News

BOMSS unveils new professionals standards
April 2013

BOMSS has produced new standards aimed at helping surgeons achieve the highest possible level of conduct in bariatric practice.

The BOMSS Code of Ethics and the BOMSS Professional Standards Document set standards for bariatric specialists in this challenging area of surgery and health care.

The guidelines can be seen at: (http://www.bomss.org.uk/BOMSS_Code_of_Ethics.htm and http://www.bomss.org.uk/BOMSS_professional_standards.htm
Both sets of guidance will be reviewed in 2015.

Mr Richard Welbourn, the President of BOMSS, said: “I am delighted to announce the publication of the BOMSS Code of Ethics and the BOMSS Professional Standards Document.

“Bariatric surgery is challenging due to the large size of patients, restricted laparoscopic access and the unique physiology of the severely obese. Weight loss and metabolic surgery requires advanced skills and specific training and is already carried out to an extremely high standard in the UK. We are working to ensure the highest standards of care are carried forward.”

 

New Council member announced
April 2013

Consultant surgeon Mr Marco Adamo has been elected to the BOMSS Council and will take up office from September. BOMSS Treasurer Mr Roger Ackroyd said: "I am sure everyone will join me in congratulating Mr Marco Adamo on his successful appointment to Council and I look forward to working with him in the future."

 

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Fellowships 2013
March 2013

Ethicon, part of Johnson and Johnson Medical Limited, are pleased to confirm that it will be supporting six, twelve month Bariatric and Metabolic fellowships from October 2013. These fellowships, supported by an unconditional grant from Johnson and Johnson, are highly popular.

Applications are invited for Fellowships in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at North Tyneside, Sunderland, UCH London, Luton, Imperial and Taunton. (Fellowships RCS Eng Approved). Fellowships will run for a period of twelve months and will commence October 2013. Click on the document below to find out more information:

WORD - Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Fellowships 2013


 

BOMSS gathers in Glasgow
January 2013

World-class surgeons and allied health professionals will gather in Glasgow next week for the 4th Annual Meeting of BOMSS (January 24-25).

National and international speakers will address the conference on a range of key topics around obesity and bariatric surgery. Subjects covered will include metabolic surgery for diabetes, weight-loss surgery training in the UK, multi-disciplinary working and the European experience.

Professor Duff Bruce, BOMSS Council member, consultant surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and lead organiser for the Scientific Meeting, said: “I’m delighted to welcome so many experts to Scotland. Weight-loss surgery is the most clinically effective, safe and cost-effective treatment available for many patients with severe obesity-related diseases.

“BOMSS’ UK-wide National Registry (NBSR) outcomes have been congruent with international data, suggesting that 85% of surgically-treated type 2 diabetics had benefitted and had stopped medications by two years after their procedure."

Click here to register for the conference: http://www.bomss.org.uk/2013conference/registration.htm


New National Child Measurement Programme
December 2012

New National Child Measurement Programme data have been published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. The National Obesity Observatory (NOO) has updated two resources with this new data: 

http://www.noo.org.uk/visualisation/eatlas
·         Child obesity e-atlas 
View data on the prevalence of child obesity at local authority level in England – and compare with regional and national figures
   
http://www.noo.org.uk/slide_sets
·         Slide set on child obesity  
Powerpoint slides of key data and information on child obesity in clear, easy to understand charts and graphics. 

All publications may be accessed via the NOO website www.noo.org.uk  http://www.noo.org.uk/

 

Interview with Richard Welbourn
December 2012

Richard Welbourn, who will take over the presidency of BOMSS in January, has been featured in the new edition of Bariatric News. Mr Welbourn,  a senior bariatric surgeon at Musgrove Park Hospital and Nuffield Health Hospital in Taunton, played a key role in the effort to develop the UK’s National Bariatric Surgery Registry, and is currently working  on Version 2 of the Tegistry.

He also revealed that BOMSS is hoping to host a major international IFSO meeting in London, possibly in 2017. He added: "We’re also talking about having joint conferences with physicians. We’re aware that politically if we’re going to increase the provision of surgery we’re going to need to have joined-up conversations with all stakeholders."

The full interview can be read here: - http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=feature/11687/richard-welbourn

 

BOMSS Council member features in ITV programme ‘Weight Loss Ward.’
December 2012

The work of the weight loss unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital – and featuring BOMSS council member and consultant surgeon Peter Small – is being shown on television this month.

The ITV documentary ‘Weight Loss Ward,’ follows Mr Small and his team who undertake 600 operations a year at the unit and focuses on the human stories of some of the patients.

It also shows the specialist equipment necessary to undertake successful and safe bariatric surgery and to provide a good standard of care on the ward for patients.

Mr Small said: “The programmes focus on the patients and how they have to come to terms with all the changes needed to help ensure that surgery is successful. But the programme also reveals the team effort required to help people recover their health.

