- BGS SIGS and Sections with a policy role

Recent developments have revealed the need for some of the Society’s special interest groups (SIGs) and Sections to have a role in formulating policy within the overall framework of the Society.

...This as distinct from pursuing the main activity of the SIGs/Sections which focus on disease/clinical specific work. In consequence, the UKMC has decided that some SIGs/Sections may be given a role in formulating policy in accordance with the certain guidelines.

BGS Policy Committee
Within the Society it is the Policy Committee, reporting to the UK Management Committee, which is responsible for developing and recommending BGS adoption of policy. It is tasked with providing guidelines on health policy and good practice that will serve as tenets for the provision of medical care of older people across the United Kingdom. Through the national representatives on the Committee, it endeavours to achieve reasonable consistency in the application of these tenets within each nation.

Royal Colleges
Where a SIG and/or Section through its association with a formal outside organisation is deemed to be able to contribute usefully to the process of developing policy, the UKMC has conferred policy-making authority on the group.

At present the authority will only be granted to a SIG/Section which is working with members of a Royal College who have been formally identified by that College as representing its interests, and where there seems no viable alternative to communicate effectively with the Colleges on the interface of geriatric medicine with their specialty.

SIGs and Sections with a policy role will report on the policy elements of their work. to the BGS Policy Committee. They will have representation on the Policy Committe to ensure effective liaison. The will be a reciprocal arrangement of Policy Committee representation on SIG/Section Committee.

No policy document or statement will be issued or agreed by the SIG/Section with a College unless it has been approved by the Policy Committee acting on behalf of the UKMC.

At present the the Primary and Continuing Care SIG has been designated as having a policy role in respect of its work with representatives of the RCGP and their joint deliberations on the interface between geriatricians and GPs. The Cerebral Ageing and Mental Health SIG is also seen as having a policy role in respect of its work with representatives of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the provision of mental health care for older people.

Where the close involvement of a BGS National Council or cross-referencing to another standing committee is required, the mode of communication will be decided by the Policy Committee. Any other query related to overlap of work between various committees and groups will be referred to the UKMC.

Alex Mair
Chief Executive