I am writing in order to provide you with an update on Section activities and initiatives. This newsletter also provides me with a chance to reflect on the health of the Section as my term of office as Chairman draws to a close.
The last two years have been a period of relative stability within BAUS and this has provided the Sections with the opportunity to develop, knowing that they have a defined remit to develop their subspecialty within their terms of reference. I am reassured to hear that Adrian Joyce is keen to see the Sections continue in their current format during his BAUS Presidency.
The challenge to our Section has been to develop a clear understanding about what we do and why there is a need for Urologists who have special skills and knowledge in our field. The change of Section name has been helpful in providing a more accurate description of the subspecialty – even if a catchier name would have been nice! I believe that we have made real progress in cementing the idea that each urology unit should include at least one consultant with an interest in FNUU. In addition there will be a number of consultants with more highly specialised practices who will have tertiary referral practices in complex female urology or neurourology. We are continuing to look at ways of encouraging trainees to subspecialise in FNUU so that the expected expansion of FNUU consultant posts will be filled by high-quality, well-trained urologists.
Meetings
The last Section annual meeting was very successful and well attended. We are already planning next year’s meeting which will again be on the Monday of BAUS week.
Dates for your diary for the next six months will include:
18 March – Joint meeting of the Section and the Royal Society of Medicine Urology Division.
6 – 8 April - UK Continence Society, Bristol.
26 – 27 May – Leicester reconstructive and female urology meeting.
20 June – SFNUU Annual meeting, Liverpool.
21 – 23 June – BAUS Annual meeting, Liverpool.
Annual Meeting Video posters
An innovative session consisting of 3 minute videoposters is to be run at the BAUS Annual Meeting this year. See brief and technical specification. The aim of the session is to provide the audience with nine videoposters, all of which will demonstrate a point of surgical technique. I suspect that clever tips relating to reasonably commonly performed procedures will get selected.
It would be good to have the Section strongly represented with videos on subjects such as stress incontinence surgery, urethral surgery, urodynamics, suprapubic catheterisation etc...If you have a good idea please email the topic and presenter to me by Monday 17th January at the very latest.
Website
The BAUS website is now up and running and the Section has its own area. We are very keen to pull together a group of enthusiasts who will edit the content of the Section’s site. This is an opportunity for consultants and trainees to get involved in a project that will be rewarding and provide a good way of getting in some CPD! Please contact me for more details if you are interested (simon.harrison@midyorks.nhs.uk).
Audit
The BAUS audit system is well-established and our audits on the complications of suprapubic catheterisation and on the efficacy of botulinum toxin injections are easy to contribute to and should provide important data. Make it a New Year’s resolution to input your data!
Guidelines
The BAUS suprapubic catheter guidelines are to be published in the January edition of the BJUI. If you are interested in developing a guideline or have a suggestion for a topic, please do get in touch.
Research
Clinical research has gone through a process of professionalisation in recent years. This has made it difficult for many clinicians to participate in meaningful research outside of oncology trials. The Section is looking to develop trials protocols that will need to recruit large patient numbers in order to answer some fundamental clinical questions; we hope that this will offer a route into clinical research for FNUU urologists.
Finally
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Executive Committee who have provided great commitment, enthusiasm and hard work during my term as Chairman. A huge thank you is also due to the BAUS Office team who have been hugely supportive and have demonstrated efficiency and good humour in equal measure.
As you will know, Chris Chapple is taking on Section Chairmanship and it remains for me to wish him well in the role. I have no doubt that our subspecialty will prosper under his guidance.
With best wishes,
Simon
