Tuesday 15 April 2025
For some time the College has been debating the level of public response to give regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
While statements have been published on this specific issue (see notes below), various representations have continued to be made to the College’s decision-making committees, ranging from no comment should be made, to a fuller response should be given. Each approach has been carefully considered and we have listened to all different points. It is a difficult, emotive subject which our membership and the wider public are passionate about. Conflict is naturally a very emotive subject and garners strong views and the College recognises that it is impossible for it to please its entire membership on this matter.
More recently it was debated at our Council meeting in January 2025 and again at our Trustee Board on 3 April 2025, when a draft statement submitted by our Global Emergency Medicine (GEM) Committee was reviewed. Careful consideration was given to the statement and our approach, weighing up options carefully with particular regard for our charitable status, our apolitical stance and the governance in respect of the objects of the College as described in our Royal Charter.
Historically, from time to time the College has made public statements concerning humanitarian disasters associated with conflict (see below), but this has not been a consistent approach to all conflicts, commenting on Myanmar with specific relation to a doctor being held captive, Ukraine and Gaza more recently. It has not commented on the majority of other conflicts: according to the Geneva Academy which monitors armed conflicts there are currently 110 armed conflicts worldwide, some recent, some which have been ongoing for 50 years. More information can be viewed here: https://geneva-academy.ch/galleries/today-s-armed-conflicts.
As a result the College has agreed an approach on commenting on international conflicts going forward, so that the College can apply a consistent approach when such matters will sadly, inevitably, arise again.
The College has agreed that it will have a single position on all conflicts which denounces all attacks in line with the Geneva convention and refer all future issues to that position. This approach is apolitical, pragmatic and we believe fits more closely with our Royal Charter objectives (extract below), aligning also with Charity Commission guidance. It is not intended to diminish any of the horrors of any specific conflict.
Our position is as follows:
We know that for any emergency medicine colleagues working in areas of conflict, conditions are often desperate, and healthcare facilities are often subjected to direct attacks, resulting in the loss of medical staff, destruction of equipment and an inability to treat those in need.
Targeting hospitals and healthcare workers is a violation of international humanitarian law, specifically the Geneva Conventions, which protect medical services and personnel in conflict zones.
The safety of healthcare workers should never be compromised, and the sanctity of healthcare spaces must be respected by all parties involved in conflict.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine:
This approach was agreed at our Trustee Board on 3 April 2025 and is published here for transparency.
Extract from Royal Charter Objects
The objects for which the College is incorporated shall be to:
(a) advance education and research in Emergency Medicine and to publish the useful results of such research; and
(b) preserve and protect good health and to relieve sickness by improving standards of health care and providing expert guidance and advice on policy to appropriate bodies on matters relating to Emergency Medicine.
For the purpose of attaining the aforesaid objects, the College shall have power to do any lawful thing and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing shall have power:
(a) to educate medical or other health care practitioners to maintain the highest possible standards of professional competence and practice in Emergency Medicine for the protection and benefit of all the public and to conduct examinations and award certificates and diplomas;
(b) to further instruction and training in Emergency Medicine both in the United Kingdom and overseas;
(c) to act as the authoritative body in all matters of education, training, research and clinical practice in Emergency Medicine in the United Kingdom
Notes:
As a College, since 2019 we have published the following in response to conflicts:
