October Update
07 November 2019
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from John Macfie
1. Admin / Membership Manager
Helen (Crookes) is now working away on our behalf. I am confident that CBS having dedicated administrative support will be of enormous benefit to all. Please do not hesitate to contact Helen on any issue whatsoever appertaining to CBS (admin@cbsgb.co.uk)
2. Membership
Membership numbers continue to increase at a slow but steady pace. We have had 23 new Founding Fellows sign up since June.
Patrick Magennis’s initiative on offering a 50% reduction on membership costs for newly signed up Founder members has been successful. The original proposal approved by the FSSA was “FSSA will refund half of the £500 Lifetime Foundation Membership fee for the first 3 new members from each participating member surgical specialty associations”. There are a number of these Speciality Association refunds still available so please do not hesitate to apply or encourage colleagues to do so.
A new membership category for trainees has been introduced at a rate of £50 per annum if paid by annual standing order/direct debit.
Please help us to promote and grow the work of CBS by encouraging new members.
3. Surgical Expert
The first “Board” meeting of this proposed initiative will meet on December 11th. Attendees will include myself, Nigel Mercer as President FSSA, Sharon Brennan CEO cfcunderwrting, Mark Henley, President BAPRAS, Simon Downing, CEO Indigo. The aim of this meeting will be to agree a “modus operandi” and in particular to agree a mechanism to formulate a list of agreed experts.
We have already received some expressions of interest from surgeons willing to act as “experts”. Please let us know if you would like your name to go forward and we will provide further information regarding the application process.
4. GMC
CBS has, on behalf of members, been in correspondence with the GMC about two important matters, Publication and Disclosure policy with regard to MPTS website and their approach to doctors declared bankrupt.
A CBS member approached the CBS for advice. This doctor had been subject to a MPTS tribunal but completely acquitted. Concern was expressed that despite being exonerated the doctor’s name still appeared prominently on MPTS web site. A casual observer could easily misinterpret this as suggesting a problem “no smoke without fire”. Additionally, as all doctors are well aware, they have to declare being reported to the GMC, even if exonerated on application forms for merit awards, discretionary points or new appointments.
Bankruptcy is not something usually considered familiar to practising surgeons. However, we were approached recently by a surgeon who has had to re mortgage a property in order to meet legal expenses. If the case progresses and costs are awarded against the surgeon, then one option might be to be declared bankrupt.
The correspondence appertaining to these cases is on our website and is ongoing
5. How to be a Consultant Surgeon Meeting
This meeting is being organised by Richard Lovegrove. The programme looks excellent (Meeting Information). Registration is open. Please encourage senior trainees or recently appointed consultants to take a look.
The meeting is being held in the RCSEd offices in Birmingham on the 4th December. So far, we have 19 or so confirmed as attending. If we do not have around 30 registrants 2 weeks before the meeting we will be forced to cancel, so please register or help promote this meeting now!
6. Member benefits
An important aspiration of CBS is that as it grows it will be able to offer a range of member benefits. We already have the following:
Cavendish Medical, who have produced comprehensive documents on the taper and pension problems and who will provide individual financial advice at competitive rates
Medix, an insurance company set up by surgeons for surgeons in conjunction with Aston Lark will provide bespoke quotes for house, practice, association or car insurance
Ballards,an accountancy firm who we are meeting in November to negotiate special terms for CBS members.
7. Social media
We now have a Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram (@uksurgeons) accounts and are on LinkedIN. Please interact with these social media feeds and let us know your opinions on pertinent issues regarding the surgical world.
8. Blogs
Our social media team, Wavelength, have put together a blog following a recent news article regarding the role of SCP’s. Please have a read of this blog on the CBS website - Tighter Controls for SCP's - and feedback any comments you may have.
9. Lectures
The topic of CBS and the rationale for surgeons having their own trade union was discussed at a recent meeting of the Surgical Forum of UK and Ireland and is scheduled to be discussed at the Liverpool and NW Surgical Society next month. If you are a CBS member and would like a copy of the presentation, please contact Helen (admin@cbsgb.co.uk)
CBS is potentially an organisation which could significantly improve the working conditions of surgeons. It can do this as a registered trade union. CBS is not in competition with Colleges or Associations which have an entirely different role. CBS, however, cannot succeed without your support.
John MacFie Oct 2019
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