Annual Report
2013
Association of British Neurologists
May 2014
ABN ANNUAL REPORT 2013
Contents
Page
President’s Introduction
ABN Strategy 2013
AGM Agenda, 8 May 2014
Minutes of AGM, 23 May 2013
New Members, changes and deaths 2014
Reports:
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
Services & Standards Committee
Meetings Committee
Training & Education Committee
Clinical Research & Academic Committee &
British Neurological Surveillance Unit
Association of British Neurology Trainees - ABNT
JRCPTB Neurology – SAC in Neurology
ABN Sections
2
4
5
6
9
12
12
13
15
16
16
18
18
19
List of ABN Council Members
ABN Office Staff
21
21
Appendices:
1.
Council Minutes 2013-14
2.
List of Honorary and Honorary Foreign Members
3.
List of ABN Sections
22
46
47
Date of publication
May 2014
Association of British Neurologists
Ormond House, 27 Boswell Street, London WC1N 3JZ
020 7405 4060 email: [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 1077893
Company No. 3816842
Registered office: Ormond House, 27 Boswell Street, London WC1N 3JZ
-1-
President’s Introduction
This introduction serves to review the activities of the Association in 2013. It seems appropriate to use
the ABN Strategy that was introduced at our last AGM as the framework for this review (the summary
of the Strategy is appended) whilst focusing on the issues from this last year.
To improve clinical neurological services
The effects of the Health and Social Care Bill are percolating through the system bringing widespread
changes in their wake. The Specialty Sections and the Services and Standards Committee have been
working to produce ABN Quality Standards and a Commissioning Toolkit to facilitate the commissioning
process.
An audit and revalidation committee has been set up as a subcommittee of the SSC and has had its
first meeting. We are in the process of setting up a group to facilitate the development of guidelines.
We have undertaken a survey of acute neurology services (thank you to all of you who contributed)
that, for the first time, provides a national overview of availability of acute neurological services. We
hope this will provide data to inform service developments.
To provide leadership in neurology
The specialty Sections have proved to be very effective and efficient in providing responses to the
many consultations that the ABN has received - many thanks to all those involved, in particular the
Chairs of the Sections.
We have been working closely with the Neurological Alliance, with regular teleconferences. We are
grateful for their expertise and support.
Our collaborations with other professional societies have continued. This year we ran a conference with
the Royal College of Physicians on Acute Neurology attended by over 200 delegates. This autumn we
are holding a meeting in conjunction with the British Association of Stroke Physicians in Stratfordupon- Avon.
We are delighted that there has been an increase in the number of Special Interest Groups and
affiliated societies – now too many to list here. This year these subspecialty organisations have been
given a session within this Annual Meeting. The sessions they have proposed look outstanding – we
may need more time and space for this in the future – particularly if this opportunity prompts other
special interest groups to form (as we hope it will).
To champion outstanding training and education in neurology
The Annual Meeting in Glasgow was attended by over 600 delegates and was very well received. The
trainee half day and inaugural GP teaching session were successful. The Autumn Meeting was made up
of 2 parts, a teaching day devoted to acute neurology run with the RCP, and a day of lectures mixing
science and clinical practice – going from ‘Bench to bedside’. Both were very well attended and
evaluated. Thank you to all those who contributed.
The Shape of Training review has been the source of considerable concern and we have made very
strong representations to the Royal College of Physicians to prevent the dilution of neurological training
proposed. This is the subject of debate at the meeting and will be revisited during the AGM.
The future of neurology depends on our trainees. We are keen to engage with medical students and
junior doctors before they become specialist registrars by providing junior and student membership.
The ABNT is launching a mentoring scheme to try to encourage and support junior doctors interested in
neurology.
-2-
To promote world class research in clinical neurosciences
We are pleased to announce the launch of the ABN Clinical Research Fellowship Fund. We believe this
will allow us to encourage and support young neurologists going into research. You will be hearing
more about this initiative from Huw Morris and Lionel Ginsberg who have been instrumental in its
inception.
To represent and promote the aims of the Association internationally
The ABN has provided speakers for the Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists and been involved in an
exchange programme with the Association of Brazilian Neurologists. This is a useful opportunity to
remind members of the travel fellowships that are available that have funded members going to
Mozambique and Sudan this year. The ABN Australasian Fellowships have provided the opportunity for
registrars to spend some time training in the southern hemisphere.
Other issues
The strategy review also made some recommendations for the governance of the organisation and as a
result we were delighted to appoint Elisabeth Baltay and Lord Stanley Fink as our two lay Trustees.
The Association has already benefited significantly from their expertise and experience and we are very
grateful for their time and energy.
There have been elections to the Training and Education Committee and to the Clinical Research and
Academic Committee both of which are now based on geographical representation.
We have upgraded our website and the new website is being launched at this meeting. We hope you
find it more flexible and useful.
None of this could have been done without the support of the ABN office. Our new Executive Director
Joanne Lawrence has achieved a remarkable amount in the short time since her arrival. I would like to
thank our long term office staff Dawn and Josie for their continued efforts on our behalf.
Finally I would like to thank my fellow Officers and Council members and all of you who have worked
for the Association on Committees and in the Sections. In particular I would like to thank Martin
Rossor for his support and advice as immediate past President, Gareth Llewelyn who has completed 6
years as SSC Chair and Ralph Gregory who is completing his term as Hon Secretary.
Dr Geraint Fuller
President 2013-2015
-3-
Association of British Neurologists Strategy 2013
Mission: ‘to promote excellent standards of care, and champion high-quality education and world-class
research in neurology.’
1) To



improve clinical neurological services, by
encouraging the nationwide availability of excellent, patient-centred services in neurology;
setting and promoting evidence-based standards for neurological care;
supporting members in developing and delivering high quality services.
2) To




provide leadership in neurology, by
providing an expert voice to represent neurology to Government and other agencies;
promoting public engagement and involvement with neurology ;
facilitating links with other professional societies involved in neurology;
collaborating with neurological charities in advocacy for neurological services.
3) To champion outstanding training and education in neurology, by
 providing and supporting high quality continuing neurology education, disseminating
neurological research and sharing best practice;
 setting and promoting high standards of training;
 encouraging the best neurological education and training in medical schools and medical
training programmes.
4) To





promote world class research in clinical neurosciences, by
supporting trainee and trained neurologists in both independent and collaborative research;
enabling patients to participate in research;
promoting and co-ordinating research training in neurology;
providing a forum to present, discuss and develop collaborative research
promoting collaborative neurological research, lobbying for neurological research funding and
translation into practice
5) To represent and promote the aims of the Association internationally, by
 establishing links with, and offering support to, comparable associations overseas, both
individually and through European or global organizations;
 encouraging and supporting international collaborations to develop neurological care, education,
and research
-4-
ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH NEUROLOGISTS
Annual General Meeting
Company No 3816842 Registered Charity No 1077893
to be held in accordance with the Companies Act
Thursday 8 May at 1545hrs
Millennium Centre, Cardiff
AGENDA
1
Election of Honorary Assistant Secretary 2014-16, Honorary Secretary 2016-18
Election of Honorary Treasurer Elect 2014-15, Honorary Treasurer 2015-19
2
Officers of Council for 2014-15
President
President
Honorary
Honorary
Honorary
Honorary
Elect
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Treasurer Elect
Chair, Services and Standards Committee
Chair, Training and Education Committee
Chair, Clinical Research & Academic Committee
Dr G Fuller
Professor P Smith
Dr H Manji
to be announced
Professor L Ginsberg
to be announced
2013-15
2013-15
2014-16
2014-16
2011-15
2014-15
Dr RP Gregory
Dr RJ Davenport
Professor HR Morris
2014-17
2013-16
2012-15
3
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, Thursday 23 May, SECC, Glasgow
Matters Arising
4
Nominations for Membership of the Association
5
President’s Report
6
Treasurer’s Report
To consider and adopt Annual Accounts
To re-appoint Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co as auditors
To authorise the Directors to agree auditors’ remuneration for forthcoming year
7
Association Rules
To discuss and vote upon proposed amendments to the Rules
8
ABN Strategy for Development
To discuss and vote upon Practical Neurology proposal
9
Introduction to the European Academy of Neurology, Professor R Hughes
10
Shape of Training
To discuss and vote upon ABN response to Shape of Training document.
11
Date of the next Annual General Meeting:
May 2015, Harrogate
-5-
Association of British Neurologists (ABN)
Annual General Meeting
Glasgow, 2013
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd May 2013 at 1600hrs. Minutes
(unconfirmed):
The Directors (Professor M Rossor, Dr R Gregory and Professor L Ginsberg) met at the Scottish Exhibition and
Conference Centre on 23rd May 2013. They approved and signed the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31
December 2012. The Directors resolved that the approved accounts should be put before Members at the Annual
General Meeting. A letter of representation to the auditors was approved and signed by the Honorary Treasurer
on behalf of the Directors.
Professor Martin Rossor opened the meeting at 1602hrs and confirmed that the meeting was quorate. Professor
Rossor invited those members present to stand in memory of their late colleagues: Dr J Anderson, Dr B Ashworth,
Dr R Clifford Rose, Professor C Earl, Dr J Foster, Dr N Gilchrist, Dr J Hallpike, Dr P Harvey, Dr K Heathfield,
Professor R Kocen, Dr I McQueen, Dr J Morgan-Hughes, Dr J Phemister, Professor C Miller Fisher, Dr M Wilkinson
and Dr H Staunton.
Professor Rossor demitted as President of the Association and handed over to Dr Geraint Fuller.
1.
Election of President Elect 2013-15, President 2015-17
The President congratulated and welcomed Professor Phil Smith as President Elect 2013-15 and President 201517.
2.
Officers of Council for 2013-14
The Officers of Council for 201-2014 were approved:
President
President Elect
Immediate Past President
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Assistant Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
Dr G Fuller
Professor P Smith
Professor M Rossor
Dr R Gregory
Dr H Manji
Professor L Ginsberg
2013-2015
2013-2015
2013-2014
2012-2014
2012-2014
2011-2015
Chair, Services and Standards Committee
Chair, Training and Education Committee
Chair, Clinical Research & Academic Committee
Dr G Llewelyn
Dr R Davenport
Professor H Morris
2011-2014
2013-2016
2012-2015
3.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 30 May 2012, The Brighton Centre,
Brighton
Matters Arising
The President accepted the minutes of the previous meeting as an accurate record.
Proposer: Ralph Gregory.
4.
Nominations for Membership of the Association.
The President welcomed the members to the Association and members approved the following nominations:
Ordinary Members (new)
Associate Members (new)
Overseas Members (new)
Overseas Members (from AM and OM)
Affiliate Members (new)
Ordinary Members (from AM)
7
77
3
7
4
39
ABN Membership as at 31st December 2012 stood at:
Honorary UK:
Honorary Foreign:
Senior:
Ordinary:
28
52
196
706
-6-
Overseas:
Associate:
New Member:
62
431
42
Total:
1517
5.
President’s Report
The President paid tribute to Professor Rossor and thanked him for his commitment and high standards of
professionalism during his tenure as President of the Association. Dr Fuller also welcomed Joanne Lawrence to the
Association as Executive Director and thanked her for her hard work within the ABN office so far. Dr Fuller
explained to Members that the role of the sections is to formulate responses to consultations by responding
quickly to requests and he thanked them for their hard work and support. Dr Fuller welcomed Dr David Bateman
to his new role as National Clinical Director and wished him well in this regard.
6.
Treasurer’s report
Professor Ginsberg explained to Members that the purpose of his report was to adopt the Annual Accounts, to
reappoint our auditors, and to agree remuneration for the forthcoming year. The Treasurer reported a reserve of
£704,000. Professor Ginsberg reiterated that we need to maintain a reserve that is one to two times our annual
expenditure. The Treasurer stated that expenditure was stable apart from unexpected additional expenditure for
2012, including consultancy fees, legal fees, accountancy, increase in subscriptions and bad debt. Professor
Ginsberg also updated Members on the various recent challenges, including the SCE exam and our relationship
with pharma. Professor Ginsberg relayed to Members that if we were to remove our connection with pharma,
members’ subscriptions would be increased, and due to our reliance on pharma income, registration fee for the
annual meetings would be very expensive.
The Treasurer welcomed a discussion around the idea of funding a research fellowship. Professor Ginsberg
explained that a fellowship costs £50k per year per fellow, so a total of £150k per year, which is not sustainable.
Professor Alastair Compston voice the opinion that stakeholders have withdrawn from the scheme because of the
ABN’s lack of financial contribution to the fellowships scheme. The Treasurer agreed but explained the ABN’s
administrative and academic contributions to the scheme. Professor Ginsberg broached the idea that subscriptions
could be gift aided, and the gift aided money could be put towards a fellowship.
7.
Articles of Association and Rules
The President explained that there were some inconsistencies between the articles and the rules. The articles
define the association and require legal advice to change, the rules are how we run the association and they can
be changed at each AGM. Dr Fuller sought permission from members to remove the rules from the articles and
rewrite the rules to reflect the changes. He also asked permission to employ two lay trustees. The President
explained to Members that the description of Senior Member has changed from ‘retirement age of 65’ to ‘NHS
retirement’
Proposer: Lionel Ginsberg, Seconder: Ralph Gregory
The President asked Members for permission to introduce regional representatives for the Clinical Research and
Academic Committee and the Training and Education Committee.
Proposer: Alan Thompson, Seconder: Luke Bennetto
Dr Fuller asked Members for permission to introduce a new category for medical students.
Graham Warner asked if we would charge the medical students for membership, Dr Fuller stated that he was only
asking for Members to allow the category to be created, with the finer details to be discussed and decided in the
future.
Proposer: Richard Butterworth, Seconder: Adam Zeman
8.
ABN Strategy for Development
The Honorary Secretary spoke about the proposal from BMJ that the ABN becomes joint owner of the journal,
Practical Neurology, and confirmed that the ABN does not currently own a journal. He explained that Practical
Neurology is currently distributed to our membership free of charge by BMJ, but that this cannot continue due to
financial constraints. The Honorary Secretary stressed that BMJ are apologetic and he asked for permission from
the membership to allow us to negotiate with Practical Neurology.
Proposer: Steve Wroe, Seconder: Richard Davenport
The President opened the discussion about widening the membership of the ABN and asked the membership’s
permission to explore this further. Roberto Guilloff raised concerns including a potential loss of focus through
expansion of membership. He queried the definition of Senior Members and challenged the requirement to resign
-7-
ABN Ordinary Membership on reaching NHS retirement age, noting that retirement from the NHS does not
necessarily mean retirement from private practice. Colin Mumford expressed concern that expansion should not
compromise the calibre of the association, advising that the strategy should be managed very carefully, as future
meetings could be very different with a wider membership. Further feedback from members included the
suggestions that Members should have the opportunity to choose to become a senior member or to continue
paying the fee for Ordinary membership, that members should achieve senior status on surrendering their license,
that senior members should retain their vote on resigning Ordinary member status. Lord Walton stated that he
has been a senior member of the Association for 25 years and he still has a license to practice. Other members
supported the proposed changes. Dr Heather Angus-Leppan supported the suggestion that the proposal should be
explored and defined in greater detail before any membership vote.
9.
Other Items for Discussion
There were no other items of discussion.
10.
