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Notes from the society
Public Health (1993), 107, 69-72
© The Society of Public Health, 1993
Notes from the Society Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Society of Public Health held on Friday, 17th July 1992, at 28 Portland Place, London W1N 4DE
Present: D r B. H. Burne (President) + 26 Members of the Society
1. Apologies Apologies were received from 17 members and taken as read.
2. Minutes of previous meeting--26 July 1991 The minutes of the previous meeting, having been circulated, were accepted as a true record.
3. Matters arising There were no matters arising.
4. Report from Council The President reported on a most interesting and stimulating year. The office of President of Council offers access not only to members of the Society but also to Presidents of the Royal Colleges and Chairmen of negotiating bodies. H e summarised the matters discussed in that day's Council meeting by reporting: (a) That the contract with Macmillans the publishers is to continue for the next two years. (b) That, wherever possible, members should encourage their post-graduate medical libraries to subscribe to Public Health as this is an important source of income for the Society. Members' copies are now marked 'Members copy. Not for library use'. (c) The Craft Conferencce is forging ahead but attention was drawn to the concern expressed about SCMOs being treated unfairly when they apply for Consultant status. Dr L. Light was elected Vice-Chairman of the Conference for 1993. H e then urged members to pass on any evidence to D r Light which may help to resolve this unsatisfactory situation. (d) It was agreed that Dr S. Hodgson would be the representative of the Society on the Medical Commission for Accident Prevention and on R O S P A , and Mrs J. Hall the representative to R A D A R .
5. Treasurer's Report The Hon. Treasurer began his report by saying that it had been a privilege to act as Treasurer of the Society for the past year. H e had found the work very interesting and also eye-opening. He thanked all members of the Council for all their help and cooperation over the past year. H e reported briefly that the Society had seen a loss in revenue during the financial year 1990/91 of £4,823 compared with a profit the previous year of £17,725, but in financial terms the Society was solvent. H e drew attention to overheads which have increased by 50%, which reflects greater activity. The Faculty accounts, although making a profit in 1990, showed a loss in 1991 and this taken overall would have been a major contribution to the Society's losses. The
70
Notes from the Society
Treasurer r e c o m m e n d e d that subscriptions remain as at present with the exception that retired members of the Faculty should pay a lower subscription. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the subscription for retired members of the faculty should be £10 a year with effect from 1 October 1992 and for Overseas Associates £22. The audited accounts for the year ending 30 September 1991 were formally approved and it was agreed that Pickles Waltham & C o m p a n y should be retained as the Society's auditors. A formal vote of thanks was recorded to the Treasurer for the extremely competent job he had done on the accounts during his first year of office.
6. Editor's Report In the absence of the Editor, the Hon. Secretary reported that Public Health continues to be successful. Excluding the July issue which is in press, there are two issues in hand with 18 papers in the final stages of preparation. A further 7 papers are being processed. During the time period 1 June 1991 to 1 June 1992 a total of 94 papers were received. Out of this total 33 papers were accepted and 35 rejected. Although it would seem that it is a simple matter to give a precise rejection rate, this is not so, as many papers are returned to authors for reworking or rewriting so that the time taken to prepare papers for publication can vary widely, and there is an inevitable overlap of papers from one year to the next. As a result the remainder (29) papers are either under consideration or have gone back to the authors for resubmission. It can, however, be seen that the approximate rejection rate is 50%. During the previous 12 months six issues, 105 4 - 6 and 106 1-3 were published. They contained 44 papers. The origins by specialty and geography of these papers are as follows:
Specialty of first author University departments Public Health Consultants Community Health doctors Registrar/Senior Registrar in Public Health Medicine Other medical specialties Non-medical authors
6 6 7 10 13 2
Total
44
Geographical area from which paper originated (by first author) British Isles The rest of E u r o p e Other
28 6 10
Total
44
Still needed were articles for the H a n d b o o k and short articles for the newsletters.
7. Faculty Report The Chairman of the Faculty Board reported that on 1 and 2 July the Faculty held its fourth Annual Conference which was a huge success due largely to the calibre of the speakers, but also due to the excellent organisation by D r Ruth Hall. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol attended the Conference dinner on the first evening and gave a
Notes from the Society
71
witty end of dinner speech which was well received and typified the relaxed, friendly atmosphere pervading the Conference. A preliminary meeting between the Secretary of BACCH and the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Registrar of the Faculty was held on 1 July. Dr Lenton, the Secretary of BACCH, is to be invited to the next Faculty Board meeting. She then reported on the results of the survey of accreditation by the Joint Commission on Higher Medical Education and the survey of Study Leave. Discussion followed on accreditation and it was felt that it is very important that doctors in senior positions in Community Health are accredited, although this does not guarantee promotion or a job. Concern was expressed at the failure of government to recognise that there is a great deal of unfairness in the way in which the rules are being applied resulting in a loss to the Service of expertise in Community Health. Members were urged to submit evidence about unfair treatment of Community Health doctors to the BMA so that a case can be put to the Chief Medical Officer.