“It also shows how surgery is a cost-effective option for many, though not all, obese people and the problems facing the health service as an increasing number of people reach unhealthy weights with all the associated co-morbidities.”

Weight Loss Ward, ITV, Wednesday, December 12, 8pm and Wednesday, December 19, 8pm

 

Looking forward to AHP presence in Glasgow
November 2012

A reminder that the Early Bird Registration rate for the BOMSS 4th Annual Scientific Meeting (Glasgow, January 23-25, 2013) will close on November 30, so benefit from the Early Bird rates by clicking here. The Scientific Programme has much to offer AHPs and includes Training and Education, Metabolic Medicine, and 20/20 Vision - A Multidisciplinary Approach. Speakers include Dr Marco Bueter from Zurich and Dr Karl Miller from Salzburg. An interesting and varied Training Day Programme (January 23) for Surgical Trainees, Dietitians and Specialist Nurses, will be followed by the Annual Trainees' Lecture and Annual AHP Lecture.

The meeting will also also give AHPs an excellent opportunity for networking and there will be a social programme which includes a drinks reception at the Glasgow City Chambers and Annual Dinner at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.

Find out more about the Scientific Programme and Training Day.

We look forward to seeing you in Glasgow.

 

Register now for Glasgow
November 2012

The Early Bird Registration rate for the BOMSS 4th Annual Scientific Meeting (Glasgow, January 23-25, 2013) will close on November 30, so benefit from the Early Bird rates by clicking here.

The BOMSS 2013 Scientific Programme includes Training and Education, Metabolic Medicine, and 20/20 Vision - A Multidisciplinary Approach. Speakers include Dr Marco Bueter from Zurich and Dr Karl Miller from Salzburg. An interesting and varied Training Day Programme (January 23) for Surgical Trainees, Dietitians and Specialist Nurses, will be followed by the Annual Trainees' Lecture and Annual AHPs Lecture.

The Organising Committee has also put together an excellent social programme which includes a drinks reception at the Glasgow City Chambers and Annual Dinner at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.

Find out more about the Scientific Programme and Training Day.

The call for Abstracts is also open and you can find out more here:  The closing date for the submission of abstracts is 09.00hrs, Friday 30 November.

We look forward to seeing you in Glasgow.

 

Abstract Submission for Glasgow opens
September 2012

Abstract submission for the 4th Annual Scientific Meeting of BOMSS, to be held in Glasgow from 23-25 January,  2013,  is now open. The closing date for submissions is 09.00hrs on Friday, 30 November 2012.

Notification of chosen abstracts will be made by Friday, 7 December 2012 in order to ensure that presented work is as up-to-date and relevant as possible. We recommend people apply for study leave well before this date to ensure they are able to present their work at the meeting.
This year there will again see a BOMSS council prize presentation session in addition to free paper sessions. There will also be a poster section and posters of distinction awarded to the best presented posters. Affiliate members are encouraged to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentation, or both.

Abstract submission should be made via http://www.bomss.org.uk/2013conference/abstract_submission.htm

 

BOMSS member gives Hunterian oration
July 2012

BOMSS member Professor Alan Osborne, who works in Bristol gave a very well-received Royal College of Surgeons Hunterian Oration at the DDF in Liverpool, speaking on 'Gut Hormones in Bariatric Surgery.'

Professor Osboure described a study to find out what happens to gut hormones after laparscopic RYGB which measured gut hormone changes post-operatively and changes to appetite and satiety. The results showed a significant decrease in hunger. He also looked at insulin resistance, diabetes adding and quality of life studies. He said: “Bypass surgery provides a fascinating model for the study of metabolic surgery but we need to look beyond weight loss and study diabetic outcomes.”

Prof Osborne also said that looking at the economic impact of surgery showed how bariatric operations saved millions of pounds. He referred to a study of 78 people which showed that before operations they had collectively worked 1,023 hours per week whilst after operations this figure rose to 1,611 hours, a 57% increase. Before bariatric surgery, the patients were claiming 32 different benefits but after surgery this dropped to eight. There was a 75% reduction in disability benefit claims.

Prof Osborne moved on to talk about the incidence of obesity in society compared with the number of bariatric trainee positions around the country He estimated that 50 new consultant posts would results in a £75 million economic saving.

In conclusion, he said: “Bariaric surgery is metabolic surgery. It is cost-effective - patients return to a normal quality of life - and it saves lives.”

 

BOMSS adds its voice to NHS 'access to treatment' debate
June 2012

BOMSS President Alberic Fiennes  was a signatory to a letter which appeared in the Daily Telegraph on June 21 calling for all patients to be treated according to their need and not compromised by financial pressure (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9345146/The-need-to-broaden-access-to-surgery.html). The letter followed reports that operations were being rationed by the NHS due to financial pressures.