Date of the next Annual General Meeting: 8 May 2014, Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
The meeting closed at 1703hrs.
-8-
NEW MEMBERS, CHANGES AND DEATHS 2014
ORDINARY
Dr
Rhiannon
Morris
Consultant Neurologist
Southampton General Hospital
Dr
Asra
Siddiqui
Consultant Neurologist
Lewisham Hospital
Dr
Danute
Kucinskiene
Consultant Neurologist
Raigmore Hospital
ASSOCIATE
Dr
Nagaraja
Sarangmat
Specialist Registrar
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Dr
Michael
Kinney
Specialist Registrar
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Dr
Angela
Dawson
Specialist Registrar
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Dr
Thomas
Lambert
Specialist Registrar
University Hospital of North Staffordshire
Dr
Matthew
Harris
Specialist Registrar
Southampton General Hospital
Dr
Thomas
Massey
Specialist Registrar
Morriston Hospital
Dr
Alexander
Shah
Specialist Registrar
Derriford Hospital
Dr
John
Baker
Specialist Registrar
Royal Cornwall Hospital
Dr
Richard
Booth Ellis
Specialist Registrar
Walton Centre, Liverpool
Dr
Helen
Grote
Specialist Registrar
St George's Hospital
Dr
Simon
Bell
Specialist Registrar
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Dr
Xuya
Huang
Clinical Research Fellow
Southern General Hospital
Dr
Aaron
Sturrock
Specialist Registrar
New Cross Hospital
Dr
Andreas
Roussakis
Specialist Registrar
Hammersmith Hospital
Dr
Antonio
Bastida
Specialist Registrar
Hammersmith Hospital
Dr
Devipriya
Rathnasabathi
Specialist Registrar
Wessex Neurological Centre
Dr
Brython
Hywel
Specialist Registrar
Walton Centre, Liverpool
Dr
Mark
Jeffries
Specialist Registrar
University Hospital Coventry
Dr
Bazo
Raheem
Specialist Registrar
Dr
Karen
Suetterlin
Clinical Research Fellow
Darent Valley Hospital
MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease
NNH
Dr
Stefan
Williams
Specialist Registrar
Pinderfields Hospital
Dr
Aseel
Al-Ansari
Specialist Registrar
Morriston Hospital
Dr
Angad
Singh
Specialist Registrar
East Surrey Hospital
AFFILIATE
Dr
Said
Al-Adawi
Int. Training Fellow
Royal London Hospital
Dr
Zhongbo
Chen
Academic Clinical Fellow
Kings College Hospital
Dr
Daniyal
Daud
FY Dr
James Cooke University Hospital
Dr
Mark
Ellul
Walton Centre, Liverpool
Dr
Kate
Hellier
Academic Clinical Fellow
Consultant Stroke
Physician
Dr
Rachael
Kee
Royal Victoria Hospital
Dr
Nazir
Khan
CMT2
Senior Clinical Research
Fellow
Dr
Shiwen (Junie)
Koay
CT
North Middlesex University Hospital
Dr
Oliver
Leach
Clinical Research Fellow
John Radcliffe Hospital
Dr
Sze Hway
Lim
Clinical Fellow
St George's Hospital
Dr
Grace
McMacken
GT1
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Dr
Matthew
Nour
FY2 Academic
John Radcliffe Hospital
Dr
Michael
O'Gara
Core Medical Trainee
John Radcliffe Hospital
Dr
Harri
Sivasathiaseelan
CT2
Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross
Dr
Jonathan
Virgo
CT2
St George's Hospital
-9-
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Morriston Hospital
Dr
Charlotte
Walker
CT1
St George's Hospital
Dr
Ione
Woollacott
Academic Clinical Fellow
University College Hospital, London
Dr
Wei Jia
Zhang
CT
Kings College Hospital
Dr
Katherine
Dodd
CT
Countess of Chester Hospital
Dr
Thomas
Parker
CT2
Royal Free Hospital
Dr
Magdalena
Niestrata-Ortiz
FY1
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
Dr
Neil
Graham
CT1
Hammersmith Hospital
Dr
James
Chapman
CT1
James Cooke University Hospital
Dr
Michael
Kemp
FY1
East Surrey Hospital
Dr
Curtis
Osborne
FY1
Charing Cross Hospital
Dr
Ruth
Wood
Academic Clinical Fellow
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Dr
David
Shatti
Core Medical Trainee
Derriford Hospital
Dr
Aravinthan
Varatharaj
Senior House Officer
Royal Free Hospital
Dr
Sophie
Binks
FY1 Academic Neurology
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Dr
Negin
Amiri
FY1 Academic Neurology
West Suffolk Hospital
Dr
Meher
Lad
Senior House Officer
University College Hospital, London
Dr
Sophie
Elands
Senior House Officer
Lister Hospital, Stevenage
Dr
Edwin
Jabbari
Clinical Fellow
Homerton University Hospital
Dr
Diane
Swallow
ST2
Southern General Hospital
Dr
James
Quigley
FY1
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Dr
Aine
Keating
FY1
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Abdelhadi
Consultant Neurologist
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Hospital,
Saudi
OVERSEAS
Dr
Hassan
CHANGE FROM ASSOCIATE TO ORDINARY
Dr
Gillian
Sare
Consultant Neurologist
Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham
Dr
Ian
Galea
Consultant Neurologist
Wessex Neurological Centre
Dr
Basil
Ridha
Consultant Neurologist
Royal Sussex University Hospital
Dr
Ann
Consultant Neurologist
Dr
Alex
Johnston
Sinclair (nee
Barling)
Consultant Neurologist
University Hospital Wales
Institute for Biomedical Research,
Birmingham
Dr
Leonora
Fisniku
Consultant Neurologist
Hurstwood Park Neurosciences Centre
Dr
Niran
Nirmalanathan
Consultant Neurologist
St George's Hospital, London
Dr
Brian
Burns
Consultant Neurologist
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Dr
Tom
Hayton
Consultant Neurologist
University Hospital North Staffordshire
Dr
Mireia
Moragas-Garrido
Consultant Neurologist
Western General Hospital
Dr
Charlotte
Lawthom
Consultant Neurologist
Royal Gwent Hospital
Dr
Jemeen
Sreedharan
Consultant Neurologist
Addenbrooke's
Dr
Brian
Burns
Consultant Neurologist
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Dr
Chris
Kobylecki
Consultant Neurologist
Salford Royal
Dr
Tatiana
Mihalova
Consultant Neurologist
Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham
Dr
Richard
Sylvester
Consultant Neurologist
Homerton Hospital
Dr
Kate
Taylor
Consultant Neurologist
Raigmore Hospital
Dr
Claire
Rice
Consultant Neurologist
Frenchay Hospital
Dr
Charlotte
Lawthom
Consultant Neurologist
Gwent Hospital
Dr
Csaba
Munkacsi
Consultant Neurologist
Stafford Hospital
Dr
Mike
Zandi
Consultant Neurologist
Addenbrooke's Hospital
- 10 -
CHANGE FROM ASSOCIATE TO OVERSEAS
Prof
Samden
Lhatoo
Consultant Neurologist
Case Medical Centre, Cleveland, Ohio
Dr
Bethany
Jones
Consultant Neurologist
NZ
Dr
Mireia
Moragas-Garrido
Consultant Neurologist
Western General Hospital
CHANGE FROM ORDINARY TO OVERSEAS
Dr
Osheik
Seidi
Consultant Neurologist
University of Khartoum, Sudan
Dr
Radcliffe
Lisk
Consultant Neurologist
Sierra Leone
RETIRED
Dr
Michael
Johnson
Consultant Neurologist
Leeds
Dr
Alan
Whiteley
Consultant Neurologist
Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham
Dr
Anoop
Varma
Consultant Neurologist
Retiring to India
Dr
Richard
Hardie
Consultant Neurologist
Bristol
Dr
Brian
Lecky
Consultant Neurologist
Walton Centre
Dr
Russell
Lane
Consultant Neurologist
Charing Cross, London
Prof
Shyamal
Sen
Consultant Neurologist
Calcutta, India
Prof
John
Marshall
Retired HM
Wimbledon, London
Prof
Richard
Langton-Hewer
Retired HM
Leigh Woods Bristol
DEATHS
RESIGNED
Dr
Alex
Ball
Consultant
Rehab Centre, Hayward Hospital
Dr
Alastair
Wilkins
Consultant
Frenchay Hospital
Dr
Laura
Edwards
Specialist Registrar
Queens Med Centre, Nottingham
Dr
Andrew
Hui
Consultant
Hong Kong
Dr
Adrian
Parry-Jones
Trainee
Hope Hospital
Dr
Bethany
Jones
Consultant
Raigmore Hospital
Dr
Ingunn
Bjornson
Associate Consultant
Prof
George
Ebers
Consultant
Dr
Marek
Kunc
Consultant
Airedale General Hospital
Dr
Peter
Brooks
GP
University Hospital of Wales
- 11 -
REPORTS
Honorary Secretary
Ralph Gregory
The ABN continues to receive about 50 requests per year to review NICE Scoping Consultations,
Guidelines and Quality Standard reviews as well as Technology Appraisals, and provide opinions on
documents from the RCP, DH and other bodies. The 10 ABN specialist sections (see appendix) are
appointed by Council to provide expert review which allows us to respond often despite the very short
deadlines offered. Neil Scolding and the 12 MS section members have been particularly busy, and
remain willing and able despite being asked to review numerous disease modifying therapies on a
regular basis. Several of the other sections have helped to draw up Quality Standards in important
areas not covered by NICE. These will be vital in assuring that CCGs are able to commission to a
standard that maintains quality across the country.
The Specialist Interest Groups are organised by ABN members for these members, and continue to run
separately from the sections at present. They have increased their number by three since last year;
(see appendix) we now have a Movement Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurological infection
SIGs chaired by Carl Clark, Colette Griffin and Benedict Michael respectively. If a group involves non
ABN members amongst their cadre, they run in a similar fashion to the SIGs, but are referred to as
Affiliated Societies, to avoid confusion. The British Myology Association has joined this year chaired by
Mike Hanna. Please contact the chairs directly if you are interested in joining. The ABN in the past has
occasionally written guidelines. The ABN Multiple Sclerosis Guidelines last revised in 2009 were
particularly influential and widely used. Paul Worth, recently elected to Council, is setting up guideline
writing group whose intention is to cover areas that are considered by members to be important, and
not adequately covered by NICE or other authorities. If you are interested in this new initiative, then
please contact Paul.
My four year term as Honorary Assistant Secretary and then Secretary is drawing to a close. My thanks
go to the whole team but especially to Joanne, who within a year has exceeded all expectations and
very rapidly got her head round the workings or otherwise of the organisation and its members. As a
consequence, the secretarial post has become much easier. I also wish every success to Hadi and
whoever is elected to ride shotgun. This is certainly a position that I would highly recommend to any
member who has a sense of humour and a desire to tackle issues outside the usual remit of his or her
day job.
Honorary Treasurer
Lionel Ginsberg
In 2013, the ABN’s total incoming resources were £583,912 with net resources expended of £583,101,
giving a net surplus of £811, before revaluation of investment assets. This degree of balance was
achieved by tight control of income and expenditure, aided by new financial software in the ABN office,
for which staff have received training. Other contributory factors included enhanced collection of
subscription fees and careful planning of the scientific meetings. The introduction of a system of
management accounts underpins this year’s stable finances, helping the office and executive in day-today budgeting and in achieving the Association’s longer-term strategy.
Our investments have performed well in 2013, gaining over £100,000. Taken in conjunction with the
improved control of income and expenditure, this means that the ABN’s total funds have increased
from £703,939 at the beginning of the year to £811,718 at the end. In line with financial and legal
advice, the ABN aims to maintain a reserve of around one to two times its normal annual expenditure.
This is considered a safe margin which would allow for remote contingencies, such as the financial
failure of an annual meeting. Our funds remain within this window but the improvement affords a little
more flexibility than was possible in recent years.
On this basis, Council has agreed to underwrite a Clinical Research Training Fellowship (approximately
£50,000 per fellow per year), in advance of the 2014 recruitment round. Members will have received
separate information about the establishment of a fellowship fund, to support this key component of
- 12 -
ABN strategy. Ultimately, this fund will be sustained by donations from several sources, but this year’s
good financial performance provides a secure footing at the outset.
Services and Standards Committee
Chair: Gareth Llewelyn
Administrator: Josie Shew
Regional Representatives:
Brendan Davies (W Midlands; 2008-2014), Raeburn Forbes (N Ireland; 2011-2014), Nick Silver (Mersey; 20132016), Jeremy Gibbs (Thames NE; 2011-2014), Adrian Wills (Trent; 2013-2016), Craig Heath (E Scotland; 20112014), Ed Newman (W Scotland; 2014-2017), Ed Fathers (South West; 2013-2016), Cath Mummery (NHNN;
2013-2016), David Barnes (SW Thames; 2013-2016), Lucy Kinton (Wessex; 2011-2014), Christopher Rickards
(Wales; 2009-2015), John Janssen (NW Thames; 2013-2015), Mark Manford (East Anglia; 2008-2014), David
Footitt (Northern; 2013-2016), Fayyaz Ahmed (Yorkshire; 2013-2016), Eli Silber (SE Thames; 2013-2016), Jon
Sussman (North West; 2008-2014), Paul Davies (Oxford; 2013-2016), Tim Walls (LTFT; 2013-2016), Rhys
Thomas (ABNT; 2011-2014)
Council Officers: Geraint Fuller (President), Phil Smith (President–elect), Ralph Gregory (Honorary Secretary),
Hadi Manji (Honorary Assistant Secretary), Richard Davenport (CRAC Chair)
Co-opted members: Arlene Wilkie and Sally Percy (Neurological Alliance); David Bateman (National
Clinical Director for neurology); Graham Venables (Clinical Reference Group), Jenny Quirk
(Revalidation)
New members elected this year were Adrian Wills, David Footitt, Fayyaz Ahmed, David Barnes, Paul
Davies, Tim Walls and Cath Mummery and we warmly welcome them to the SSC. We thank Richard
Grunewald, Paul McKee, Alec Ming, Jeffery Kimber, Paul Jarman, Jenny Quirk and Andrew Weir for their
contribution and commitment to the SSC over the last 3 years.
The SSC has an important role in providing ABN members with advice and I would encourage you to
contact your representative or the ABN office if there is any issue causing you concern in your work as
a consultant neurologist or if you have any suggestions regarding suitable topics for review in relation
to services that impact on patient care.
Over the last 12 months, the SSC has been actively involved in the following:
Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs)
Major changes continue to occur within the NHS structure in England. We are indebted to the
Neurological Alliance for their ongoing hard work in ensuring that we are kept up to date with
developments and the Alliance’s input has been critical in ensuring that neurology now has a place
within Strategic Clinical networks across England. Appointed neurology clinical leads are listed in
Appendix 1.
It is vital that neurologists engage with their local SCN as clinical input is crucial to its success. If you
are interested, please contact your SCN lead or Dr David Bateman, National Clinical Director for
neurology ([email protected]).
