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The BGS Spring scientific meeting in Bournemouth was a triumph. The conference centre was superb, the ambience friendly and the quality of the lectures and presentations was of the highest order.

I wish to thank Michael Vassallo and his team for all the hard work in planning such an excellent meeting, and not forgetting the team of Hampton Medical Conferences who so ably ensure that we are fed, watered and shepherded around to where we have to be!

Everyone I spoke to was pleased with the conference. The interactive sessions were deservedly popular and the talks given by high profile speakers were first rate.

I received a lovely letter from Dr Arnold who organised a previous conference at Bournemouth 40 years ago. Things were different then: there were just over 100 delegates, mostly male and many from the Indian sub-continent (the enormous contribution to British Geriatrics by our Asian colleagues has perhaps not received the recognition it deserves). Many brought their wives and they enjoyed a lively social programme (even senior members of the Society escaped the lecture rooms for a cream tea in Dorset - no CPD forms to sign in those days!) Many geriatricians then were single handed and worked in poor quality accommodation with inadequate staffing levels. They arrived at the venue battle-fatigued and an important aspect of the conference was to refresh front line staff and give them energy to continue their vital work - at least until the next meeting in six months’ time.

The scientific meetings have grown in size and stature and feature updates and relevant science as well as new ideas for improving practice. They show the spirit of the BGS at its best. If you have not got into the habit of attending them regularly, do consider making these events an important part of your academic year. The next meeting will be in Harrogate from 7th to 9th October; why not put the date in your diary now?

Where are we going?
The opening session was an opportunity for me not only to welcome everyone (especially overseas visitors, from 25 countries) but also to outline strategic plans for the next two years. In essence, I would like to increase the profile of the Society; forge closer links with charities; combat the anti-medical social model of elderly care; build on the talents and skills of younger members and strengthen the relationship between the four countries and the regions and the Society’s centre at Marjory Warren House. We should be more vocal in championing the highest standards of care for old people, promoting dignity and combating injustice and inequality. I am also working towards a more federal model of running the BGS, with key people acting as leaders across a range of topics. Already a dozen people have offered their services - I will write more on this in the next issue.

Geriatrics in a cold climate
The financial crisis may present us with the biggest challenge that our specialty has faced for some time. In Bournemouth, Prof Allen McLean from Notre Dame University in Sydney pointed out that the current health budget could not sustain the big cohort of old people. His interesting cost analyses showed that a Mediterranean diet is much more effective than statins or aspirin in preventing heart attacks. Also, if people aged 64 worked for one more year, this would add ten percent to the GDP. Prof Martin Marshall (standing in at the last minute for Baroness Barbara Young) said that health funding will be stable for the next two years, but after that there will be major changes. This will mean cuts in staff and services and acceleration in the move away from hospitals to community care.

We should begin to think seriously about the threats that this will pose to elderly care and ways in which they could be mitigated. The Policy Committee will be debating this subject but we need as much help as possible if we are to develop coherent strategies for coping with the inevitable cut-backs. Please contact me if you have any suggestions.

EUGMS
The first day of the Bournemouth conference was triple badged, with the International Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology (IAGG) and the European Union Geriatric Medical Society (EUGMS) sharing the session with the BGS. The afternoon was devoted to advances in dementia. It was interesting to learn that one third of non-demented subjects have the same number of plaques as those with dementia. Perhaps the plaques are innocent bystanders? The tauists are currently in the ascendancy.

You might wish to view the EUGMS website. The next meeting is in Glasgow, on end of life care - the date for your diary is 17-18 September 2009.

BGS Wales
My first presidential visit was to Wales. I was delighted to be invited to the national meeting in Aberystwyth in March. I received a warm welcome and was impressed with the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of the younger members, as well as the senior Geriatricians. Welsh Geriatricians have made - and continue to make - a huge contribution to services and research, as well as being key figures on the national scene. The close links with Age Concern Wales and the Welsh Assembly are to be applauded.

Professor Bim Bhowmick OBE is working hard in retirement and has set up a model system of community care. He assesses about 1,400 elderly people each year and is able to prevent a thousand hospital admissions. He liaises closely with GPs, has helped health and social services to combine, and ensures that politicians, managers and clinicians are aware of his pioneering initiatives. It is fitting that Bim’s developments recently received a prestigious Bupa Foundation award. Pradeep Khanna is also very active in community Geriatrics in Gwent. The plan is for every SpR in Wales to be trained in community geriatrics in Gwent for six months

Professor John Pathy
It is with sadness that we recently heard of the death of John Pathy. John made a truly astonishing contribution to geriatric medicine. His text book is internationally recognised. He had a passion for research and influenced countless trainees. He chaired Age Concern Wales for 25 years - and even ran a smallpox unit in Cardiff! The BGS office in Wales is named after him, as is a day ward at Rookwood hospital. I greatly enjoyed examining the Diploma in Geriatric Medicine with him: he had a gentle style and wore his learning lightly. He was active and productive to the last. May he rest in peace.

Congratulations
To John Campbell, whose superb studies on falls have been acknowledged by the Royal College of Physicians of London, by conferring upon him an Honorary Fellowship. An accolade for John and his family, Otago University, New Zealand and Geriatrics generally.

Congratulations too, to Roger Briggs, emeritus professor of Geriatrics at Southampton, on receiving the President’s medal at the dinner in Bournemouth. Roger has nurtured numerous trainees, done excellent research on dementia and other neurological diseases, runs the Southampton Ageing project and always promoted Geriatrics. My pleasure in presenting him with a medal was exceeded only by his surprise in being publicly honoured.

Welcome to Iona-Jane Harris, who has just started work as the BGS Press, PR and Parliamentary Affairs officer. She will be visiting the four nations and the regions and will make a huge difference to the promotion of our Society and the skills, enthusiasm and values of its members

Graham Mulley

BGS Newsletter, May 2009
Issue 21 ISSN 1748-6343 21