As well as Mr Fiennes, the letter was signed by Professor John MacFie, President, Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Professor Norman Williams, President, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, William Allum, President, Association of Upper-Gastrointestinal Surgeons and Professor Joe Dias President, British Orthopaedic Association.

The full text of the letter read as follows:

SIR – Restricted access to surgery is of great concern to surgeons who believe that patients’ treatment should be driven by need based on clinical assessment, and must not be compromised by financial pressure. Most methods to restrict access to surgery use unproven and arbitrary thresholds, which unfairly deny patients some of the most successful operations that improve quality of life.

Delaying patient access to hip and knee replacements and other orthopaedic operations can affect the outcomes of surgery, with evidence that patients are less mobile and suffer more pain if their operation is delayed or denied. Also, any hernia left untreated puts the patient at serious risk should the hernia strangulate, meaning that they would require emergency surgery to address the potentially life-threatening problem.

The compelling evidence that weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) is one of the most cost-effective treatments in acute health care cannot be ignored. Severe obesity is a new disease of epidemic proportions and bariatric surgery improves lives and reduces overall health care costs. Restricting access to surgery by raising the threshold on Body Mass Index above the recommendations of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is not in patients’ best interests.

While we recognise resource constraints faced by NHS commissioners, we must not cut front-line services. Decisions about whether to put patients forward for surgery are best left to patients with direct support from their surgeon.

The Telegraph also ran a story in its news pages about the letter: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9344902/Lives-at-risk-due-to-arbitrary-health-rationing-say-surgeons.html

and the original story can be seen here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9339561/Nine-in-10-health-authorities-rationing-operations.html


IFSO scholarships
May 2012

The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) offers three surgical scholarships each year. Each offers a stipend of $2.500,00 USD plus free registration for IFSO's annual world congress which, this year, will be held in New Delhi.

Applications must be submitted by June 10, 2012, to secretariat@ifso.com and must follow the guidelines which can be viewed here: http://www.ifso.com/pdfs/ifso-scholarships-guidelines-2012.pdf


New faces on the BOMSS Council
April 2012

The term of office of some BOMSS Council members is shortly due to expire.  At the recent AGM, it was also decided to expand the Council by two full (Consultant) members and one AHP member.  In light of this, elections have been held for these posts.

The people due to demit office are Mr Richard Welbourn, Mr Michael Rhodes, Mr Peter Sedman (full members) and Ms Andi Fox-Hiley (AHP member).  They are due thanks them for their service and for all their hard work on behalf of the BOMSS Council over the past few years.  

Those elected to Council are Mr Richard Welbourn (re-elected), Mr Shaw Somers, Mr Sean Woodcock, Mr Vinod Menon, Mr Peter Small (full members) and the new AHP Representatives are Ms Gail Pinnock and Mr Ken Clare.  They will take up office following the Council meeting at the forthcoming DDF meeting in Liverpool in June.  

 

NBSR update
February 2012

The NBSR report published in April 2011 demonstrated safety of surgery in  more than 8,000 patients in the UK with low complication rates.  The one- and two-year follow up data showed impressive improvement in obesity-related disease.  At the NBSR Workshop session at the BOMSS 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting in Bristol, Mr Richard Welbourn highlighted the results and presented to the membership work in progress for discussion as the Registry evolves.  Members who wish to be involved should send expressions of interest to Mr Alberic Fiennes, Chair of the NBSR Committee via Nichola Coates at the BOMSS office, email: nichola@augis.org


BOMSS supports Obesity Symposium
January 2012

London 2012: the Future of Obesity Treatment aims to review the current status of obesity treatment and to discuss how best to address the challenges in the future. Some of the world's leading authorities will address this challenging topic and the meeting will also be as interactive as possible with expert panel discussions and a final debate on the different treatment options.

The meeting is open to general practitioners, surgeons, physicians, diabetologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, endoscopists, commissioners and managers, all of whom face their own specific challenges in this evolving field. Trainees and allied health care professionals involved in the specialist management of patients suffering from obesity will also benefit from attending.

The International Symposium will take place on February 3, 2012 at the Royal College of Physicians in London. See the website for further information and registration - http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/obesitysymposium
Gianluca Bonanomi MD FRCS, Carel le Roux PhD MRCP, Bobby Prasad FRCPI


BOMSS members - we need your help!
November 2011

Following on from Mr Conor Magee’s presentation to Nurses / AHPs at the AUGIS conference in Belfast your help is needed to gain more information on the incidence and management of late hypoglycaemia following gastric bypass surgery.

Please visit the website below to complete the questionnaire:

www.wlsinfo.org.uk/index/rheostat


Overseas posting
October 2011

A Fellowship opportunity has arisen in Auckland from Jan 2012 - Jan 2013 due to the trainee in post taking a consultant job. If you are considering a period of fellowship overseas and are interested in Bariatric surgery please contact Mr Michael Booth directly at Michael.Booth@waitematadhb.govt.nz. The feedback from the trainee in post last year was excellent.