Regional SCN leads are:
Cheshire & Merseyside
Nick Fletcher
East Midlands
Mark Lawden
East of England
Max Damian
London
Nicolas Losseff
Greater Manchester, Lancashire & South Cumbria Mark Kellett
Northern England
Paul Goldsmith and Nicola Chater
South East Coast
Neil Munro and Waqar Rashid
South West Coast
Peter Heywood
Thames Valley
Zam Cader
Wessex
Chris Kipps
West Midlands
Adrian Williams
Yorkshire & Humber
Helen Ford and David Broomhead
- 13 -
Commissioning
There is ongoing uncertainty regarding which specialist neurological services are to be commissioned
by NHSE in the future – for 2014/15 there is no change to existing arrangements.
The SSC has created a working group (Jon Sussman, Jeremy Gibbs, Sally Percy, and Gareth Llewelyn)
to develop a Neurology Commissioning Pack for Clinical Commissioning Groups. This will incorporate a
range of Quality Standards which the ABN sections have been producing under the guidance of Ralph
Gregory.
Wales Neurology delivery plan
A new delivery plan has been proposed for neurology and consultation on the initial draft document
finished in February. For the first time a Health Boards will have to produce an annual statement on
services for patients with neurological conditions.
Acute Neurology Survey
Across the UK neurology a small but slowly increasing number of departments are adapting their work
to allow input into acute neurology (including thrombolysis for stroke). What we do not have is good
information where this is happening and our thanks go to Joanne Lawrence for getting the project off
the ground, ABN members who participated in the survey and to SSC members who are helping with
checking the data. The information gained will be crucial to our aim of promoting 24/7 acute neurology
cover.
New Audit and Revalidation Committee (ARC)
Audit remains a key activity and in order to more effectively harness high quality audit that is being
undertaken across the UK (local, regional and national) it was agreed that a new structure was needed
and ARC has been created. Under the umbrella of the SSC (for the immediate future), it will also have
a role in developing/approving new guidelines. Nick Silver ([email protected])
has been appointed as its chair (2014-2017).
We are grateful to Jenny Quirk ([email protected]) for her ongoing work as ABN representative
on the RCP Revalidation group. The key elements are enhanced appraisal, multisource feedback, CPD
and participation in high quality audit.
Payment by results
Brendan Davies ([email protected]) is keeping the ABN informed of developments. The
tariff system in England remains unchanged for 2013/14
Manpower
There are now 712 consultant neurologists in the UK. Of the 274 StRs with national training numbers
on neurology, 30% are female. The number of training posts has been kept unchanged for this year.
Our thanks to Mark Manford who has worked with the RCP to ensure our manpower figures are as
accurate as possible.
Regional reports
Reduction in neurology beds in regional centres continues to occur. Job plans are quite varied – most
are now 4 clinics/10 PAs with pressure to reduce SPAs to 1.5 or 1 session per week which covers
CPD/audit/appraisal/revalidation. Additional SPAs are negotiated for teaching etc.
Reports/documents
Job planning document (2014)
The updated version is on the ABN website as a resource for members developing or approving new
consultant posts (NHS and academic). My thanks to Lucy Kinton for her help with this project.
Consultant Physicians working with patients (2013)
I would like to thank SSC members for their input into producing the RCP document “Consultant
Physician Working with Patients” (5th Edition, 2013)
http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/consultant_physicians_revised_5th_ed_full_text_final.p
df
- 14 -
Representatives are required (reappointment/new) for the following regions later in 2014 and 2015.
Please contact Josie Shew ([email protected]) at the ABN office if you are interested in joining
the SSC.
Region
N. Ireland
Scotland E
West Midlands
Wessex
East Anglia
Thames NE
North West
Current Rep
Dr Raeburn Forbes
Dr Craig Heath
Dr Brendan Davies
Dr Lucy Kinton
Dr Mark Manford
Dr Jeremy Gibbs
Dr Jon Sussman
This is my last report. It has been an honour and a privilege to have chaired the SSC over the last 6
years and to have worked with such enthusiastic colleagues. I would like to thank all those who have
made it a most interesting journey and to ABN Council and the ABN office staff for all their support.
Many challenges lie ahead to ensure that our mission to work together to improve services for our
patients is achieved. Our close relationship with the Neurological Alliance has been very rewarding.
I am delighted that Ralph Gregory has been appointed as the new Chair, and the SSC will thrive under
his stewardship.
Gareth Llewelyn ([email protected])
Meetings committee
Chair: Hadi Manji
Committee Members: Geraint Fuller, Ralph Gregory, Lionel Ginsberg, Huw Morris, Richard Davenport, Helen
Devine, Dawn Moore, Joanne Lawrence, Keith and Jenni Brews (Affinity Events)
The annual meeting in Glasgow (21st - 24th May) was successful with over 600 delegates. The new
venture, a “Need to know” Neurology session for General Practitioners was well received and will
therefore be a feature at future meetings.
On 23rd October 2013, the joint meeting with the Royal College of Physicians on Acute Neurology
which featured lectures ranging from ‘Functional Neurology in A&E’ to ‘acute vertigo’ was attended by
over 200 delegates, one of the highest for any RCP joint meetings. The ABN one day meeting on 24 th
October on the theme of “Bench to Bedside Neurology’ attracted a similar number of delegates.
The 2014 annual meeting will be held in Cardiff from 7th-9th May. The 20th Gordon Holmes Lecture will
be delivered by Professor Martin Samuels (Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School). The ABN
Annual Lecture, a new addition to the programme, will be given by Professor Matthew Kiernan (Bushell
Chair of Neurology, University of Sydney and Editor of JNNP). A session at this year’s meeting is being
devoted to the important topics of Commissioning and Shape of Training. On Tuesday 6 May, in
addition to the Student Roadshow, trainee session and GPs “Need to know” Neurology, is a Research
Workshop, entitled “How to get ahead in research”. On Wednesday evening, Special Interest Groups
(SIGs) have organised parallel presentations to improve engagement with the ABN membership.
The gala dinner will be on Wednesday 8 May and will include an after dinner speech from Professor
Emeritus Dafydd Thomas.
Plans are underway for a joint two day meeting with the British Association of Stroke Physicians on
‘Stroke Neurology’ which will be held in Stratford on 30 th September and 1st October 2014.
Future meeting dates:
Harrogate
20-22nd May 2015
- 15 -
Training & Education Committee (TEC)
Chair: Richard Davenport
Committee members: Michael Lunn, Jon Winer, Tom Warner, David Nicholl, Chris Allen, Daniel Blackburn,
Haider Katifi
TEC membership
As with other ABN committees, the TEC membership is now regional, covering all areas of the UK.
ABN TEC Undergraduate prize
Submissions for this tear were significantly fewer than previous years, Audit (4), Clinical (4) and
research (14). For next year we shall improve advertising, although the route of advertising this year
was no different. We shall develop a database of all UK Medical School UG Neurology Leads to facilitate
this.
ABN Australasian Fellowships
The three further posts were successfully appointed and the initiative for 2015 continues.
ABN self-assessment exercise
This requires updating for 2014, and work is in progress. Both sections and SIGs have been asked to
come up with at least one question in their relevant areas.
Future plans
A taskforce had been assigned to update the 2006 ABN undergraduate training document. We also
plan closer working with student groups, to promote interest in neurology as a career, and capitalise
on the increasing number of student run Neurology/neuroscience meetings that take place up and
down UK.
Clinical Research & Academic Committee (CRAC)
Chair: Huw Morris; Chair BNSU: Rustam Al-Shahi Salman
Committee Members: Huw Morris, Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, Yusuf Rajabally (North West & West Midlands),
Martin Turner (South Central & South East Coast), Nin Bajaj (East of England & East Midlands), Donald Grosset
(Scotland & Northern Ireland), David Burn (North East & Yorkshire & the Humber), Khalid Hamandi (Wales &
South West), John Zajicek (CLRN rep), Rehiana Ali (ABNT rep)
Membership
Following the ABN AGM in Glasgow regional representation for CRAC was approved. Following a call for
new members of CRAC the following members were elected unopposed: Nin Bajaj, Donald Grosset,
David Burn and Khalid Hamandi.
ABN Clinical Training Fellowships
Unfortunately for the 2013 round two of the charitable sponsors for the fellowships were unable to
support the scheme and so the scheme did not take place in 2013. The situation was discussed in the
Executive, Council and by CRAC and approval for a renewed round of fund raising for the scheme was
obtained. There will now be fund raising from members and other charitable donors , beginning in
June 2014 and the ABN will underwrite one fellowship from its reserves. The fellowship scheme is
currently planned to progress during 2014 and it's hoped that the scheme will continue to grow and
expand from this point onwards.
ABN Research Training Workshop
The inaugural research training workshop - "How to get ahead in research" will take place at the
Cardiff ABN on 6 May and will be open to all ABN members.
Intercalated Degree Bursary
Two bursaries were awarded for 2013 to Alexander Beer, Sheffield University and Joseph Masters,
Queen Mary and Westfield College, London. Very strong applications were received this year.
Timing of out of programme experience
There is ongoing uncertainty about the optimal timing of specialist registrars leaving the training
programme to take up research posts. It is likely that there will be new national guidelines on this and
the training handbook is currently being revised. CRAC is liaising with the ABNT and TEC on this issue.
- 16 -
BNSU
The BNSU continues to be a very valuable way of recruiting patients to research studies. A major
update in the management of this process will occur with the launch of the new website. The overall
proportion of members participating in the British Neurological Surveillance Unit (BNSU) who
responded to monthly emails was around 50% throughout 2013, which was identical to 2012.
BNSU
100
2012
90
2013
Response %
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Surveillance Month
BNSU surveillance stopped for Congenial Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders at the end of 2013. The
numbers of cases ascertained for the conditions under surveillance over the year prior to the time of
writing this report were:
Transient Epileptic Amnesia
Familial Alzheimer’s Disease and Familial Frontotemporal Dementia
Demyelination complicating anti-TNF therapy
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions to Antiepileptic Drugs
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
Neurological problems occurring within one month of influenza infection in adults
Drug-induced Liver Injury Reactions to Antiepileptic Drugs
Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders
Myoclonus Dystonia Syndrome
21
15
14
14
11
11
5
5
4
At the time of going to press, annual reports had been received from those investigating Myclonus
Dystonia Syndrome, Transient Epileptic Amnesia, Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions to Antiepileptic
Drugs, Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome. Annual
reports indicated that the proportions of responses received from ABN members to questionnaires sent
following the notification of a case to BNSU ranged from 55-100%, although these percentages are
based on small numbers. Of the 41 patients ascertained by studies submitting annual reports, 16
patients were successfully recruited to the studies.
Association of British Neurology Trainees
Chair: Helen Devine
Committee members: Emma Tallantyre (Secretary), Rhys Thomas (Treasurer), Ed Newman (Deputy
Treasurer), Rehiana Ali, (Research Rep), Alex Foulkes (Training and Education Rep), Marianne Novak
(BMA/Liaison Rep), Ann Donnelly and Zhaleh Khaleeli (Media and Communications Reps), Jeban
Ganesalingam (BASP)
ABNT committee members have continued to participate in all ABN committees, representing the views
- 17 -
of trainees in the Association. Our work has been supported by a network of regional representatives
who provide trainees with a local point of contact with the ABN.
Mentoring
An ABNT mentoring scheme is now underway to support junior doctors who are interested in a career
in Neurology and to enable them to manage their career development in an effective manner.
Neurology trainees will take on the role of mentors and will receive training in how to be a good
mentor in June 2014. The mentoring scheme will run for two years with an initial evaluation at the end
of the first year.
ABNT website and twitter feed
The ABNT Committee has been helping to develop the trainee section of the new ABN website which
will be launched in May. In the meantime, we have been providing up-to-date information relevant to
trainees through our interim website www.abnt.org.uk, our twitter account @ABNTrainees and the
ABNT email newsletter. Committee members have contributed articles to the ACNR related to training
issues.
Training day at the ABN meeting in Cardiff
Following the success of previous years, there will be two training afternoons running concurrently at
the ABN meeting in Cardiff: one for Neurology trainees and one for junior doctors and medical
students. This will be followed by a new evening session on research methodology. There will be a
trainee dinner at the conference on Wednesday 7th May 2014.
Shape of Training
The ABNT Committee members have been involved in ABN discussions about the proposed changes to
training outlined in the Shape of Training Report and will contribute to the discussion at the ABN
meeting. We have also been liaising with other trainee committees and the BMA about a response to
the proposals.
Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board: Specialty Advisory
Committee in Neurology
Chair: Richard Butterworth
Vice Chair: David Nicholl
2013 Updates to 2010 Curriculum
The proposals made by the SAC have been fully accepted by the GMC. These are now currently live
and are mandatory for any trainee with a CCT after 31-12-15 although all trainees are encouraged to
adhere to the most up to date curriculum. Trainees will be expected to complete at least 1 satisfactory
Patient Survey during the 5-year training programme akin to the requirements for consultants as part
of Revalidation.
Secondly trainees will have the option of completing a service development project (assessed with an
appropriate workplace based assessment) in lieu of 1 of the 2 audit projects that are required to be
completed during the training period.
Lastly the GMC has accepted the proposal for the development of a specific workplace based
assessment to assess the competency of thrombolysis delivery in acute ischaemic stroke. This is still
being developed in conjunction with the Stroke Sub-specialty SAC and is likely to consist of a formative
DOPS.
Trainee Recruitment in 2014
Health Education England (HEE) is keen for recruitment at ST3 level for all specialties to be coordinated at a single national centre. The Neurology SAC have campaigned against this move citing the
very negative experience of Elland Road, Leeds in 2007. Recruitment in neurology this year will instead
be through 5-6 clusters of regions as well as a number of stand-alone HEE regions. Interestingly a
number of other similarly sized medical specialties have opted for a single centre national recruitment
approach and the results of this will be known in due course.
Scotland and NI are now also part of the Royal College of Physicians of London co-ordinated scheme.
- 18 -
ABN Australasian Fellowships
The second trio of the ABN Australasian Fellowships have now started in Adelaide, Melbourne &
Sydney. The recruitment process for the 2015 placements is underway and interviews are scheduled
for May 2014. At the time of writing this report the recipient cities are yet to be determined by ANZAN.
SAC Concerns
The Shape of Training review was published in October 2013 and responses are still being sought from
a wide range of sources including the SAC in Neurology and ABN Council. The proposals, if
implemented, will result in significant changes to the training of all junior doctors with a change in
emphasis to ‘Broad-based specialty training’. The Neurology SAC has suggested that any changes to
training should facilitate the aims of the ABN/RCP London 2011 document Local Adult Neurology
Services for the Next Decade with neurologists taking on more of the acute, non-scheduled, care of
neurological patients. This includes the provision of stroke care in collaboration with geriatricians and
stroke physicians.
Whilst many of the proposals in the review are alarming, the report lacks specifics and much will
depend upon the formation of the planned Delivery Group and whether the GMC and the four UK
Departments of Health accept the review’s conclusions. An update on the Shape of Training review for
ABN members is scheduled at the ABN meeting in Cardiff in May.
A more immediate concern is the removal of LAT posts by HEE from 2015. This will directly affect the
ability of training programme leads to manage rotations and build in flexibility allowing trainees to go
out-of-programme for research or other reasons. The JRCPTB has championed for the retention of LAT
posts and the lobbying of HEE is ongoing. To help counter the effects of this move the SAC is working
with CRAC of the ABN to help produce guidelines for neurology trainees and trainers aimed at
minimising any disruption caused by movement in and out of research.