8. Election of Directors, Officers and Council Members Officers: President and Director President Elect (Vice-President and Director) Past President (Vice-President and Director) Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Editor Editorial Board
Auditor
Dr J. M. Dunlop Dr I. Clarke Dr B. H. Burne Dr P. A. Gardner Mr S. J. J. S. Fallon Dr M. W. Beaver Dr F. N. Garrett Dr P. Gillies Dr A. M. B. Golding Dr N. D. L. Olsen Dr J. S. Robertson Dr H. Schnieden Dr J. M. Dunlop Mr A. Ingleton Pickles, Waltham & Co
Members: Drs L. F. C. Beattie, C. T. Cosgrove, J. S. Dodge, A. Elliott, M. I. Grant, P. Hogarth, R. Jayaratnam, V. E. Mackay, W. T. Orton, A. Owen-Smith, A. M. Pickrell, B. A. Qureshi, J. S. Robertson, M. C. Robertson, F. Sim, J. F. Skone, T. Sykes, J. D. Williamson, E. T. Wilson, Mrs J. Hall and Mrs A. Eckford. The Directors, Officers and Members of Council were formally approved.
9. Any other business (a) Health of the Nation After discussion it was agreed that the Society should issue a press release following the issue of 'Health of the Nation' in the following terms: 'This Society through its AGM welcomes the introduction of this White Paper which recognises that the NHS is about health and not about illness'. (b) Fellowship of the BMA The AGM was informed that Dr Gardner, Hon. Secretary of the Society, has been honoured by being made a Fellow of the BMA.
72
Notes from the Society
(c) Honorary Life Member It was agreed that Sir John Reid be invited to become an H o n o r a r y Life M e m b e r of the Society. 10. Installation of new President and vote of thanks The retiring President, D r B. H. Burne, invited Dr Dunlop to take the chair for the remainder of the business. D r Dunlop thanked Dr Burne, on behalf of the Society, on the able way in which he had chaired its meetings during the past year. Dr Burne is retiring this month after 42 years in the NHS and hopes to carry on with his Ruth Griffiths work. D r Dunlop is also Treasurer and a m e m b e r of the B o a r d of the Faculty of Public Health. He saw the way forward as a coming together of the two Faculties and would do his utmost to spend his year as President trying to achieve just that.
© The Society of Public Health, 1993
Notes from the Society Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Society of Public Health held on Friday, 17th July 1992, at 28 Portland Place, London W1N 4DE
Present: D r B. H. Burne (President) + 26 Members of the Society
1. Apologies Apologies were received from 17 members and taken as read.
2. Minutes of previous meeting--26 July 1991 The minutes of the previous meeting, having been circulated, were accepted as a true record.
3. Matters arising There were no matters arising.
4. Report from Council The President reported on a most interesting and stimulating year. The office of President of Council offers access not only to members of the Society but also to Presidents of the Royal Colleges and Chairmen of negotiating bodies. H e summarised the matters discussed in that day's Council meeting by reporting: (a) That the contract with Macmillans the publishers is to continue for the next two years. (b) That, wherever possible, members should encourage their post-graduate medical libraries to subscribe to Public Health as this is an important source of income for the Society. Members' copies are now marked 'Members copy. Not for library use'. (c) The Craft Conferencce is forging ahead but attention was drawn to the concern expressed about SCMOs being treated unfairly when they apply for Consultant status. Dr L. Light was elected Vice-Chairman of the Conference for 1993. H e then urged members to pass on any evidence to D r Light which may help to resolve this unsatisfactory situation. (d) It was agreed that Dr S. Hodgson would be the representative of the Society on the Medical Commission for Accident Prevention and on R O S P A , and Mrs J. Hall the representative to R A D A R .
5. Treasurer's Report The Hon. Treasurer began his report by saying that it had been a privilege to act as Treasurer of the Society for the past year. H e had found the work very interesting and also eye-opening. He thanked all members of the Council for all their help and cooperation over the past year. H e reported briefly that the Society had seen a loss in revenue during the financial year 1990/91 of £4,823 compared with a profit the previous year of £17,725, but in financial terms the Society was solvent. H e drew attention to overheads which have increased by 50%, which reflects greater activity. The Faculty accounts, although making a profit in 1990, showed a loss in 1991 and this taken overall would have been a major contribution to the Society's losses. The
70
Notes from the Society
Treasurer r e c o m m e n d e d that subscriptions remain as at present with the exception that retired members of the Faculty should pay a lower subscription. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the subscription for retired members of the faculty should be £10 a year with effect from 1 October 1992 and for Overseas Associates £22. The audited accounts for the year ending 30 September 1991 were formally approved and it was agreed that Pickles Waltham & C o m p a n y should be retained as the Society's auditors. A formal vote of thanks was recorded to the Treasurer for the extremely competent job he had done on the accounts during his first year of office.
