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Welcome to the new qualification, the MRCP (Geriatric Medicine), which will make its introduction in the next year or so.
It will be available only to those who have completed a UK-based training programme in Geriatric Medicine satisfactorily (including the Knowledge Based assessment) and who are recommended to PMTB for specialist status. The final regulations for the qualification are being finalised. On the subject of the Knowledge Based Assessment, it is hoped to be able to sign the agreement between the Society and the Royal Colleges after the May meeting of the Trustees of the BGS, with the first diet being held later in the year. The proposed high cost of the examination, currently £800, will be a disappointment to trainees (see Zoe Wyrko’s article) and we are lobbying to keep the cost as low as possible.
Clinical Excellence Awards
Details of the BGS procedure for the 2009 are now available. Each year we have a number of members who miss the deadline and ask if they still can be considered. The answer is simple – no. All of you who are considering applying in the 2009 round should look at the ACCEA awards on weekly basis to make sure that you are up to date on the rules as they can (and do) change. All applicants in the 2008 round are reminded that those receiving nominations from the BGS will have to re-apply for BGS nomination for 2009 as there is no automatic carry-over.
The BGS has no formal input into the employer-based system. I would be interested in hearing from members on how the local award system can be improved. Perhaps it is perfect as I have not had any complaints!
Help the Aged
I reported last month on our partnership agreement with Help the Aged and the Memorandum of Understanding was signed on May 1st. We agreed that we would prepare joint responses to the Outcomes of the Darzi Strategic Review and to the England dementia Strategy. Charlotte Potter of Help the Aged joined us at a meeting with Ivan Lewis MP when we discussed the Dignity Campaign, our concerns about proposals arising from Our Steps, Our Future and Age Discrimination. These issues will be raised at a forthcoming meeting with Lord Darzi.
Founders Medal
It has been decided that the 2008 Founder’s medal, the Society’s highest award, should go to Prof George Adams CBE, formerly Professor of Geriatric Medicine in Belfast and the Society’s second President. He is credited with the introduction of the subject into the undergraduate curriculum and he undertook pioneering research on stroke. We hope to present the medal to him at a small gathering in his home in Oxford.
Glasgow 2008
Congratulations to David Stott and his team for organising such a splendid meeting in Glasgow with a range of talented speakers both from that city and further afield. We were able to recognise Ian Philp’s contribution to geriatric medicine as the England National Clinical Director and that of Iain Lennox and Gwyn Seymour who received the President’s Medal . It was good to see many old friends and to meet so many overseas visitors who clearly enjoyed the meeting and the Scottish hospitality.
EUGMS and IAGG
Just a reminder that the European Union Geriatric Medicine is taking place in Copenhagen in early September. I hope that as many of you as possible will come. Similarly, a reminder that the International Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology will take place in Paris in 2009. If you want to appear on the international stage, this is the place!
Presidential Election
When I stood for election the “Did Not Votes” won by a landslide. Please use your opportunity to vote in the forthcoming Presidential elections. It would be good if we could reach local election participation levels.
Peter Crome
BGS Newsletter, May 2008
Issue 16 ISSN 1748-6343 16