ABN Sections
The responsibilities of the ABN Sections are to report on designated consultation documents, NICE
guidelines, and other requests for information received by the ABN and to provide these responses
in time to meet imposed deadlines.
Acute Neurology
Chair: Ed Dunn
Members: David Dick, Dominic Paviour, Kirsty Harkness, Robin Howard, Adrian Wills, Maxwell
Damian, David Nicholl, Graham Venables, Stuart Weatherby
The Acute Neurology Section has guided ABN responses to a number of documents relevant to acute
care in the last year including the Future Hospital publication from the RCP, the NCEPOD report on care
of patients with Subarachnoid Haemorrhage and the NICE Quality Standard Stakeholder engagement
exercise – Transient Loss of Consciousness. The Section has also advised the NIHR on future
technological developments that are likely to impact on Neurology provision such as the increasing role
of Telemedicine and is advising on the development of ABN Quality Standards for Acute Neurology.
Cognition
Chair: Chris Butler
Members: Engelbert Puschmann, Cath Mummery, Jeremy Isaacs, Paresh Malhotra, Adam Zeman, Liz
Coulthard, Andrea Cavanna, Jerry Brown, Michael O’Sullivan
Over the past year, the Cognition Section has been committed to ensuring that British neurology is well
represented in the increasingly prominent debates about dementia care. We have reviewed and
commented upon documents related to dementia produced by, amongst others NICE, the National
Institute for Health Research and the Royal Colleges.
Epilepsy
Chair: Susan Duncan
Members: Tony Marson, Michael Johnson, Howard Faulkner, Kasia Sieradzan
- 19 -
The Epilepsy section has commented on the following consultations in the past year: ILAE / Definitions
of Epilepsy; NICE Quality Standard Stakeholde3r engagement exercise – Transient Loss of
Consciousness; RCGP Epilepsy clinical priority programme.
Headache and Pain
Chair: Brendan Davies
Members: Anish Bahra, Fayyaz Ahmed, Manjit Matharu, Giles Elrington, Sam Chong, David Bennett,
Nick Silver
The Headache and Pain section has commented on the following consultations in the past year: SIGN
Chronic Pain Peer Review; NICE Clinical Guideline Development – Neuropathic Pain; Transcranial
magnetic stimulation for treating and preventing migraine; Spinal Cord Stimulation for chronic pain of
neuropathic or ischaemic origin.
Movement Disorders
Chair: Carl Clarke
Members: Malcolm Steiger, Paola Piccini, Donald Grosset, Oliver Bandmann, Sophie Molloy, Prasad
Korlipara, Jeremy Stern, David Burn, Marie-Helene Marion
MS & Inflammation
Chair: Neil Scolding
Members: Waqar Rashid, Jeremy Chataway, Klaus Schmierer, Carolyn Young, Alasdair Coles, Eli
Silber, David Miller, Abhijit Chaudhuri, David Barnes, Abdullah Shehu, Sarah Cader, Gavin Giovannoni,
John Zajicek
The MS & Inflammation section has commented on the following consultations in the past year:
Review of TA32; interferon beta and glatiramer acetate, TA127; Natalizumab, TA254; Fingolimod,
Dimethyl Fumarate, Teriflunomide, Alemtuzumab, Laquinimod.
Neuromuscular
Chair: David Hilton-Jones
Members: Richard Orrell, Aleksandar Radunovic, Michael Rose, Michal Hanna, John Winer, Andria
Merrison, Fiona Norwood
The Neuromuscular section has commented on the following consultations in the past year: NICE
Clinical Guideline Development – Neuropathic Pain; BTS Quality Standards: Respiratory management
of children with Neuromuscular weakness; Electrical Stimulation for oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Neuro Oncology
Chair: Robin Grant
Members: Fiona McKevitt, Nick Gutowski, Oliver Hanemann, Jeremy Rees, Paul Hart, Alison Parry,
Bridget MacDonald, Paul Maddison, Katia Cikurel
The Neuro Oncology section has commented on the following consultation in the past year: British HIV
Association Malignancy guidelines. Many are involved in establishing a Tumour Associated Epilepsy
Interest Group. If interested, please contact Robin Grant.
Neurorehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury
Chair: Diane Playford
Members: Martyn Bracewell, Judith Allanson, Nick Ward, Val Stevenson, Collette Griffin, Richard
Greenwood
The Neurorehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury section has commented on the following
consultations in the past year: RCGP Proposal for a clinical priority for acquired brain injury; NICE
Guideline consultation, Head Injury.
Stroke
Chair: Cathie Sudlow
Members: Richard Hardie, Mark Willmot, Pankaj Sharma, David Werring, Hedley Emsley, Liqun
Zhang, Martin Punter
- 20 -
The Stroke section has commented on the following consultations over the past year: Review of NICE
technology appraisal guidance NO. 210; Clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole for the
prevention of occlusive vascular events; Vorapaxar-atherothrombotic events after myocardial
infarction; Electrical Stimulation for oropharyngeal dysphagia; Atrial Fibrillation (non-valvular, stroke
and embolism prevention) edoxaban tosylate.
Members of ABN Council 2014-15
President
President
Honorary
Honorary
Honorary
Honorary
Dr G Fuller
Professor Phil Smith
Dr H Manji
Professor D Burn
Professor L Ginsberg
Dr Trevor Pickersgill
2013-15
2013-15
2014-16
2014-16
2011-15
2014-15
Chair, Services and Standards Committee
Chair, Training and Education Committee
Chair, Clinical Research & Academic Committee
Elected Councillor
Elected Councillor
Elected Councillor
Elected Councillor
Elected Councillor
Elected Councillor
Dr JG Llewelyn
Dr RJ Davenport
Professor HR Morris
Professor N Scolding
Dr W Gibb
Dr W Rakowicz
Professor MM Reilly
Dr A Coles
Dr P Worth
2011-14
2013-16
2012-15
2009-15
2012-16
2012-16
2011-15
2014-18
2014-18
Chair, Association of British Neurologists Trainees
Dr H Devine
Co-opted, Chair SAC Neurology
Dr R Butterworth
Elect
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Treasurer Elect
ABN Office – Members of Staff
Joanne Lawrence
Executive Director
Full-time
Appointed January 2013
Dawn Moore
Finance Administrator & Membership Administrator
Full-time
Appointed April 2006
Josie Shew
Administrative Secretary
Full-time
Appointed April 2009
- 21 -
Appendix 1
Council Minutes 2013-14
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 16 January 2013 at Ormond House, 27
Boswell Street, London WC1N 3JZ
Those present: Professor MN Rossor (President, Chair), Dr GN Fuller (President Elect), Dr Ralph
Gregory (Honorary Secretary), Dr Hadi Manji (Honorary Assistant Secretary), Professor L Ginsberg
(Honorary Treasurer), Dr JG Llewelyn (Chair SSC), Dr RJ Davenport (Chair TEC), Dr Huw Morris (Chair
CRAC), Professor NJ Scolding, Professor MM Reilly, Dr B Stanton (ABNT) & Dr RJ Butterworth (SAC), Dr
William Gibb, Dr Wojtek Rakowicz, Josie Shew (ABN), Tina Akpogheneta (ABN).
Arlene Wilkie and Sally Percy attended on behalf of the Neurological Alliance for Item 11 only.
Dr Chris Clough and Professor Graham Venables attended for Item 11 only by phone.
Professor John Zajicek attended by phone for Item 7.3 only.
Apologies for Absence
Professor PEM Smith.
1.
Minutes of the last meeting
Council approved the minutes of the last meeting as a true and accurate record of proceedings with the
following corrections: Section 9.1 should read ‘Yusuf Rajabally and Martin Turner’. Section 8, SHO’s no
longer exist; this should be Foundation Year doctors. The date should also be amended to 19
September 2012.
2.
Standing items
2.1
ABNT minutes were confirmed as being for information only.
2.2
Lionel Ginsberg (LG) mentioned he prepared a summary on the JNC in November and requested
this to be tabled for later on in the meeting. LG mentioned the issue of a financial mismatch
between income and expenditure for ebrain and the shortfall they are hoping to make up by
advertising, promoting and marketing it to Universities and other bodies, but due to the IT
company and admin fees, the money does not equate. The ABN were asked to make a
contribution, it was agreed to return to this item once copies had been printed.
3.
Treasurer’s Report
3.1
Annual Reports from Council/Committee Members
LG reminded individuals to submit their annual reports before the deadline of 22 nd February. LG
thanked Tina and Dawn for their hard work on the financial projection for the end of the year.
Martin Rossor (MR) stated that we have had a difficult year with additional payments but we
need to save money and explained that all of our services, including IT are being looked at.
Neil Scolding (NS) mentioned the increased subscription for the JNC. LG agreed the amount
was large and that our representation remains the same. MR stated this may be picked up in
the strategy.
4.
Honorary Secretary’s Report
4.1
ABN Sections and special interest groups, Ratification of membership of Acute Neurology
Section
4.2
Consultations
A discussion took place among council members regarding membership of an Acute Neurology
Section.
Action: Ralph Gregory (RG) to forward list of those interested in joining the section to
council members asking them to list 1-8 taking into account age, gender and location.
- 22 -
RG proposed that we have a rehabilitation section in order to assist consultation on a number of
relevant documents. Geraint Fuller (GF) agreed and asked that the section be called
‘neurorehabilitation’.
Action: RG to compose an email to send to membership asking for expressions of interest in
a neurorehabilitation section.
4.3
ABN Representation on committees
RG drew council’s attention to the list provided. He stated we are in the process of creating two
lists, one listing those representing the ABN on an external committee and one of committees
that people are on but not representing the ABN. This will be part of our new website, when
people register, they will be asked to tell us what committees they serve. Richard Butterworth
(RB) pointed out that Richard Davenport (RD) represents the ABN on the SAC and he
represents the SAC on the ABN.
4.4
Risk Register
MR asked if council were happy to accept the risk register as an accurate account of the risks to
the ABN at present. Council agreed.
4.5
ABN and the Dementia Alliance
RG stated that we are asked to sign up to being a supporter of the Alliance, and to say how we
will engage. RG referred council to 4.5d in which Chris Butler’s comments were included. GF
stated that the executive felt this was generally a good idea. HRM mentioned that early onset
dementia does not seem to be mentioned, nor genetics. HRM suggested we should be focusing
on early onset dementia as neurologists. Mary Reilly (MaryR) suggested adding the word
‘including’ to incorporate this. Council agreed to support the Alliance, but not financially.
Action: RG to draft a covering letter for the executive committee and forward to Chris
Butler.
4.6
ABN Twitter Account
RG stated we have the account ABN_conf which was used during the last conference and the
ABNT also have a twitter account. RG has an account called ‘theabninfo’ and proposed that RG
tweets on the ABN’s behalf. Anything that comes across our desk that is of interest to our
membership, e.g. links to various papers, consultations etc. David Nicholl tweets for Midlands
Neurology as an example. RG suggested it was aligned to the new website. RG suggested that
in the next newsletter we give out the address.
5.
Meetings Committee
5.1
Report on ANA/ABN Joint Meeting, Boston, 7-10 October 2012
Hadi Manji (HM) reported that the meeting was very successful with 60 ABN members attending
and the British speakers went down well. HM stated we should have a reciprocal meeting and
invite the Americans over in 5-6 years time.
5.2
Report on Joint Meeting with British Association Dermatologists RCP London 10 Jan 2013
200 delegates attended, of whom 15 were neurologists. Neil Scolding, David Hilton-Jones, David
Bennett and Ralph Gregory gave talks that went down very well. Very positive feedback was
received from the meeting.
5.3
ABN Annual Meeting, Glasgow, 21-24 May 2013
HM explained that the programme has been finalised. Mark Hallet is the plenary speaker, the
Gordon Holmes Lecturer, and BRAIN is sponsoring his visit. We have a guest speaker, Jacques
Penderis, a Professor of comparative neurology of the Medical School, speaking about the
scientific and clinical aspects of the neurology of dogs. On Tuesday before the main meeting we
have the medical students and SpR sessions with the new venture, the study day for GPs
- 23 -
organised by RG. At the end of Tuesday MR will give a lecture on the month of the Brain. HM
stated we have attempted to secure an after dinner speaker with little success but John Paul
Leach has agreed to speak in the event of no after dinner speaker. Gareth Llewelyn (GL) raised
the question, should we have a ceremony for those of our trainees that passed their exams and
a presentation. There was general agreement for this. MaryR also stated this is a good way of
encouraging associate members. MR agreed that this is a good idea, but we should delay it
until the next meeting. HM continued by explaining that we have three breakfast sessions and
three lunchtime sessions.
5.4
Future meetings and dates
HM stated we have a joint meeting with the Royal College of Physicians, Oct 23/24, day one will
be acute neurology for general physicians and day two will be the ABN meeting, the programme
of which is in planning stage. The 2014 annual meeting will be in Cardiff, this is possibly a joint
meeting with the Association of Stroke Physicians but that needs to be confirmed. HM also
stated there may be a possibility of a meeting in Japan, the Autumn meeting of 2014. MR
stated 2014 would be too early but will pursue the contract.
LG mentioned that if pharma were to accept the symposium slots that they have been allocated
then we will have more sponsors this year and more money; this should go into the planning for
the budget next year.
6.
ABNT Report
Biba Stanton (BS) stated that the ABNT has been discussing the way we liaise with medical
student groups, which is something we could hopefully finalise when the ABN strategy is in
place. BS also mentioned that the ABNT is interested in the idea of mentoring for junior doctors
interested in neurology. Rhys Thomas may run a pilot project in Wales. The ABNT is
developing its own ABNT website. BS also stated the ABNT has been discussing trainee
involvement in quality improvement project and how this can be promoted at the ABN meetings
and hopefully, in the future, on the website.
7.
CRAC Report
Huw Morris (HRM) confirmed that Yusuf Rajabally, Martin Turner and Sarah Tabrizi have all
agreed to serve on CRAC as discussed at the last meeting. John Zajicek has been serving on
CRAC particularly with liaison with clinical research networks.
7.1
ABN fellowship and bursary scheme
HRM updated council on the 2012 fellowship scheme and outcome. Thomas Miller secured
funding from the Patrick Berthoud Charitable Trust and Encephalitis Society, Stephen Mullin and
Michal Rolinski were recommended to Parkinsons UK and Peter Jenkins secured funding from
the Guarantors of Brain. HRM gave a brief overview of the fellowship scheme from its
conception. Council discussed offering funding from the ABN, this is being detailing in the ABN
strategy.
7.2
BNSU
HRM stated that the BNSU is a major part of the ABN’s research effort and that it could be
strengthened by rapidly disseminating research material to people notifying cases as opposed to
having a long delay. HRM also stated that the BNSU reporting back to the membership would
be a good idea; maybe through presentations or posters at the meeting, this would hopefully
increase involvement which is still at 50%.
7.3
Liaison with clinical research networks / NIHR CRN Neurological Specialities Groups
John Zajicek (JZ) joined the meeting by telephone for this section and updated council on the
current status of special interest groups. The NIHR CRN is undergoing reorganisation and one
suggestion is that DenDRoN and neurological diseases are managed together. Council were
asked to consider supporting this new arrangement. JZ also reported on the results of his
questionnaire to the ABN on research activity. Many members wished for protected time. MR
stated that job planning is an important remit of SSC.
