Mark Dexter joined the WFME as Senior Policy Adviser, on secondment from the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, from 1 September 2020. He has now completed his review of WFME, recommended where improvements to policies, processes, governance may be needed and has set out options for future development. He returned to the GMC on 7 March 2022.
Mark presented his final report to the WFME Executive Council on 17 February 2022. The report contains over 50 recommendations covering a range of strategic and operational themes including the development of a five-year plan; a programme of continuous improvement to support the Recognition Programme; scope for an increased role internationally to support agencies that adopt WFME’s standards; establishment of new governance arrangements for finance and risk management; creation of a Forum for Presidents of the six regional associations to work together and strengthen international collaboration; and proposals to increase the capacity of WFME’s administrative support function.
The Executive Council will prioritise the recommendations and reflect key developments in the proposed five-year plan. The plan will be published at WFME’s 50th anniversary Conference in April 2023.
Mark has over 30 years’ experience of working in government and regulatory bodies. As Head of Strategic Policy for Education at the GMC, he led key developments including a professional skills framework for postgraduate training (now embedded in curricula for 65 medical specialties), a major review to increase flexibility in postgraduate training pathways, and the response to a number of national service priorities including end of life care and people with eating disorders. In government Mark worked on policy to improve healthcare for people with mental illness and those who are homeless. He also spent 3 years working in the office of the UK Secretary of State for Health.
