The English Council, set up under the reform of the British Geriatrics Society has now held its first two meetings - the first in Aberdeen and the second in Cardiff (neither in England!)

The Council is made up of the regional representatives (listed below) together with an elected Chairman, Dr David Black and elected Vice Chairman, Dr James Barrett. The three major challenges facing the English Council over the next two years will be:

Ensuring good communication with the UK BGS structures, including the Policy Committee and the UK Management Committee. Getting to work on its main agenda as an interface for the British Geriatrics Society English members, with the English Department of Health on policy issues regarding older people in England. Trying to improve communication within and between the English regions and all English members of the BGS. The Council recently made decisions and progress in each of these areas. There will now be agreed cross-linkages directly from the English Council to the UKMC, with Dr Duncan Forsyth joining Dr Black and Dr Barrett on that committee. The Council will also be identifying people to attend the Policy Committee. As current English members demit from other BGS committees such as Finance, and Scientific, the English regions will be be invited to put forward and support names, and the English Council will then elect representatives from those supported volunteers.

Dr David Black

With regards to policy, the council members have clearly stated that they wish to be more directly involved, and to take some individual responsibility for pursuing policy issues on behalf of the English Council. This is to be greatly welcomed and should make the role of the council member far more rewarding for a little harder work in the future. When areas of responsibility have been clarified, these will, of course, be reported through the newsletter. In the meantime, Council members will be reporting back to their regions and getting more information on Evercare projects, activity on the Single Assessment Process, and will be debating the role of geriatric services in the A&E department at the next meeting.

Finally, the English Council is very keen to improve communication and to be entirely open about its discussions and debates. To this end, there will be more Newsletter articles such as this, but we hope, in the fairly near future, to make all documents and minutes fully available in a members only area attached to the BGS website.

I very much hope this will encourage debate and involvement in the Society’s political activities through the members of the English Council.

Dr David Black
Chairman : BGS England Council

See www.bgs-england.org.uk (website to be launched very soon)