The successful applicant will need to be post-FRCS or equivalent and be interested in learning advanced laparoscopic skills including intracorporeal suturing and stapling.

 

Abstract submission for Bristol is open
October 2011

Abstract submission for the BOMSS Annual Scientific Meeting to be held in Bristol on 19 and 20 January, 2012 is now open. The closing date for submission of abstracts is 09.00hrs on Monday, 5 December 2011.

Notification of chosen abstracts will be by 16 December 2011 in order to ensure that presented work is as up-to-date and relevant as possible. We recommend you apply for study leave well before this date to ensure that you are able to present your work at the meeting five weeks later.

There will be a BOMSS council prize presentation session in addition to free paper sessions, poster and poster of distinction presentations. Once again, we would like to encourage Affiliate members to submit abstracts for presentation.

We are also delighted to announce that to date Professor Klim McPherson, author of the Foresight Report, Professor Philip James, President of IASO, and Professor Antonio Torres, President of IFSO Europe will be speaking at the meeting.

The Organising Committee has put together an excellent social programme which includes the Annual Dinner at The Royal Marriott, Bristol. We hope we shall see as many of you as possible in Bristol.

 

Review of higher surgical trainees
September 2011

AUGIS and BOMSS - with endorsement from the surgical Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC), the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng) is undertaking a review of higher surgical trainees who have declared a sub-speciality interest in upper gastrointestinal surgery through the surgical curriculum and placement evaluation.

The aim of this review is to obtain a clear picture of the number of trainees in the UK and Ireland with a sub-speciality interest in upper gastrointestinal surgery.

This data will be used to inform the ongoing workforce planning debate and will be presented at Belfast in September. All data will be confidential and individual responses will be anonymous.

Please click on the following link for the survey: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEJoUHRiM2E3ZnhtRXBZa3dnUGFNcVE6MQ

Please do not reply more than once as the survey will be circulated via your Deanery and JCST for complete data.

New council members
September 2011

Congratulations to Mary O’Kane and Alan Osborne who have been elected to the BOMSS Council.

Mary has been elected to serve on the Council as affiliate representative. Mary is a dietician, working in Leeds and is actively involved in providing a dietetic service to patients who attend surgical and medical obesity clinics.

Alan Osborne, who is based in Bristol, has been elected to the committee as Trainee representative.

 

The Zurich ulcer survey
July 2011

The Professor Clavien is studying recurring anastomotic ulcers which constitute a serious challenge for bariatric surgeons. He and his team are currently running an internet-based survey on the management of anastomotic ulcers after Roux-Y-Gastric-Bypass. The survey will be used to learn more about how expert bariatric surgeons deal with intractable marginal ulcers.

BOMSS members are encouraged to take three minutes to complete the survey which can be found here: www.ulcer.ch.vu.

 

IDF announces new surgery guidelines
July 2011

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) released a Position Statement calling for bariatric surgery to be considered earlier in the treatment of eligible patients, to help stem the serious complications that can result from diabetes. The full report can be read below:

PDF - IDF Diabetes statement

 

Clinical Excellence Awards 2012 - England and Wales
June 2011

As you may know the Clinical Excellence Awards scheme is currently under review by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB). Please note:

  • This award is for Consultant Members of BOMSS.
  • Deadline for BOMSS submission: Midnight on Wednesday 13 July 2011.

The Department of Health has recently submitted a further paper to the DDRB asking them to consider whether the 2012 Round should include applications for new awards. The alternative is that the 2012 Round is run for renewal applications only. The DDRB have been asked to make a recommendation on this when they report. For more information, please download the following documents:

 

NBSR Report is launched
May 2011

NBSRWe are delighted to announce that the National Bariatric Surgery Register report has been published - the first comprehensive, prospective, nationwide analysis of outcomes from bariatric surgery in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

It contains pooled national outcome data for bariatric and metabolic surgery in the United Kingdom. Eighty four surgeons and their teams working at 86 hospitals contributed data on patients treated up to March 2010.

The document is available as a free pdf download to AUGIS and BOMSS members via: www.e-dendrite.com/nbsr
BOMSS and AUGIS members have already received via email a promotional code and exact details of entitlement which will enable a download from Dendrite from its website for no charge. (Please note that copyright restrictions still apply to the pdf).

Surgeons who have contributed to the database will receive a free hardback copy of the report by post. If required, additional copies may be purchased online from Dendrite's e-bookshop: www.e-dendrite.com/publishing/reports

PDF - Click here to view an extract of the report

Members of the NBSR Data Committee are Alberic Fiennes, Marcus Reddy, Simon Dexter, Bruce Tulloh, Michael Rhodes and Peter Sedman.


 

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