- 24 -
Action: JZ to liaise with GL to share with him some of his documents in order to
produce a statement to go to council in April.
Action: Council to feedback comments on cognate CRN themes to JZ.
8.
TEC Report
RD deferred 8.1 and 8.2 until the discussion around strategy later on in the meeting. RD stated
that the Undergraduate Prize closed 31st December 2012 and we had 54 entries, more than
ever before; they will soon be marked with 3 awards to be awarded. RD also explained that the
self-assessment exercise is up and running on the website. RD suggested we think about
somebody for the exchange with Brazil for 2014. It was suggested that this is added to the
newsletter.
8.3
Shape of training review
RD explained that the Shape of Training is a UK wide review, independent of the government,
supported by the organisations on the front page, chaired by David Greenaway from
Nottingham University, asking for comment both from individuals and associations and it was
agreed that in his role as Chair of TEC he would submit a document on behalf of the ABN. The
date for submission is 8th February. RB has already submitted something on behalf of the SAC.
This is training generally so not all the issues apply to neurology. RD suggested that council
read RD’s comments and send comments to him directly, he will discuss with the executive
about it before submitting.
8.4
Australasian fellowships
RD deferred this section to RB. RB stated the trainee for Auckland is there and working, the
trainee to Sydney flew out the day before, and the one to Melbourne is on the way. RB has
been liaising with ANZAN who will let him know by the end of February, the three recipient
posts for February 2014. RB proposed that he produce a flyer through the ABNT and the
program directors of the SAC in the next couple of weeks, advertising for next year.
9.
Items for discussion
9.1
ABN Executive Committee
MR checked that council members had been receiving the notes from the weekly executive
committee and that members of council were happy with this. Council agreed. MR also
suggested that all council members are welcome to raise any points to the executive committee
that they feel should be discussed.
9.2
ABN Office
9.3
Office Lease
9.5
Recruitment of Executive Director
MR grouped together items 9.2, 9.3 and 9.5. MR thanked Josie Shew and Dawn Moore for their
hard work in the absence of a Director and also Tina Akpogheneta for her assistance two days a
week. MR confirmed that we have appointed Joanne Lawrence as our Executive Director from a
shortlist of applicants from 60.
MR explained that the office lease is due to end this summer and as part of our due diligence of
money saving, TA identified other premises that will not be available yet but would have
significant saving. In the interim a one year extension has been secured. We have been
approached by Dimitri Kullman, the editor of BRAIN, looking for an office. The ABN office has
been sublet to BRAIN before and Dimitri has asked if this is a possibility.
LG stated that JS and DM’s salary has been increased and back pay had been paid from the
beginning of the last financial year.
9.4
Website/IT Update
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TA updated council with our tendering process for the website. GF suggested it might be good
to have webpages matching the work of the sections, also being published in Practical
Neurology. GF asked council if they were happy for him to approach the sections to ask them
to produce a webpage that will then be produced in Practical Neurology, with the ABN keeping
the copyright. MR requested that we have somebody within the section who takes
responsibility to monitor their page. Council were in agreement.
Action: Office to put together a tender document for the new website.
Action: GF to approach sections to produce a webpage.
9.6
ABN Strategy Document
MR thanked everybody for their hard work on the strategy document. GF asked if council are
happy to endorse the strategy document, with a view to taking this to the membership to seek
their opinions. Council agreed and a short discussion followed.
Action: MR to mention the strategy in the January newsletter.
9.7
Update on Governance Arrangements
MR updated council that there will be a board of trustees, the size of which is being discussed.
MR suggested that the trustees would be the Executive Committee minus the past president,
plus the elected council members.
Action: Council members to email MR with suggestions for Trustees.
9.8
Practical Neurology
MR reminded council that the option of creating our own journal, or of owning / co-owning the
JNNP had been explored previously. The possibility of co-owning Practical Neurology was not
being explored. MR updated council that this is work in progress and is a trustee decision point
for the future.
9.9
Membership of Council
MR stated that we need to ratify the re-appointment of Neil Scolding from May 2012. MR
explained to council that our articles state that our Honorary Assistant Secretary remains in
post for three years, before becoming the Honorary Secretary for another three years; this has
not been recent practice which has been two years plus two years. This will be changed in the
articles. MR confirmed we have had two nominations for President Elect, Neil Scolding and Phil
Smith. RG brought up the issue surrounding council nominations and it was briefly discussed
that we have had no nominations for council this year.
10.1
Any Other Business
10.1
Nomination of national Delegates to the General Assembly of the future European Academy of
Neurology (EAN)
MR explained to council that we need a nomination for a delegate to sit on the EAN as ABN
representative. MR suggested that it be the President of the ABN. Council agreed with this
proposal.
10.2
European Year of the Brain 2014
MR explained that the Executive Committee were discussing Past Presidents role. MR offered to
be the ABN representative in taking the European Year of the Brain forward. This was generally
agreed.
MR referred back to the JNC, item 2.2. LG referred to notes LG made at the JNC meeting. A
discussion followed regarding the smaller member organisations. MR commented that the issue
of an intercollegiate faculty was not specifically stated in the strategy but may be picked up in
consultation.
- 26 -
LG raised the point of Peter Harvey’s memorial that was mentioned in the newsletter, LG
updated council as to the time and whereabouts of his memorial. MaryR also updated council
that John Morgan-Hughes’ memorial will be in April in Surrey and raised the idea that we should
have an obituary for him as he is an ABN medal holder. This was generally agreed.
Action: MR to arrange obituary.
11.
SSC Report
Arlene Wilkie and Sally Percy from the Neurological Alliance joined council for this item, Chris Clough
and Graham Venables joined via telephone.
11.1
Neurology Commissioning Support Pack
A discussion took place between Gareth Llewelyn, Graham Venables, Chris Clough, Sally Percy
and Arlene Wilkie regarding the Neurology Commissioning Support Pack. Council was updated
on its progress. Discussion focussed on the anticipated balance of local and national
commissioning for neurology.
Action: Council to feedback comments to GL by 25th January.
11.2
Strategic Clinical Networks
GL thanked the Neurological Alliance for their huge amount of work towards the Strategic
Clinical Networks. GL updated council on the meetings that have taken place with a group
called NETRUN. Arlene Wilkie (AW) summarised in saying there are four clinical networks and
we are included in one of them: mental health, dementia and neurology; there will be 12 of
these across the country. The commissioning board are recruiting for the directors; they are
then recruiting their teams. Aside from that there has been an initial simulation meeting
towards the end of last year to determine how the networks are going to run in the country,
with another taking place in Liverpool. This will generate a report that will then be launched in
May, hopefully in time for the ABN conference.
- 27 -
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 17 April 2013 at Ormond House, 27
Boswell Street, London WC1N 3JZ
Those present: Professor MN Rossor (President, Chair), Dr GN Fuller (President Elect), Dr Ralph
Gregory (Honorary Secretary), Dr Hadi Manji (Honorary Assistant Secretary), Professor L Ginsberg
(Honorary Treasurer), Dr JG Llewelyn (Chair SSC), Dr RJ Davenport (Chair TEC), Dr Huw Morris (Chair
CRAC), Professor NJ Scolding, Dr B Stanton (ABNT) & Dr RJ Butterworth (SAC), Dr William Gibb, Dr
Wojtek Rakowicz, Professor PEM Smith, Josie Shew (ABN), Joanne Lawrence (ABN), Patrick Cadigan
(Royal College of Physicians)
Sally Percy attended on behalf of the Neurological Alliance for Item 9
Professor Graham Venables attended for Item 9
1.
Apologies for Absence
Mary Reilly.
2.
Minutes of the Council Meeting 16.01.13
Council approved the minutes of the last meeting as a true and accurate record of proceedings with the
following corrections: Section 9.7 should read ‘non-neurology trustees’.
2.1
Matters arising
MR opened the meeting by welcoming Joanne Lawrence to her first council meeting as Executive
Director and congratulating Professor Phil Smith for being elected the next President Elect, after a very
close election between Phil Smith and Neil Scolding.
3.
Standing items
3.1
Minutes: ABNT, 20.02.13
It was confirmed that the ABNT minutes were for information only.
3.2
Minutes: SSC, 19.02.13
It was confirmed that the SSC minutes were for information only.
4.
Treasurer’s Report
4.1
4.2
Annual Accounts
Financial Planning
Lionel Ginsberg (LG) confirmed that the 2012 accounts were yet to be finalised, subject to discussions
with the accountants. A draft budget has been prepared for 2013. Joanne Lawrence (JL) confirmed
that our accounting system has been upgraded for 2013 and beyond.
LG stressed that 2012 had been an exceptional year in terms of expenditure with extra consultancy
fees, staff salaries and legal and accountancy fees. Huw Morris (HRM) asked about our investment
portfolio, LG explained that most of it is in charity bonds. LG suggested that a lay trustee could be
recruited with investment knowledge.
MR thanked JL, DM and LG for their hard work in reviewing the finances.
4.3
Staff salaries
Josie Shew (JS) left the room for this discussion.
5.
Honorary Secretary’s Report
5.1
ABN Sections, special interest groups and affiliated societies
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Ralph Gregory (RG) announced two new sections, ‘Acute Neurology’ and ‘Neurorehabilitation and
Traumatic Brain Injury’, chaired by Ed Dunn and Diane Playford respectively. All other sections will be
eligible for reapplication this summer, with current members of the sections eligible to stand again.
RG explained that the strategy document, agenda item 12.2, will include a discussion about affiliated
societies and their interaction with special interest groups and ABN sections. RG suggested having a
non specialist on the specialist sections (to improve moderation) and introducing a lay member into the
section (for example a representative from a charity). A discussion ensued and it was decided that
either all of council should input on section comments, or acute neurology section members should
liaise with the section chairs. MR emphasised the section chairs should be asked, as they need to feel
comfortable with the arrangement.
Action: RG to ask the opinion of section chairs, in line with the new round of elections in the
summer.
5.2
Consultations
RG has established a personal relationship with the heads of sections, which has helped in ensuring
that the consultations are commented on within the given time frame, (often very short).
Action:
JL to include consultations spreadsheet to council with minutes of Executive
Committee teleconference each week.
5.3
Risk Register
RG pointed out that there are no red risks on the register. Council accepted the risk register as an
accurate assessment of the risks to the ABN.
5.4
Media Issues
RG asked for council’s permission to explore a media strategy, possibly encompassing the ABN being
proactive in approaching media companies. Patrick Cadigan (PC) confirmed that the use of social
media is an increasingly powerful business tool. MR stated that JL is organising our principles and
SOPs before we can set up and implement a media and communications strategy.
6.
Meetings Committee
6.1
Minutes, 15.01.13
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as an accurate account of proceedings.
HM reported that the ABN sponsored a plenary lecture by Yves Agid at the BNA Festival of
Neuroscience with very positive feedback.
6.2
ABN Annual Meeting, Glasgow, 21-24 May 2013
HM noted that May 2013 is European Month of the Brain and that the Glasgow meeting had been
approved as a European Month of the Brain event. Podcasts for the meeting will available on the JNNP
website, and possibly the Practical Neurology website after the meeting. HM confirmed Mark Hallet as
the Gordon Holmes Lecture speaker and Jacques Penderis as the plenary speaker. Ian Bone will be the
after dinner speaker.
6.3
Speaker expenses
HM reported that a potential speaker declined the invitation because he felt that the ABN should pay
for his travel, accommodation and registration. It was agreed to continue with the current system for
another year, then review the procedure at next year’s annual meeting, possibly with the view of
removing registration fee altogether for speakers.
- 29 -
HRM mentioned a general misconception amongst the membership that the ABN has a lot of money to
spare, when the reality is that we have enough that our funds are just sufficient for the running of the
organisation. RD suggested that this is touched upon at the AGM.
6.4
Future meetings and dates
HM confirmed that the October meeting will comprise Acute Neurology on the joint day with RCP, and
the ABN meeting on the second day. PC confirmed that a typical number for a one day meeting would
be 300 registrants.
MR asked for council’s support that the ABN Annual Meeting 2014 be an official Year of the Brain event.
Council agreed.
7.
ABNT Report
Biba Stanton confirmed that the ABNT will shortly hold elections. BS explained that the ABNT is
discussing developing a pilot mentoring scheme for foundation doctors of CMTs interested in neurology.
BS also stated the ABNT is developing content for the new website, including a platform for trainees to
share quality improvement projects.
8.
CRAC Report
8.1
BNSU
HRM confirmed that Rustam Al-Shahi Salman will give an overview of the BNSU to members at the
Annual meeting in Glasgow. There will also be a dedicated BNSU poster area with posters submitted
by the leaders of the BNSU schemes. HRM confirmed that updating the BNSU system in terms of
response rate and IT support was an on-going project.
ABN Fellowships (12.6 on agenda)
HRM reported that larger charities wanted to fund and administrate their own fellowships, and the
smaller charities wanted the support of the ABN but could only afford to fund a fellowship once every
three or four years. He confirmed that whilst the Patrick Berthoud Trust was very keen to be involved,
it was not in a financial situation to support the fellowship this year. LG suggested that the ABN might
contribute to a fellowship, but only once every three or four years. LG suggested mechanisms to
facilitate this including Gift Aid. Council agreed that the ABN fellowship was important to maintain, they
recognised the value of a fellowship and that it will encourage the support of BRAIN as well as others.
MR suggested that we seek permission at the upcoming AGM to work out the details.
9.
SSC Report
Sally Percy (SP) from the Neurological Alliance summarised the NHS commissioning board’s rebranding
to NHS England. The ABN and the NA had commented on the consultation of the new draft service
specifications and clinical policies earlier this year when their key concern was that there was a
disparity between the specialised commissioning and the draft service specification. It was not clear
where the divide will be, whether all of Neurology going to be commissioned nationally (NHS England
and the ten local area teams), or spread across the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). NHS
England is yet to respond formally to the consultation but the NA has had an early view of the draft
which says that 20% of neurology will be at national level and 80% locally with Clinical Commissioning
Groups.
SP expressed concern that some CCGs do not see the commissioning of neurological services as part of
their responsibilities. SP asked council if they come across CCGs that have proceeded on the basis
that they won’t be responsible for any neurological services to let SP know, so the NA can feedback to
NHS England.
- 30 -
Graham Venables (GV) confirmed that it is not mandatory for us to meet the service specification until
October. GV advised that he has pushed hard to ensure that neurology only centres also act as
providers of specialised neurology services. He warned that the identification rules for 2013 / 2014 will
still only include the neurology/ neurosurgery centres and will not be extending in this financial year.
GL agreed that it is crucial to push for that. GV also reported that Neuropsychiatry is back in
neurosciences and believes that nerve and muscle will be commissioned via a complex diseases CRG.
The draft work plan includes 13 themes to be addressed. Clinical Reference Group has been
completed; a new clinical membership has now been agreed with one representative of each senate
area. There are 4 places for organisations that provide quality assured education and training. GV
asked PC if the RCP wants to be represented by all 57 CRGs. PC replied that the RCP is aware of this
and is writing to all CRG chairs, relevant to medicine and offering the RCP as a relevant training
organisation. PC stated that the RCP looked to the JSC and SAC, given the training dimension, to
provide a member of the CRG under that heading. PC also commented that the RCP hopes to collect
all the relevant CRG chairs for a meeting at the college to try and get some common ground, similarly
with NCDs. PC said James Palmer was quite happy for the RCP to contact the chairs and offer their
services, so he assumes it will be the same for the ABN. GV welcomed the opportunity to have a
college representative. The other four places go to stakeholder groups.
