Presidents Message

Scarborough was a sunshine conference for many reasons. We were able to announce the arrival of two new strategic alliance partners, Abbott and Anetic Aid, membership rose to over 440 and we really did have sunshine, as those who attended will testify. Over one hundred abstracts were submitted and, for the first time in many a year, we were able to run triple parallel sessions for the free papers. The Plenary Prize for best oral abstract presentation was won by Medical Student Tabara Dione with a presentation entitled “The financial argument for day surgery:illustrated using inguinal hernia repairs”. The best poster prize went to Mr. Hemadri for “Single visit service for daycase and short stay surgery: encouraging preliminary results”. Congratulations to both of these delegates who confirmed the ever rising standard of the presentations. BADS-labelled surgical courses for local anaesthetic hernia repair are now up and running with a healthy waiting list for delegates. Our first course was held in Milton Keynes in May this year and was a truly hands-on course. Not only did the delegates learn the practical tips of the local anaesthetic technique, but the associated presentations covered the important topics of local anaesthesia agent selection, dosage, complications and toxicity – an eye opener for many! Not to be outdone, your immediate Past President, Ian Jackson, and his anaesthetic colleagues are developing a course for trainee anaesthetists interested in the short stay pathway. They are also approaching the Royal College of Anaesthetists to develop a modular training programme in anaesthesia. Good luck to them! At the Council meeting on the eve of the conference, a unanimous decision was taken for BADS to publish a textbook of day surgery and we are currently in negotiation with several well known publishers to seek the best way forward for the organisation. Time schedules are tight, but watch this space. The work of Council continues to expand. On a practical point, it has become impossible to deal with all aspects of BADS’ involvement in 4–5 Council meetings per year. We have made the decision to co-opt BADS members for specific, finite tasks (for example, contributing to BADS booklets, textbook, course faculty and representing BADS at national meetings). Many of you gave me your contact details at Scarborough – please resubmit these details to the BADS office to ensure nobody has been missed. If you haven’t thought about becoming involved yet – this is your chance! MR DOUG MCWHINNIE