May 2012

The most complex and longest piece of NHS related legislation gained Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. Throughout its tortuous passage through Parliament, the College has consistently raised concerns about such a mammoth reorganisation at a time of unprecedented cost savings and that integration of services that are so important to our service users, could become more difficult to achieve. 2000 amendments were made and some battles won. In particular the College has worked with other mental health stakeholders to ensure parity between approaches for both physical and mental health. Read more...

This month's poll: we would like your views

• Is the IAPT programme is a poor use of NHS resources? (see Commissioning Effective Talking Therapies).

Results of last month's poll

• Do you agree that psychiatrists should be able to act as their patients’ GP with regard to physical problems and prescribe for common complaints?

  Yes – 27% (70 votes) vs. No – 73% (193 votes)

Appointments

Listed below are a range of existing and soon to be advertised opportunities for you to get involved in the work of the College. I would like to encourage you to consider applying to take up one of these appointments. Posts are advertised in the eNwsletter on a regular basis, and we are keen to encourage members to participate in setting the direction of the College. College work provides an invaluable opportunity for networking with colleagues from other parts of the country, keeping up to date with national policies, as well as contributing to specific national work.

1. Associate Dean Education Policy & Strategy

2.  Specialist Adviser for the Curriculum

3.  Specialist Adviser for Assessment

4. College Lead on the Mental Health of Asylum Seekers

5.  Specialist Adviser for Mental Health Strategy

6. Chair of Specialty Doctors' Committee

7.  New member for Special Committee on Professional Practice & Ethics

Soon to be advertised

• New members for the Special Committee on Human Rights
• Specialist Adviser in Commissioning

Elections

• Addictions Faculty
• Forensic Faculty
• Intellectual Disability Faculty
• Medical Psychotherapy Faculty
• Perinatal Section
• RCPsych in Wales
• South Eastern Division

The College is very aware that the NHS changes and current financial climate are leading to many and varied changes in services, and that there are many of you facing difficult and uncertain times. Service changes, tendering processes and drive for efficiencies are leading to threats of redundancies, actual redundancies, loss of posts and decrease in paid Programmed Activities. Read more...

I would like to introduce myself as the new Associate Dean for Revalidation. I am a Consultant Adult Psychiatrist and Medical Director in Cornwall. After delays and doubts, medical revalidation is now imminent and certain.

Psychiatry has an almost unique opportunity to do this well, with many psychiatrists working in specialist organisations linked to only a small number of Royal Colleges, with an existing structure and culture of reflective CPD, peer groups and multi-source feedback. There are opportunities to link the process with other themes: better outcome measurement, learning from patient feedback, clear professional standards, early identification of difficulties and a commitment to improved patient care and safety.

The task involves trying to keep the process simple, achievable and integrated.

I will be leading for the College on supporting and advising Members and Fellows, appraisers, Responsible Officers, Regional Advisers and influencing implementation through the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Laurence Mynors-Wallis is stepping down from his lead role for revalidation. The College website will be updated as more information becomes available. There is guidance added recently. We will be providing further advice and guidance for tribunal doctors, retired psychiatrists and those returning to work after a break.

I will be attending the International Congress in July where I will listen, learn and advise on queries

Wednesday, 23 May 2012, 6.30 pm, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG. Military Psychiatry: a significant contribution or a worthless distraction? Professor Edgar Jones, Professor of the History of Medicine and Psychiatry, King’s Centre for Military Health Research. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. There is a charge of £5 per person, payable on the night. To reserve your place, email Nicola Boyce by Friday 11 May 2012.  

• RCPsych response to Government Alcohol Strategy

  Commenting on the publication of the Government’s Alcohol Strategy for England and Wales, which proposes the introduction of a 40 pence per unit minimum price for alcohol, Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the RCPsych in Scotland, said: “We are delighted the government is proposing a minimum unit price for alcohol in England and Wales, along similar lines to proposals in Scotland, although feel that 50-60pence per unit should be the starting point to have the most impact.” Dr Owen-Bowden-Jones, Chair of the Faculty of Addictions said, “Minimum pricing is likely to lead to a reduction in the cost of alcohol related harm to health, social care, justice and other sectors and this will be of benefit to the whole community. But minimum pricing is not enough on its own to win our society’s battle with booze.”

• Healthcare community agree on principles for working together to improve patient health

  Healthcare leaders from across the UK have today published a new set of guidelines to promote positive collaboration between health organisations and the pharmaceutical industry and help guide their working practices and interaction. The statement of best practice was signed by 18 healthcare organisations, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Professor Sue Bailey said: "The College recognises the important and valid contribution made by pharmaceutical companies and other commercial organisations to patient care, research and education, and we hope this document will provide clear guidance for both healthcare professionals and the industry on best practice."

• CR152. The Management of Patients with Physical and Psychological Problems in Primary Care: For GPs, liaison psychiatrists and commissioners.

  Dr Peter Aitken, Director of Research & Development, Research Department, Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Read more...

• OP84: Strategic Plan 2012 -2015

  The College sets out its priorities for the next three years.

Professor Hamid Ghodse: President UN International Narcotics Control Board

Professor Hamid Ghodse and the United Nations Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon met on 8 March 2012 in New York, to discuss illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse, and associated international organised crime, and its effect on security and development. They agreed that the integrity of the conventions must be safeguarded if the international drug control system is to function effectively, and if individuals are to be protected from the suffering associated with drug abuse, and drug dependency, while ensuring the appropriate access to controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes. They also discussed about the positive outcome of the very important ministerial meeting of Paris Pact on Afghanistan. Professor Ghodse announced that he is going to launch the Centenary of the first International Drug Control Convention of 1912 (The Hague Opium Convention) on 13 March in Vienna.

• Members can read the full-text of Advances in Psychiatric Treatment journal online free-of-charge. Use the same login as you do to read the BJPsych and The Psychiatrist online. If you still want print copies, the members’ price for 2012 has been reduced to £50 per year (subscribe now).

• Members can now get CPD Online cheaper than ever: the current members’ rate is just £45+VAT. The number of hours for which you can use CPD Online to contribute to your CPD requirements has now increased from 10 to 25 hours – half your annual requirement (subscribe now).