SP stated that there are four places on each CRG for patient, carer, or patient representative /
organisation staff. She is applying for one of those places so the NA can bring its expertise to the
patient community. GV confirmed the deadline as late April.
GL asked how we set out the service specifications and define the work that needs to be done on them.
GV advised that we need to develop commissioning policies. The anonymous nature of the contents
limited their usefulness. GV recommended development of a robust productivity programme, work on
data pricing, other quality measures, assessment, service strategy, development programme, pathway
development programme. GL confirmed that the SSC and sections would very happily engage in this
process.
MR suggested that a diagram of all the different representations that are available to us be circulated
to council.
Action: GL and GV to produce a summarised document of the broad areas to send to council
and subsequently, ABN sections.
SP asked if the ABN could communicate the fact that the timelines are too tight to NHS England. SP
then left the meeting.
10.
TEC Report
RD reported three winners of the Undergraduate Prize, all of whom will be presenting at the Annual
Meeting. RD and Richard Butterworth would interview for the Australasian Fellowships after the council
meeting. RD’s tenure as chair of TEC is due for renewal in October 2013. RD is eligible to stand again
and he said that he wished to do so, MR confirmed that he has support from the Executive committee
in this regard and asked for council’s ratification so this. This was agreed.
11.
UEMS Report
UEMS meeting was attended by GL and LG. The ABN attends on behalf of the BMA which pays its
registration fee. GL noted that he and LG have a meeting with Jane Dacre in May to try and merge the
SCE with the European Exam so we would set a standard although LG indicated that there is a risk as
only Belgium and Austria had bought into it so far.
12.
Items for discussion
12.1
Executive Committee
MR explained that issues resulting from executive committee meetings had been dealt with earlier on
in the meeting.
- 31 -
12.5
Membership of Council incl. formal ratification of JL as Company Secretary
Council formally ratified the appointment of JL as the ABN’s new Company Secretary.
It was agreed that decisions need to be made by the trustees at the board of trustees. It was agreed
that a stroke specialist should be an observer, not a voting member of council. It was agreed to
change the term ‘observer’ to ‘non-voting member’. MR suggested that for the next council meeting
we have SAC and PC as a non-voting member. It was agreed that the Board of Trustees would make
decisions specific to the financial and legal management of the ABN, distinct from other council
business.
12.4
AGM
MR will open the AGM and then hand over to GF to run the meeting. All council will be present on
stage at the meeting table. MR stated that the proposed changes to the articles are needed to remain
legally compliant. The main changes are to reduce the complexity and to permit the appointment of
external trustees. PS raised the issue of the British Isles versus the United Kingdom. JL suggested
defining this at the beginning of the articles. This was agreed. Council agreed that the term should be
‘British Isles’ rather than ‘United Kingdom’.
Action: JL to add definition at the start of the articles, e.g. ‘British Isles, by which we
mean…’
The new articles contained unused numbers. JL explained this was due to changes in the document
and ease of comparing the new articles to old copies. It was agreed that the redundant paragraphs
should be removed and the articles renumbered.
MR requested council check the rules and send comments to JL. PS pointed out that the retirement
age of 65 is due to change to 68, as this is in the rules this can be easily updated.
12.7
ABN Office
LG explained that we should be tendering for our accountants, auditors and lawyers as due diligence.
LG and JL will go out to tender during the year, with a plan to change during the year and be ratified at
the next AGM.
12.8
Lease & Subletting
As MR is a Guarantor of BRAIN, GF chaired the item on Lease & Subletting to avoid conflict. GF
explained that the ABN is currently in negotiations with BRAIN to sublet the smaller office.
12.10 Website/IT update
JL reported that JL and JS met with a web designer, a programmer and a database specialist. The
greatest cost is the website interaction with the membership database. The quotation is £23k, BS
asked if it will be easier to make changes on the website, JL confirmed that it will be very easy, using
Wordpress as a CMS. The designer produced the website for the AMC and was recommended by Tina
Akpogheneta. MR asked for further quotes as due diligence.
12.11 Practical Neurology
JL updated council on the discussions that have taken place with Practical Neurology. Their proposal is
that they gift us 50% of the journal but that we pay for our members subscriptions. (Estimated at
£75,000 a year) we would then share in any profits. MR confirmed that the current free subscription
for members cannot continue. MR confirmed we will be asking for membership support to continue to
negotiate with Practical Neurology at the AGM.
12.12 NIHR CRN Neurological Specialties Group(s)
- 32 -
MR reported that DeNDRoN and Neurology will be grouped together as an overarching theme in the new NIHR CRN
reorganisation
12.13 Korean Neurological Association WCN 2017
Council agreed to leave this until a future council meeting nearer the decision time.
- 33 -
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 11 September 2013 at Ormond House,
27 Boswell Street, London WC1N 3JZ
Those present: Dr GN Fuller (President, Chair), Professor PEM Smith (President Elect), Professor MN
Rossor (Past President) Dr Ralph Gregory (Honorary Secretary), Dr Hadi Manji (Honorary Assistant
Secretary), Professor L Ginsberg (Honorary Treasurer), Dr RJ Davenport (Chair TEC), Prof. Huw Morris
(Chair CRAC), Professor NJ Scolding, Professor MM Reilly, Dr H Devine (ABNT), Dr RJ Butterworth
(SAC), Dr William Gibb, Dr Wojtek Rakowicz, Josie Shew (ABN), Joanne Lawrence (ABN), Anthony
Periera (BASP)
Professor Alastair Compston joined for item 5.3a.
1.
Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Dr JG Llewelyn (Chair SSC) and Patrick Cadigan (RCP)
2.
Minutes of the Council Meeting 17.04.13
Council approved the minutes of the last meeting as a true and accurate record of proceedings with the
following corrections: Mary Reilly should not appear in ‘present’. Item 11, UEMS report was attended
by LG and GL, not LG and RG, Professor ‘Daker’ should read ‘Dacre’.
2.1
Matters arising
GF opened the meeting by welcoming Helen Devine as new Chair of the ABNT committee and thanked
retiring chair Biba Stanton in her absence, for all her hard work in this role to date.
3.
Standing items
3.1
Draft Minutes, Annual General Meeting, 23 May 2013, confirmed as for information only.
3.2
Minutes: SSC, 23.07.13, confirmed as for information only.
GF noted that the Audit and Revalidation committee will be part of the SSC, rather than a separate
committee. The minutes were confirmed as being for information only.
3.3
Minutes: CRAC, 23 May 2013, confirmed as for information only.
4.
Treasurer’s Report
4.1
Draft Budget and Management Accounts to June 2013
Lionel Ginsberg (LG) thanked Joanne Lawrence (JL) and Dawn Moore (DM) for their hard work in
preparing the financial background for the draft budget and Management Accounts. LG confirmed that
the 2013 budget was an estimate, that the income and expenditure has been grouped in order to
follow the main trends, and that there remained a small number of caveats about the figures. Final
income from Glasgow has yet to be confirmed as we are awaiting income from Affinity. Annual
subscriptions are much healthier than last year. LG explained that the June figure for the SCE exam is
zero because we receive the income and expenditure from the college later in the autumn, also that
the expenditure figure represented the worst case scenario. HRM suggested we should press the SCE
board to try to increase uptake of the exam and increase profit. LG stated this is a work in progress.
He talked through the draft budget with council. LG and JL explained that this year has seen costs
related to changes to governance and that 2014’s budget should have less expenditure in this regard.
4.2
Financial report from the Glasgow Meeting
LG informed council that there is likely to be a small deficit of £5000, the reason being the expense of
the venue. He mentioned that as part of the ABN strategy, it was agreed to rotate venues/cities, so
this way we can prepare ourselves for a deficit when we visit Glasgow in the future, if we use the same
venue. The figure includes consultancy from Affinity, but not office contribution. Ralph Gregory (RG)
mentioned that the deficit offsets the surplus made on previous meetings and that Glasgow was our
best attended meeting to date.
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4.3
Office Remuneration
JL and Josie Shew (JS) left the room for this discussion.
5.
Honorary Secretary’s Report
5.1
ABN Sections, Special Interest Groups and Affiliated Societies
RG confirmed that we now have ten ABN sections including two new sections; Acute Neurology and
Neurorehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury. Existing members with just one exception and all
chairs have agreed to stay in post for another two years. The MS section has 13 members as opposed
to 10. It is the busiest section with the highest number of consultations. The sections SOP has been
updated to read ‘up to ten, except in exceptional circumstances’.
RG recapped that a special interest group is a group consisting of ABN members only, and an affiliated
society consists of ABN members and non-ABN members. RG stated that we currently have 8 groups
collectively, with the vast majority being affiliated societies, for example, the Peripheral Nerve Society,
Neuro-ophthalmology, African Interest Group, Motor Neurone Disease and Neurocritical Care. RG
updated council with two new groups, Cognition and Movement Disorders which are the only SIGs.
Mary Reilly (MRe) asked if the British Myology Society was a Special Interest Group. It was confirmed
that it is not and this was due to past confusion over terminology.
ACTION: MRe to approach the British Myology Society and invite it to become an Affiliated
Society of the ABN.
RG stated that we will be offering SIGs a session at next year’s meeting. Hadi Manji (HM) agreed that
we have enough rooms for all of them to have a session including case presentations and discussions.
This will hopefully encourage other members to set up a SIG.
11.6
ABN approach to work on prescribing guidelines
RG explained that the ABN was approached by NICE about becoming a NICE accredited guideline
writing group. There has been a system in place for four years whereby a society or a body can have
its process accredited by NICE, the process being the way it writes reviews. The accreditation is not
for the content of the guidelines, rather the methodology used. The body will then receive a kite mark
for 5 years. RG explained that we were asked if we would be re-writing our MS guidelines from 2009.
A discussion followed in which it was decided there were two issues, whether we should look into being
accredited by NICE and whether we should re-write the MS guidelines. Council agreed it was happy for
Neil Scolding (NS) to explore re-writing the MS guidelines with other charities’ input.
ACTION: RG to ask ABN sections their opinion on NICE accreditation for guidelines
ACTION: NS to explore re-writing the MS guidelines with other charities.
11.7
ABN approach to requests for political support (e.g. PiP request from Disability Alliance)
NS had been approached by a group related to MS saying they were concerned about the new
disability benefit processes, and that they would like the MS section of the ABN to sign an open letter,
addressed to the government, about the potential impact on individuals with disability. GF explained
that the Executive Committee had previously discussed the case and felt insufficiently expert on the
issues being raised to offer professional support. After discussion it was decided that the ABN should
not close the door on political cases, but should only get involved if it has sufficient knowledge on the
subject matter.
5.3a
WFN – nomination for President
This item was discussed before Alastair Compston (AC) arrived at the meeting. RG explained that AC
is a WFN delegate and chair of the constitutional procedures committee at the WFN. Raad Shakir is
one of three nominees for the role of WFN President. AC has asked for council’s view on the vote from
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the ABN. RG also explained that the ABN had been asked to write a letter to support Raad Shakir’s
candidacy. It was agreed that council would discuss this with Alastair before sending the letter. A
discussion took place and council voted unopposed in favour of supporting Raad Shakir in his
candidacy.
AC joined the discussion. AC explained that each WFN delegate that attends can vote, and carry a few
proxy votes. AC asked for council’s views on the three candidates before casting his vote. AC
explained that he had advised Raad Shakir against canvassing for support, as he feels it would hinder,
rather than help him as canvassing that has taken place thus far has been more counter than
productive. AC confirmed that it was a private ballot and he is voting for himself with the advice of the
ABN, rather than on behalf of the ABN. GF suggested that we take no part in canvassing and this was
agreed by council. AC briefly introduced each candidate and asked for council’s views on each as WFN
President. GF stated that council has agreed to support Raad Shakir and recommended this decision to
AC. AC confirmed he hasn’t been asked to vote for any other organisation. GF thanked AC for his
involvement at the council meeting. AC left the meeting.
5.2
Practical Neurology
RG explained that GF and PS have a conflict of interest and invited council to allow them to remain
present but not participate in the discussion. Council agreed to this. RG explained that BMJ wants to
charge our membership for receiving a hard copy of Practical Neurology and also accessing it online.
RG suggested increasing subscription rates to cover the cost of this. RG explained that the BMJ
proposes that we own 50% of Practical Neurology in return for half the rack rate. NS suggested that
there are legal issues that need clarification in terms of how much of the journal we own and raised the
question, ‘how can we own it if we are also paying for it?’. LG suggested we ask for financial advice
from our trustees. GF explained that the existence of the journal depends on ABN members
subscriptions. RG asked council for permission to move forward with the plans. Council agreed that
we should continue negotiations.
5.3
Risk Register
Council accepted the risk register as an accurate assessment of the risks to the ABN.
6.
Meetings Committee
HM stated that the Glasgow meeting was successful, with 609 delegates, the highest to date. The GP
session had 30 GPs and the feedback was excellent. The only negative feedback received was the
quality of the meat at the gala dinner.
6.1
RCP/ABN Joint Meeting London 23/24 October 2013
HM updated council on the programme for the 24 October ABN meeting and confirmed we have 120
delegates so far.
6.2
Programme, ABN Annual Meeting, Cardiff, 7-9 May 2013
HM confirmed that the programme for Cardiff has been finalised with Martin Samuels as the Gordon
Holmes Lecturer. Matthew Kiernan will give the ABN Annual Lecture along with a peripheral nerve
session.
6.3
ABN/BASP Joint Meeting October 2014
HM explained that we are still in the process of planning the meeting with the British Association of
Stroke Physicians, this will be held in Stratford. GF suggested that the meeting could consist of Stroke
and Neurology as a combination, as opposed to two parallel days on each subject.
7.
ABNT Report
7.1
Mentoring
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HD described the ABNT Mentoring scheme, devised to promote interest in neurology amongst
Foundation doctors, then, if successful, extending the scheme to CMT or medical students. The
scheme would be part of the ABN, with ABN members signing up to become a mentor and receive
advice on mentoring. The idea would then be for the mentors and mentees to meet once or twice a
year at the ABN meeting and perhaps at a junior doctors interest group meeting, with email contact inbetween. HD confirmed that people have less time in medical school studying neurology, and could
even complete their course without doing any neurology at all. HD suggested a pilot of 2 years in
Wales, with feedback to the ABNT with any problems. If successful, the scheme could extend across
other areas of the UK. GF commended the ABNT on its work and gave council’s full support. Richard
Davenport (RD) wondered if the ABNT should use more than one pilot site. HD agreed there’s a lot of
enthusiasm for it. MRe agreed that having Registrars as mentors is beneficial, as they are less
intimidating than consultants and know more about the current system. She suggested creating the
scheme as informally as possible as, in her recent experience, it’s easy to become preoccupied with
rules and paperwork. It was agreed that the scheme should go ahead, as part of the ABN strategy.
RB stated that it’s important to be clear of the end points and have a clear definition of goals and how
they will be reached and analysed. HD agreed and has had previous discussions relating to this in
ABNT meetings.
