The needs of new consultants

This editorial discusses the needs of new consultants with reference to existing research and attempts made to meet these needs both within the Royal College of Psychiatrists and elsewhere. Some future challenges for new consultant psychiatrists are identified and discussed. Initiatives that can help meet their needs on a personal and also on an organisational level are suggested. A call is made for new consultants to take control of their own destiny using tried and tested methods and thereby creating hope for their future.