The meeting was chaired by Juan Ballesteros, new Chairman of FASSGEM
1.APOLOGIES
Received from Eileen Fantom
2.PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was raised that copies of the previous AGM�s minutes had not been received by some members. They had been sent out by Andrew Newton some time ago � there appears to be a problem with some trusts� computer systems blocking out mass emailings.
It was noted that the minutes had been available on the web site for several months.
The minutes of the 2005 AGM were approved.
3.No matters arising from the minutes.
4. REPORTS �
a) Immediate Past Chair � Andrew Newton
Andrew tabled his report, which is available on the web site.
Highlights of this: the fact that we have been included in the merged College is a sea change in the way we are seen. We are now welcome at all levels, as opposed to the previous nominal acknowledgement of our group. This change has taken place over
5-6 years, with first representation on Council, then at Executive meetings and now the Publications committee.
Also highlighted was the fact that we have to rise to meet challenges, including that of revalidation. We were reminded that in order to be accredited for CPD, we needed to be College members.
The new contract � dealt with elsewhere.
The Spring 2024 meeting will be held at Churchill House.
b) Chair � Juan Ballesteros
Juan thanked Andrew for all his hard work and added that in the future all post-dinner parties would be held in the Immediate Past Chair�s room.
He gave us a summary of his 15 year career in A&E � became a Staff Grade Doctor in 1995. His consultant wanted to upgrade him in 1996, but he wasn�t eligible. He did, however, apply for optional points and was awarded 4 at once. He became an Associate Specialist in 2002, gained 2 discretionary points in 2004 and also became part of the consultant rota that year. He became his department�s clinical lead for Paediatrics in 2005 and that year was elected, unopposed, to Chair Elect.
The development of FASSGEM has given us the pride to stand up and do things for ourselves. It started 13 years ago because several consultants believed in us, went on to our first independent (non-consultant led) conference in Plymouth in 2001 and continued with increasing numbers attending the conference each year. However, since the Wakefield conference, numbers of delegates have been dropping. Those of us who are active within FASSGEM need to go away and encourage and activate our �dormant� colleagues. We need to maintain our high level of recognition and take pride in it. The need to be a College member for recertification purposes was mentioned.
c) Secretary � Caroline Shaw
Ongoing problems trying to get up to date email addresses as some people just do not give the correct address, or don�t answer emails. Please encourage all your colleagues to keep us up to date. It was agreed that the list of conference delegates could be used to help update the lists.
Will it be easier to keep the database up to date once College membership is a requirement? Not clear � certainly the BAEM database has been out of date in the past.
d)Website Officer � Beth Threlfall
No response as yet to appeals for members to send information to be put on site. It was suggested that the Home Page could be made more attractive � this will be discussed with the web operator.
e) BMA Rep � Meng Aw Wong
Talked about the proposed new contract. Road shows to be held. Ready reckoner available to calculate what salary will be.
A few specific comments: Note that progression up 1st five rungs of ladder for Staff Grades will be automatic, assuming one has shown evidence of appraisal and CPD. Note that 360 degree appraisals will only be prequisites for those working in trusts that are carrying these out. There will be a supplementary payment for on-call work and pay at time and 1/3 for out of hours work (outwith 0700 � 1900).All pay will be pensionable.
Not everyone is happy about the minimum number of PAs for CPD being only 1.
Stressed that it is very important that everyone makes up their own mind and votes.
f) CEM Rep � Nick Howarth
Agreed that people listen to us now and feels we are now more embedded than the trainees. SAS doctors have been included on the PMETB panels.
Exam regulations have been changed � SAS doctors are able to sit for the exams when not in recognized training posts.
It has been noted that several exam candidates were woefully unprepared. Applications for the exam now need to be signed by your post-graduate tutor.
Nick and Andrew have both been asked whether the SAS group could possibly provide examiners for MCEM.
Note that Nick is to continue as CEM Rep for now (in the past, Andrew would have now moved to this post).
g) Publications Committee � Adel Aziz
In a transition phase at present. A new chairman is to be appointed and development of the website is planned. The committee has been quieter recently.
h) Merger board Reps � Andrew and Nick
Have managed to get to most meetings.
i) Conference Organiser � Andrew
Please fill in feedback forms. Suggestions are needed for the Spring Meeting.
Expects that a small profit will have been made from this conference.
5) REVISED VERSION OF CONSTITUTION
Carried. The question of what to do if a FASSGEM member becomes a consultant is a separate issue and needs consideration in the future.
6) REGIONAL REPS REPORTS
CEM is going to change the regions � decision made to wait for this before revising our current structure. In the future, regional reps will be on the local board of CEM and will have more meetings to attend and will have a higher profile.
7) MMC
There is concern that this is going to lead to the development of a new version of the Staff Grade doctor of the past � may involve Trust Grade and other non-standard grades. In the future, a new group, with a new name, may be needed.
8) NEW CONTRACT
Meng spoke about this in 4e} above. There was also a session devoted to this topic during the Thursday morning of the conference.
9) PMETB - Juan
Have devolved decision-making to the individual colleges. For Emergency Medicine, they�ve divided the country into four regions � in each region there is a panel, with three consultants and one SAS doctor (usually the regional rep.) There had been concern that there could potentially be conflict of interest. This shouldn�t happen, particularly as an individual�s application wouldn�t be seen by that person�s local panel � it will be sent to another region�s panel for assessment.
Should you apply? Read the guidelines! You need to demonstrate that you work at CCST level in Emergency Medicine. The college has made it very tight so there shouldn�t be any difference between an SpR and a PMETB applicant when applying for consultant jobs.
One does not have to have a higher exam to apply. If you wish to do an exam, do the A&E one.
Your application must match your CV. The application form is highly organised and must be filled in exactly � they can be very picky and despite your best efforts you may experience the frustration of getting back a letter saying that your application is incomplete � this may happen several times.
5 referees plus one reserve are needed � choose your referees very carefully.
N.B.Many of today�s consultants wouldn�t make it through the PMETB process of FCEM. The presence of an SAS doctor on the panel is a very good buffer as the consultants can be very critical.
So far there have been 18 applicants in total� 9 have progressed through to the panel stage.
3 have successfully gone through. Andrew was the first one and Juan the second to achieve it. We�ve no details on the third. ? from Ireland.
Progression to a consultant post has not as yet been tested.
Advice from Andrew � keep a logbook!
10) MCEM, FCEM EXAMS
Get the appropriate information and study the syllabus � be properly prepared.
11) FUTURE MEETINGS
Spring Conference May 18th, Churchill House, London
2024 FASSGEM Conference � Norwich 20th � 23rd November Being organised by Caroline Shaw.
2008 - ?Scarborough.
No other business was raised. The meeting closed at 1327.