6. Editor's Report In the absence of the Editor, the Hon. Secretary reported that Public Health continues to be successful. Excluding the July issue which is in press, there are two issues in hand with 18 papers in the final stages of preparation. A further 7 papers are being processed. During the time period 1 June 1991 to 1 June 1992 a total of 94 papers were received. Out of this total 33 papers were accepted and 35 rejected. Although it would seem that it is a simple matter to give a precise rejection rate, this is not so, as many papers are returned to authors for reworking or rewriting so that the time taken to prepare papers for publication can vary widely, and there is an inevitable overlap of papers from one year to the next. As a result the remainder (29) papers are either under consideration or have gone back to the authors for resubmission. It can, however, be seen that the approximate rejection rate is 50%. During the previous 12 months six issues, 105 4 - 6 and 106 1-3 were published. They contained 44 papers. The origins by specialty and geography of these papers are as follows:
Specialty of first author University departments Public Health Consultants Community Health doctors Registrar/Senior Registrar in Public Health Medicine Other medical specialties Non-medical authors
6 6 7 10 13 2
Total
44
Geographical area from which paper originated (by first author) British Isles The rest of E u r o p e Other
28 6 10
Total
44
Still needed were articles for the H a n d b o o k and short articles for the newsletters.
7. Faculty Report The Chairman of the Faculty Board reported that on 1 and 2 July the Faculty held its fourth Annual Conference which was a huge success due largely to the calibre of the speakers, but also due to the excellent organisation by D r Ruth Hall. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol attended the Conference dinner on the first evening and gave a
Notes from the Society
71
witty end of dinner speech which was well received and typified the relaxed, friendly atmosphere pervading the Conference. A preliminary meeting between the Secretary of BACCH and the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Registrar of the Faculty was held on 1 July. Dr Lenton, the Secretary of BACCH, is to be invited to the next Faculty Board meeting. She then reported on the results of the survey of accreditation by the Joint Commission on Higher Medical Education and the survey of Study Leave. Discussion followed on accreditation and it was felt that it is very important that doctors in senior positions in Community Health are accredited, although this does not guarantee promotion or a job. Concern was expressed at the failure of government to recognise that there is a great deal of unfairness in the way in which the rules are being applied resulting in a loss to the Service of expertise in Community Health. Members were urged to submit evidence about unfair treatment of Community Health doctors to the BMA so that a case can be put to the Chief Medical Officer.
8. Election of Directors, Officers and Council Members Officers: President and Director President Elect (Vice-President and Director) Past President (Vice-President and Director) Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Editor Editorial Board
Auditor
Dr J. M. Dunlop Dr I. Clarke Dr B. H. Burne Dr P. A. Gardner Mr S. J. J. S. Fallon Dr M. W. Beaver Dr F. N. Garrett Dr P. Gillies Dr A. M. B. Golding Dr N. D. L. Olsen Dr J. S. Robertson Dr H. Schnieden Dr J. M. Dunlop Mr A. Ingleton Pickles, Waltham & Co
Members: Drs L. F. C. Beattie, C. T. Cosgrove, J. S. Dodge, A. Elliott, M. I. Grant, P. Hogarth, R. Jayaratnam, V. E. Mackay, W. T. Orton, A. Owen-Smith, A. M. Pickrell, B. A. Qureshi, J. S. Robertson, M. C. Robertson, F. Sim, J. F. Skone, T. Sykes, J. D. Williamson, E. T. Wilson, Mrs J. Hall and Mrs A. Eckford. The Directors, Officers and Members of Council were formally approved.
9. Any other business (a) Health of the Nation After discussion it was agreed that the Society should issue a press release following the issue of 'Health of the Nation' in the following terms: 'This Society through its AGM welcomes the introduction of this White Paper which recognises that the NHS is about health and not about illness'. (b) Fellowship of the BMA The AGM was informed that Dr Gardner, Hon. Secretary of the Society, has been honoured by being made a Fellow of the BMA.
72
Notes from the Society
(c) Honorary Life Member It was agreed that Sir John Reid be invited to become an H o n o r a r y Life M e m b e r of the Society. 10. Installation of new President and vote of thanks The retiring President, D r B. H. Burne, invited Dr Dunlop to take the chair for the remainder of the business. D r Dunlop thanked Dr Burne, on behalf of the Society, on the able way in which he had chaired its meetings during the past year. Dr Burne is retiring this month after 42 years in the NHS and hopes to carry on with his Ruth Griffiths work. D r Dunlop is also Treasurer and a m e m b e r of the B o a r d of the Faculty of Public Health. He saw the way forward as a coming together of the two Faculties and would do his utmost to spend his year as President trying to achieve just that.