The PCSG is proud to announce the launch of the new PCSG Gold Awards!

The PCSG has worked tirelessly over the past 3 decades to promote the innovation and dedication of those working in primary care gastroenterology to improve the lives of patients with gastroenterological problems. So it's time to recognise the achievements of those doctors and nurses who have made significant changes in primary care gastroenterology.

There are three award categories;

• Lifetime Achievement in Primary Care Gastroenterology
• Most Significant Contribution to Primary Care Gastroenterology
• Community Gastroenterology Nurse of the Year

The PCSG committee, led by Professor Roger Jones, Emeritus Professor of General Practice and Editor of the British Journal of General Practice , will judge the awards. the presentation will take place at the King's Fund following the ASM in October.

All three winners will receive;

• An engraved bowl
• Complimentary 2014 BSG meeting registration (courtesy of the BSG Primary Care Section)
• Travel and accommodation to the above meeting
• Our admiration!

Entering is easy! Fill in the form that's on the tab above and just let us know why you think you (or someone else)should get the award and some details about yourself.

The PCSG Awards have been kindly sponsored by the following companies;

Happy New Year to you all!

As our first entry for 2013, I woud like to draw your attention to an important set of free to attend meetings taking place in March. Bowel Cancer UK have organised two meetings, one in Manchester and one in Birmingham, which will update GPs on the diagnosis and management of bowel diseases. As someone who does referral peer reviews can testify to, there are still gaps in the knowledge regarding screening, mangement and referral guidelines for high risk individuals. Along with updates on how to treat common lower GI prooblems seen in primary care, this update will also help you diferentiate between minor and more serious bowel problems.

The places are limited so I would encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

Venues

Manchester 7th of March 0930-1645 hours

Birmingham 19th of March 0930-1645 hours

The link for further details is below;

Bowel Cancer UK Study Day

Coeliac UK is holding a research conference Understanding coeliac disease: factors affecting diagnosis, follow-up and management on 12 March 2013. They have developed an exciting programme with an impressive line-up of speakers to provide an insightful update on coeliac disease research and clinical developments. Topics to be covered include new research about social factors affecting diagnosis, guidance on follow-up and management, the role of oats and factors affecting adherence to the gluten-free diet. They are aiming to attract a range of health professionals and researchers interested in coeliac disease to the event. 

Please see the full details of the programme attached. The event is taking place from 10.00am until 3.30pm at the Royal College of Pathologists, 2 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AF, which is in central London.

If you would like to attend, please  contact researchconference@coeliac.org.uk for an application form.

December is a time when one goes through a list of questions. What I shall I get Uncle Alfred for Christmas? Should I give him the socks he gave me last year? Where shall we hide when the cousins turn up, unannounced, on Boxing Day? Where the hell is the latest JPCSG?

I can only help with the latter (although I find saying I have Lassa fever helps with the others). The latest issue for Autumn ( I do work, you know) is now available in the downloads section, cunningly placed in the section on the JPCSG.

I hope you like it and find it useful and if you have any comments on the issues raised, why not use our forum to debate them with other members?

I am also delighted to announce that plans are being finalised for a brand new website which will be outstanding!

On a personal note, I have now stood down from the roles of Secretary, web editor and editor of the JPCSG (well, after the next issue). My thanks to you all for your support over the years and I am sure my successors will do an even better job!

Any contributions for the Autumn edition will be gratefully received.

The Society is delighted to announce our AGM/ASM is to be held on the 19th of October at the Kings Fund, London.

We have a varied programme with talks on paediatric gastroenterology, end of life care of liver disease and the emotional and psychological aspects of gastroenterological disease. Our keynote speaker will be Sir Ian Gilmore speaking on how primary care should get more involved in Liver disease.

Location - Edwards Room, Kings Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN
Date - 19th October 2012
Time - ASM starts at 9am and finishes no later than 5pm.

If you would like to book a place, please email Roxanne Billett directly asap.

This is a meeting that you cannot afford to miss!

After you have logged on, the programme is downloadable from downloads

This meeting, which I have been to in the past, is an excellent one day course which brings both specialist and non specialists interested in gastroenterology up to date.

Details of the event ( 2/11/12) can be found on

RCPE Edinburgh