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The first BGS National Trainees’ weekend for many years was held at the Marriot Hotel in Worsley, Manchester at the end of June.

What began as an “over coffee discussion” at the BGS Spring Meeting in Birmingham last year (Jed Rowe is to blame for this), developed into this two-day event which has been declared an outstanding success.

Trainees from as far afield as Aberdeen and London made the journey to Manchester to hear nationally - renowned figures in geriatric medicine present subjects as diverse as aspects of geriatric clinical practice to the recent changes in training with Modernising Medical Careers.

Saturday morning began with a welcome from co-host Dr Sally Briggs, former Chair of the Trainees Committee. She introduced Dr Ed Dunstan who began proceedings with a discussion on the concept of frailty and its relationship to geriatric medicine. This was a difficult topic, covered well. Dr Jessica Beavan concluded the session by considering how we might want to be preventing frailty in the first place. She suggested the use of “Prehabilitation” as a means of attempting this, leaving us all reaching for our Su-Doku and crossword puzzles.

We were delighted to have Dr Adrian Wagg, Chair of the Bladder and Bowel Special Interest Group talk to the meeting on the management of urinary incontinence. During a very informative presentation he also argued strongly that this was not such as benign condition as it seems and reminded us how simple management interventions might have significant impact on patients under our care.

Professor Margot Gosney spoke on the relationship between nutrition and disease in the older people, and in particular the effects of minerals and trace elements in the diet. Her description of the nutritional management of in-patients under her care made many of us reflect on our own units, and how we might go about improving this ourselves.

Lunch provided ample opportunity to meet other Trainees and discuss the morning presentations in more detail.

In the afternoon, co-chair Dr Emily Feilding introduced Professor Jennifer Adgey from Belfast, who talked about the management of Acute Coronary Syndromes. Dr Jed Rowe next took to the floor to give an entertaining talk about gait disorders and mobility problems in the older people. With the assistance of video clips he described how we should be thinking about classifying different gait disorders, and in particular those higher level gait disorders associated with cerebrovascular disease. It was satisfying to have what is a complex subject approached in a logical manner (and with a nod of the head to Bernard Isaacs at the same time).

The end of the day was completed by Dr Duncan Forsyth enthusiastically discussing delirium in a presentation entitled “Bewitched, bothered and bewildered”. It’s not often that one listens to music during presentations in order to illustrate something, but Dr Forsyth did this very eloquently and brought the day to a refreshing close.

Before the evening meal there was another chance to socialise with other delegates at the drinks reception and discover how training works in other areas of the country. The initial absence of Dr Jerry Playfer caused some anxiety, although this was allayed on his arrival to a warm round of applause during the second course. After dinner there was an open session with Dr Playfer around the issue of what the BGS can do for Trainees. This was continued in the bar afterwards, and by some accounts into the small hours of the morning.

On the Sunday morning Drs Oliver Corrado and Chris Turnbull took the meeting through the current changes with Modernising Medical Careers. There was general agreement that they made a very complicated and contentious issue much clearer, with opportunity for questions and debate. At this time of great change geriatricians need to use MMC to create opportunities for the specialty to promote itself and recruit high quality physicians to the field.

After coffee, Dr Jayne Wainwright gave a comprehensive presentation on Stroke, with particular emphasis on management issues and an intriguing glimpse into future treatment options and opportunities.

The final session of the meeting was introduced by Dr Jessica Beavan. Dr Jonathan Treml describing from first hand the highs and lows of starting as a consultant geriatrician in the NHS. He provided great tips, including advice about interview preparation and what to do (and what not to do) on commencing a post.

Feedback from the delegates was unanimously positive. The weekend was a huge success, and plans are already in place for another similar event next year; so watch this space!

Our thanks to speakers and delegates for attending the event and to Sanofi-Aventis for their invaluable support.

Sandy Thomson
SpR Geriatric Medicine
North-Western Deanery