HD also advised council of a day at the Royal Society of Medicine for medical students interested in
neurology.
AP asked if the ABNT fed into the Royal College’s survey about the Future Hospitals and Shape of
Training. It was confirmed that the ABN gave feedback, not the ABNT.
8.
CRAC Report
8.1
BNSU
Huw Morris (HRM) reported that there will be the facility to download notification documents and have
them sent out automatically on the BNSU section of the new ABN website. MR asked if the ABN
receive feedback on BNSU reports. HRM confirmed that we do, with posters and platform
presentations at the recent ABN annual meeting.
8.2
Fellowship Scheme 2014
HRM confirmed he has initiated contact with pharmaceutical companies, and is working on receiving
feedback from current fellows on the scheme. HRM stated we need to contact charities and generate
some publicity to see which charities want to enter into the scheme next year. HRM asked for a
council discussion on the appeal to members for donations to support the scheme. LG and HRM are
generating a letter to go out to members that will contain information about the scheme. The next
subscription round is June 2014, so an appeal letter going out shortly before Christmas would be the
best timing. HRM suggested asking members to make a donation of a minimum of £20-30 and if they
wanted to donate more, giving them the option to do so. HRM updated council on a discussion that
took place on the Executive Committee regarding an automatic levy on subscriptions, the result of
which was the feeling that members should be asked to donate rather than it being a default levy
added to the subscription. GF suggested we need to generate an appropriate package for Pharma and
charities to encourage them to take part in the scheme.
9.
TEC Report
RD updated Council with a careers fair at the RCP on 21 September in which the ABN is to be
represented by Professor Tom Warner and Dr Jon Rohrer.
ACTION: RD to ask Jon Rohrer to suggest a student willing to represent the ABNT at the
careers fair.
RD confirmed that we will be launching the Undergraduate Prize in the latter half of the year. MR
asked if we have any feedback from previous Undergraduate Prize winners. RD agreed that this might
be useful in the future.
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RD explained to council that TEC was approached by a group in Edinburgh running its second
undergraduate neurology/neuroscience meeting in February 2014 asking for sponsorship. RD replied
and asked if there was anything we could help with. RD asked for council’s permission to continue to
engage and involve ABNT to make the ABN’s presence felt. Council agreed.
ACTION: RD to continue connections with student groups.
The Self Assessment Exercise will be implemented this year for the second time. RD asked members
for feedback and questions and has not yet received any comments. RD would like people to be able
to submit their answers in order to download their certificate online.
RD explained that Julia Pakpoor from Cambridge approached TEC with an interest in creating a survey
amongst UK medical students about attitudes to neurology. Julia created a draft and RD is editing it
on behalf of the ABN as role of chair of TEC.
11.5
Brazil exchange – future
RD explained that the Brazilian Exchange information has just been included in the ABN newsletter,
inviting members to apply with a closing date of end of November, to attend the Brazilian neurology
meeting in November 2014 in Brazil. This will be the end of the 4 year cycle. The Brazilians are keen
to continue the exchange; this was put to council for discussion. Currently, the ABN pay for the travel,
and the Brazilians pay for the accommodation, with the roles reversing for Brazilian applicants. A
discussion followed in which it was decided that we should not continue the exchange, but continue
with our international link, also exploring other countries. MRe suggested stopping the exchange but
offering free registration to our annual meeting for one Brazilian neurologist, so as to further
emphasise the international link with Brazil.
ACTION: RD to take forward and produce a document detailing next steps.
10.
SSC Report
RG gave the SSC report in the absence of Gareth Llewelyn.
10.1
SCN letter
RG explained that a letter was sent to all members of the SSC in English regions, asking them to send
to all Consultants and Trainees in their region, so far not many have been sent. A message was also
included in the newsletter.
ACTION: Office to send letter to Consultants and Trainees in UK regions, signed by Gareth.
10.2
Audit and Revalidation
RG drew council’s attention to the document in the pack, summarising proposal for an Audit and
Revalidation committee.
10.3
Job Planning
RG stated we are awaiting the initial commissioning consultation, due for comment early October.
11.
Items for discussion
11.1
Elections (ABN council, TEC, CRAC)
GF updated council with upcoming elections for TEC, CRAC and council. RD asked if the chairs of TEC
and CRAC are also regional representatives. JL confirmed that was agreed at the recent AGM in
Glasgow. JL suggested that SSC, TEC and CRAC should have comparable membership rules and the
rules be modified at Cardiff AGM. Council agreed. RD asked if the office has a way of contacting
members within their region. JL and JS explained we have this system in place. RD confirmed that the
rules had been changed to one representative per region. JL confirmed that the council ballot papers
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will go out this week. RG suggested we ask for nominations for Treasurer and Secretary Elect at the
same time.
ACTION: JL to propose the rule change at the next AGM (SSC, TEC & CRAC membership
rules to be comparable).
ACTION: JS to send council ballot papers to members including nomination forms for
Treasurer Elect Honorary Assistant Secretary.
11.2
ABN Trustees
GF informed council that the meeting with the two new trustees was taking place after the council
meeting. JL explained that Elisabeth Baltay is a city lawyer, who specialises in financial products and
has a personal intellectual interest in neurology and GF stated that Lord Stanley Fink was introduced to
the ABN via Hadi Manji. GF stated that they both have outstanding CVs and he is hoping they will
bring a lot of expertise to the ABN.
11.3
ABN Strategy – development
GF explained that JL has prepared a document that denotes progress on the ABN strategy. GF
congratulated RG on his progress on affiliations with other societies. The new website will allow us to
launch the prospect of a Medical Student membership category. GF suggested that MRo, GF, RG and
PS produce a series of definitions of membership categories to present at the next AGM. GF stated
that we have made good progress on a number of points in our strategy including the demographic
nature of TEC and CRAC, the research fund, Practical Neurology, mentorship for the UK, joint meetings
overseas and appointing lay trustees.
ACTION: GF to develop a membership category document in time for the next council
meeting in January.
11.4
ABN Medallist
GF stated that Chris Kennard, Michael Hutchinson, David Bates, Victor Patterson and Andrew Lees had
been suggested as candidates to receive the ABN award. Andrew Lees was considered last year and
Chris Kennard and Michael Hutchinson were both shortlisted. GF asked if council could choose two or
three candidates as a shortlist, which will then be voted upon. A discussion followed in which it was
decided that the shortlisted Medallists for 2014 are Chris Kennard, Michael Hutchinson and Andrew
Lees.
ACTION: JL to send an email to council members asking for votes for the ABN Medallist.
11.8
ABN Executive Committee
Council agreed they were all receiving the minutes from the Executive Committee teleconferences on a
weekly basis.
11.9
ABN Office
11.9a Website
JL updated council on progress with the new ABN website. She explained that the office have had
conversations with heads of committees to ensure a website that is suitable for their needs. JL showed
images of various website ideas. JL explained that the front page will always show a snapshot of
events, news, how to become a member, and patient and carer information. JL explained that the
patient and carer section will be populated with links and information to other charities and bodies able
to recommend a neurologist etc. rather than fresh information from the ABN. MR suggested that
Meetings and Events be more prominent, as this is one of the common reasons for visitors to the site.
JL demonstrated the menu headings and explained that these can change if council wishes. JL asked
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members of council to send any relevant images to the ABN office for use on the website. Feedback
from council was that the website looks user friendly and professional. HD raised the concern that the
content has previously been difficult to change. JL confirmed that we will have control over content
and will be able to change content from the office. Next steps will be for our web designers to create
workable templates. The website will be mobile friendly. HD asked about links to social media, JL
confirmed this is also included in our plan.
11.10 Dates of 2014 Meetings
GF confirmed the dates for 2014 council meetings as follows:
15 January 2014, 16 April 2014, 17 September 2014.
12. Any Other Business
There was no other business.
- 40 -
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 15 January 2014 at Ormond House, 27
Boswell Street, London WC1N 3JZ
Those present: Dr GN Fuller (President, Chair), Professor PEM Smith (President Elect), Dr Ralph
Gregory (Honorary Secretary), Dr Hadi Manji (Honorary Assistant Secretary), Professor L Ginsberg
(Honorary Treasurer), Dr RJ Davenport (Chair TEC), Professor Huw Morris (Chair CRAC), Dr G Llewelyn
(Chair SSC), Professor NJ Scolding, Professor MM Reilly, Dr William Gibb, Dr Wojtek Rakowicz, Dr Paul
Worth, Dr Alasdair Coles, Josie Shew (ABN), Joanne Lawrence (ABN), Anthony Pereira (BASP)
Professor MN Rossor (Past President) joined the meeting late.
Lord Stanley Fink (lay trustee) joined the meeting at 11.30.
Elisabeth Baltay (lay trustee) joined the meeting at 11.30.
1.
Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Dr Helen Devine (ABNT), Dr Richard Butterworth (SAC), and Dr Patrick
Cadigan (RCP).
2.
Minutes of the Council Meeting 17.09.13
Minutes of the last meeting were approved with the following corrections: 11.4, spelling of Victor
Pattison, should be ‘Patterson’. 5.3a, should read ‘unopposed’ not ‘unanimous’, 10.1 SCN letter was
sent to English regions, not UK regions, 9. RD ‘testing’ should read ‘editing’, 6.2; ‘our’ Gordon Holmes
lecture should be changed to ‘the’ Gordon Holmes lecture, Professor ‘Graham Warner’ should read
‘Tom Warner’.
2.1
Matters arising
GF opened the meeting by welcoming two new members of council, Dr Paul Worth and Dr Alasdair
Coles, and congratulating them on their appointment.
3.
Standing items
3.1
3.2
SSC Minutes, 23 July 2013, confirmed as for information only.
CRAC Minutes, 26 September 2013, confirmed as for information only.
4.
Meetings Committee
4.1
Report from RCP/ABN Joint Meeting London 23/24 October 2013
Hadi Manji (HM) reported that over 200 delegates attended the Acute Neurology day on 23 October,
one of the highest number of delegates for a specialty meeting at the Royal College of Physicians. 198
delegates attended the ABN meeting on 24 October, with excellent feedback. The ABN received no
financial benefit from the Acute Neurology day however, following a teleconference with John Wass and
administrators of the RCP (attended by Lionel Ginsberg (LG), Geraint Fuller (GF) and Joanne Lawrence
(JL) it was agreed that the RCP would develop a financial model for future joint meetings for discussion
with the ABN. Phil Smith (PS) reiterated that it was a very successful meeting with great potential for
future meetings, provided we adhere to ground rules, set by the ABN.
4.2
4.2a
Programme, ABN Annual Meeting, Cardiff, 7-9 May 2013
Medical student & trainee sessions
HM reviewed the Cardiff programmes including the student roadshow and the trainee session on 6 May
2014. New for 2014, Huw Morris (HRM) and Will Whiteley have organised a research session at the
end of the trainee session.
4.2b
GP session
The GP “Need to know Neurology” session has been organised by Ralph Gregory (RG).
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4.2c
Main meeting
HM confirmed all speakers as attending and Marty Samuels as the invited speaker. HM confirmed that
the Guarantors of Brain were not funding the 2014 Gordon Holmes Lecture this year. HM suggested an
early meeting with the Guarantors of Brain prior to the 2015 meeting. Matthew Kiernan will give the
annual lecture. Michael Hutchinson is the ABN medallist. There will be a video link of Michael’s lecture
to the Irish Neurology meeting in Belfast. Dafydd Thomas has been confirmed as the after dinner
speaker at the Gala Dinner. The Special Interest Groups each have a session available at the meeting.
There will be five symposia, two parallel lunchtime sessions and one breakfast session. The meetings
app will be managed by Josie Shew.
4.3
ABN/BASP Joint Meeting October 2014.
HM has been finalising the programme for the Stratford meeting on 30 Sept/1 Oct 2014. The finances
will be shared between the ABN and the BASP. 215 delegates will be needed to break even, trainees
will be encouraged. There will be a limited number of posters and an opportunity for case
presentations. Maximum capacity is 330.
5.
ABNT Report
Helen Devine (HD) sent a report in her absence. GF commented that the mentoring scheme is a very
positive step forward and the launch will coincide with the Cardiff meeting. Trainees are concerned
about the Shape of Training report. (ref item 7).
6.
CRAC Report
HRM confirmed that CRAC was now quorate, current members being Nin Bajaj, Donald Grosset, David
Burn, Martin Turner, Khalid Hamandi, John Zajicek (CLRN rep), Rehiana Ali (ABNT rep), Huw Morris
(London rep and chair).
6.1
BNSU
Rustam Salman (RS) is in Australia on sabbatical. HRM and RS will be trialling the new BNSU database
when ready for testing. RS and HRM were in discussion with Janet Messer of the Health Regulation
Authority about the method of notification of cases with the BNSU. With the advent of Patient
Identification Centres, the guidelines were rewritten to confirm that it is not necessary for each BNSU
case to receive individual ethical approval.
ACTION: HRM and RS to circulate revised BNSU guidelines to council.
Dr Nick Gutowski has stepped down for notification of Duane syndrome and HRM congratulated him on
his work in this area.
HRM reiterated that CRAC has a new seminar in the Cardiff meeting entitled “How to get ahead in
research”, primarily directed towards SpRs and trainees interested in research but is open to
everybody to attend.
7.
TEC Report
There are a number of different student groups around the UK; TEC is hoping the new ABN website will
be able to bring the various groups together. ABNT has created a document that can be used as a
poster and a leaflet to encourage students to study neurology. Applications for the Undergraduate
prize have been lower than previous years. Winners of the Prize will be celebrated on the website.
7.1
New constitution and members
Richard Davenport (RD) confirmed that TEC is now quorate, with three new members, Daniel
Blackburn, Haider Katifi and Brendan McLean.
7.2
Self-assessment exercise
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Joanne Lawrence (JL) demonstrated a new format for the self-assessment exercise which will be
available through the members’ only area of the ABN website. The result will appear on a printable
certificate, only accessible once the questions have been answered. The format of the certificate will
be agreed with council before launch of the new exercise.
7.3
Undergraduate teaching review
The last document the ABN produced was in 2006, it has been agreed that this should be updated. RD
has been working on it and Mark Wiles has expressed an interest. Julia Pakpoor conducted a survey
among medical students regarding attitudes to neurology and a career in neurology, which has been
accepted. The result of the survey confirms that neurology still remains a desirable specialty, but
neurophobia still exists.
7.4
Shape of Training
RCP has issued a set of questions on SoT to be returned by 20th Jan, ahead of a meeting on 30 January
(GF will attend). Richard Butterworth (RB) on behalf of the SAC has already submitted some
comments. RJD has drafted an ABN response and invited council to comment on the draft. It was
agreed that the ABN’s response would be critical of the Shape of Training proposal.
Action: RJD to rewrite response based on council’s discussion and circulate to council.
8
SSC Report
8.1
Audit and Revalidation
GL explained that the Audit and Revalidation Committee (ARC) will be chaired by Nick Silver as a
subgroup of the SSC. PS has created a document to explain the aim of the committee. Jenny Quirk is
currently revalidation representative for the RCP. As she has left SSC her role will be taken by the chair
of ARC. GL queried whether ARC should review guidelines produced by the ABN. GF suggested this
might be done by a separate group, in communication with ARC. GF mentioned that the SSC’s
proposal for the Acute Headache Guideline from NCEPOD has been provisionally accepted. GL
explained that all members of SSC are welcome to attend the first meeting of ARC.
8.2
Job planning
GL thanked Anthony Pereira, NS and HRM for their input. A discussion followed regarding the detail of
the job planning document.
8.3
8.3a
8.3b
Commissioning
Specialist and CCG
ABN commissioning guidelines
GL confirmed that the ABN has responded to the specialist commissioning document produced by
David Bateman and Graham Venables. GF gave a background to the CCG document, explaining that
almost all of neurology will be CCG commissioned, as opposed to all of neurology performed at
neuroscience centres being specialist. David Bateman’s strategy is to create a commissioning
document that clearly outlines responsibilities.
8.4
Strategic clinical networks
GL explained that the SCN letter sent to ABN members last year contributed to people becoming
involved. RG suggested sharing the different SCN models of how mental health, dementia and
neurology have been split with members. JL stated that the ABN had been approached by an
independent research company which had been asked by East Midlands to put together a study about
neurological services in the region. It was agreed that data collated from the Acute Neurology Survey
should be held at the ABN, the question being who should have access to this data.
9
Honorary Secretary’s Report
9.1
NICE Accreditation Generic guidelines Section
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RG explained that NICE has offered accreditation to bodies that write guidelines and has accredited 60
processes to date. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has achieved accreditation. Once accreditation
(and the NICE kite mark) is awarded, the individual guidelines will not be individually reviewed by
NICE. 36 ABN members responded to an email asking for interest in the process of guideline
development within the ABN more generally. Paul Worth (PW) has been looking into the accreditation
process which is fairly exhaustive and can take up to 6 months. Applicants are invited to send
guidelines that they have already developed in support of the accreditation application; NICE will
consider guidelines developed within the last three years, of which the ABN has developed only one, as
evidential of rigorous guideline development . BTS has developed a guideline development document
and a ‘Standards of care committee’. It has the role of guideline development as its first remit, with
research and responsibility for identifying gaps in knowledge exposed by the guideline development
process. It is possible that we would need to write more guidelines before applying for NICE
accreditation. NS expressed reservations, believing that the ABN’s expertise and experience is
sufficient in itself to produce authoritative guidelines without NICE endorsement and that NICE
accreditation could compromise the ABN’s independence. Martin Rossor (MR) asked if the ABN could
choose which guidelines have the NICE kite mark as this would eliminate the problem.
[GF welcomed Elisabeth Baltay and Lord Fink, who joined the meeting from this point.]
Mary Reilly (MRe) asked for clarification of the benefits of accreditation for the next council meeting.
PW confirmed that the standards required for NICE accreditation are exacting but to some extent
generic, and would be useful for the ABN to follow, even if it were to decide not to apply for
accreditation. PW suggested that the ABN should focus on writing guidelines to these high standards in
the first instance. GF and council agreed that the primary objective was writing guidelines that the
ABN felt could be important. HRM suggested asking BTS why they felt accreditation was important.
ACTION: PW to circulate his findings to council.
9.2
ABN neurology Quality Standards
David Bateman had asked that the ABN consider Quality Standards for areas not yet covered by NICE.
RG confirmed that the ABN sections have been writing quality standards for approval by the executive
committee and explained that the quality standards will tie in with the Commissioning Toolkit. They will
be called ‘ABN working guidelines’ to emphasise that there may be a NICE quality standard or a
change. 9.3 Consultations
RG informed council that the ABN has been asked to contribute to 50 consultations for NICE and other
bodies, each year since 2011.
9.4
ABN sections, special interest groups and affiliated societies
RG defined the 3 types as:
 Sections: appointed by council and answerable to council,
 Special interest groups and affiliated societies are separate from council and are independent e.g.
would not be asked to contribute to guidelines
o Special Interest Groups only consist of ABN members
o Affiliated societies can be ABN and non ABN members.
Three new special interest groups/affiliated societies have requested recognition from the ABN. Council
agreed that Movement Disorders (currently BRING) and Traumatic Brain Injury should become special
interest groups, and British Myology Society be recognised as an affiliated society.
9.4.a
Section questionnaire review
RG informed council that sections had responded to a recent questionnaire as follows:


Writing guidelines: there was a general lack of interest regarding guidelines, with the exception of
one or two sections.
Lay person on section: Sections generally didn’t want a lay person unless they already knew of a
suitable candidate.
- 44 -

Generalist on section: there was general enthusiasm amongst sections to have a generalist. RG
suggested a specific council member be in each group to help with consultations. GF suggested
that a generalist from the Acute Neurology section join each section.

ACTION: RG to speak to Ed Dunn
9.4.b Ratify Movement disorder, TBI SIGs and Myology Affiliated Society
This was ratified by council under section 9.4.
9.5
Membership – amendments to rules:
RG suggested the following changes to rules:


only one signature of support be required for student and junior membership, as opposed to the
existing two. Council agreed this change.
that members can elect to resign ordinary membership and become a senior member when they
reach retirement age, even if still working. ABN Articles of Association state that only ordinary
members may vote. A discussion followed regarding membership fees for all categories. Elisabeth
Baltay (EB) confirmed allowing members still in practice the option to continue to pay and receive
the right to vote was acceptable from a legal perspective. NS suggested the term ‘practising’
should refer to those members still on the specialist register. EB asked if the category ‘senior’
should be changed to ‘non practising’. HRM agreed. GF suggested that council establish a
watertight and acceptable definition for senior member for 2014, and suggest adjusting
membership fees at a later date.
ACTION: JL to rewrite suggestion of membership rule change.
9.6
Practical Neurology update
RG updated council that negotiations are underway with BMJ with further negotiations taking place on
the afternoon of council, to co-own Practical Neurology. EB added that we need clarity about editorial
and care management. MRe added her strong support to the proposal. RG added that only senior
members do not have online access to Practical Neurology, the proposal being that we allow them
access to the journal online. NS added his support to the proposal. Alastair Coles (AC) expressed his
concern over the ABN’s lack of editorial input. EB confirmed that point will be discussed at the
upcoming meeting.
9.7
Nominations for EAN forthcoming elections
RG explained that we have been invited to nominate people for the EAN elections. A notice was
circulated in the newsletter and proposals for nominations are Christopher Kennard for President,
Martin Rossor for Vice President and Nin Bajaj for Secretary General and Member at Large. Council
approved the nominations.
9.8
Risk Register
The Risk Register was presented to council for information, with no issues arising.
10
Treasurer’s Report
10.1
Draft Management Accounts to December 2013
LG updated council with the draft management accounts. LG stated that there was a small deficit in
2013.
10.2 Financial report from 2013 meetings (Glasgow and RCP)
- 45 -
LG stated that both meetings in 2013 made a small loss. JL explained that we are slightly changing
how expenditure is counted, by looking at in house and management costs. LG thanked JL and Dawn
Moore for successfully chasing subscriptions. LG stressed that the figures are draft, with audit starting
at the end of January.
10.3 Office Remuneration
JS left the meeting for this discussion.
11
Items for Discussion:
11.1
Elections (ABN Council, TEC, CRAC) Not discussed
11.2
Acute Neurology Survey
JL stated we are close to covering all UK Health trusts/Health Boards with over 200 responses at the
time of the meeting. The results will be presented at the AGM.
11.3 International relations
11.3a Brazilian exchange
RD updated council that the Brazilian exchange has been running for four years; Martin Turner has
applied for 2014. Council ratified the decision. GF suggested that the Brazilian exchange discontinue
after this year. This was supported by council.
11.3b Sri Lanka
GF, RG and NS attended the Association of Sri Lankan Neurology meeting. The ABN has been
instrumental in the development of neurology in Sri Lanka. The suggestion was that we were investing
too much energy into Sri Lanka and not broadening our international links with other countries. GF
explained that they have built their training schemes on the British system, with most of them
attending the UK during their training. The relationship has been very helpful but there have been
increasing problems for the trainees getting access to the UK due to visa problems. So Sri Lanka is
beginning to explore relationships with Australia, Singapore and other countries. GF suggested that we
had ABN Sri Lankan fellows, that facilitated their ability to obtain a visa, and would allow us to help
them to find appropriate appointments. GF asked for council’s approval. JL reported a discussion with
Laura Bailey at the RCP: they perceive greatest need of help to be in the allocation of posts (currently
takes 6 to 9 months). The RCP would welcome any formal support from the ABN in identifying or
directing people towards posts. GF suggested inviting fellows to the ABN annual meeting. AC
expressed concern about investing so much in one international relationship, at the detriment of other
relationships. GF asked if we should be actively seeking out relationships with other countries. LG
confirmed that a number of different members in addition to council have participated in the scheme.
ACTION: GF to create an SOP of the Sri Lankan scheme.
11.4
Fellowship Scheme 2014
HRM proposed, following discussion with Lord Fink, that the ABN underwrite an ABN Fellowship and
then seek to replenish funds via industry and individuals. Donations may be invited at time of Annual
Subscriptions via an ‘opt in’ tick box. A letter will be sent in Q1, alerting people to the scheme, a
launch of the scheme in Cardiff, and initiating collection of the finance with the Annual subscriptions in
June 2014. The possibility of a patron’s day was discussed as well as industry sponsorship and fund
raising events. Richard Butterworth suggested that the timetable was brought forward slightly, to be
more in line with recruitment of LATs. GF congratulated HRM and LG on their hard work. Council
approved allocation of £50,000 for the first three years to underwrite the fellowship scheme.
11.5 Neurological Alliance
11.5.a ABN representation – not discussed.
- 46 -
11.6
ABN Strategy – update
GF updated council that we are making progress with the strategy.
11.7
ABN website
The website is progressing well.
11.8
Update of Year of the Brain
Council agreed to have the Cardiff meeting badged with the Year of the Brain logo.
12 Any Other Business
Closing dates for Treasurer Elect and Honorary Assistant Secretary are 31 January 2014.
- 47 -
APPENDIX 2
ABN HONORARY MEMBERS (25)
Sir Roger Bannister
Professor Roger Boyle CBE
Dr Aelwyn Davies-Jones
Professor Alan Emery
Dr Richard Godwin-Austen
Dr Jeffrey Graham
Professor Peter Harper
Professor Michael Harrison
Professor James Heron
Mr James Kinnier Wilson
Professor John Marshall
Dr Jonathan Miller
Dr Pauline Monro
Professor David Parkes
Professor Mark Rees
Dr Ralph Ross Russell
Professor David Shaw
Dr Sheldon
Dr John Spalding
Dr Gerald Stern
Professor Raymond Tallis
Mrs Susan Tann
Dr John Walshe
Lord John Walton of Detchant
Professor Simon Wessely
ABN HONORARY FOREIGN MEMBERS (50)
Professor Johan Aarli
Professor Yves Agid
Dr Art Asbury
Professor Henry Barnett Emeritus
Professor Sam Berkovic
Professor Bharucha
Professor Marie-Germaine Bousser
Professor Thomas Brandt
Professor Jagjit Chopra
Professor Geoff Donnan
Professor Mervyn Eadie
Dr Joseph Foley
Professor Freund
Professor Vivian Fritz
Professor Ranjani Gamage
Professor Glaser
Professor Saman Gunatilake
Dr Tsu-Pei Hung
Professor Richard Johnson
Professor Jun Kimura
Professor James Lance
Professor John Leigh
Professor Richard Lindley
Dr Mazziotta
Professor McLeod
Dr Millikan
Professor Jes Olesen
Dr Peiris
Professor Paolo Pinelli
Dr John Pollard
Dr Jerome Posner
Professor William Pryse-Phillips
Professor Marcus Raichle
Dr Udaya Kumara Ranawaka
Dr Mohamed Thowfeek Mohamed Riffsy
Professor Allen Roses
Dr Lewis Rowland
Dr Oliver Sacks
Professor Gerard Said
Professor Georges Serratrice
Professor Bhim Singhal
Professor Tolosa
Dr James Toole
Professor Ole-Bjorn Tysnes
Professor Jan van Gijn
Professor Athasit Vejjajiva
Dr Nashir Wadia
Professor Stephen Waxman
Professor Peter Whitehouse
Professor Shirley Wray
- 48 -
APPENDIX 3
ABN SECTIONS
Acute Neurology
Cognition
Chair
Chair
Ed Dunn
Leeds
David Dick
Norwich
Dominic Paviour
London (St. George's)
Kirsty Harkness
Sheffield
Robin Howard
London (South East)
Adrian Wills
Nottingham
Maxwell Damian
Cambridge
David Nicholl
Birmingham
Graham Venables
Sheffield
Stuart Weatherby
Plymouth
Chris Butler
Engelbert Puschmann
Cath Mummery
Jeremy Isaacs
Paresh Malhotra
Adam Zeman
Liz Coulthard
Andrea Cavanna
Oxford
Isle of Wight
London
London
London
Exeter
Bristol
Birmingham
Jerry Brown
Cambridge
Michael O’Sullivan
London
Epilepsy
Chair
Susan Duncan
Tony Marson
Michael Johnson
Howard Faulkner
Kasia Sieradzan
Edinburgh
Liverpool
London
Bristol
Bristol
Headache & Pain
Chair
Brendan Davies
Anish Bahra
Fayyaz Ahmed
Manjit Matharu
Giles Elrington
Sam Chong
David Bennett
Stoke
London
Hull
London
London
London
Oxford
Nick Silver
Liverpool
Carl Clarke
Malcolm Steiger
Paola Piccini
Donald Grosset
Oliver Bandmann
Sophie Molloy
Prasad Korlipara
Jeremy Stern
David Burn
Marie-Helene Marion
Birmingham
Liverpool
London
Glasgow
Sheffield
London
London
London
Newcastle
London
Movement Disorders
Chair
- 49 -
MS & Inflammation
Chair
Neil Scolding
Waqar Rashid
Jeremy Chataway
Klaus Schmierer
Carolyn Young
Alasdair Coles
Eli Silber
David Miller
Abhijit Chaudhuri
David Barnes
Abdullah Shehu
Sarah Cader
Gavin Giovannoni
John Zajicek
Bristol
Brighton
London
London
Liverpool
Cambridge
London
London
Essex
London
Coventry
Hampshire
London
Plymouth
Neuromuscular
Chair
David Hilton-Jones
Richard Orrell
Aleksandar Radunovic
Michael Rose
Michael Hanna
Karen Morrison
John Winer
Andria Merrison
Fiona Norwood
Oxford
London
London
London
London
Birmingham
Birmingham
Bristol
London
Neuro-oncology
Chair
Robin Grant
Fiona McKevitt
Nick Gutowski
Oliver Hanemann
Jeremy Rees
Paul Hart
Alison Parry
Bridget MacDonald
Edinburgh
Sheffield
Exeter
Plymouth
London
Surrey
Oxford
London
Neurorehabilitation and
TBI
Chair
Diane Playford
London
Martyn Bracewell
Judith Allanson
Nick Ward
Val Stevenson
Collette Griffin
Richard Greenwood
Wales
Cambridge
London
London
London
London
Cathie Sudlow
Richard Hardie
Mark Wilmot
Pankaj Sharma
David Werring
Edinburgh
Bristol
Birmingham
London
London
Stroke
Chair
- 50 -