Who are we? The New Consultants’ Group was set up in September 2002 and ran the first residential weekend in March 2003. Membership is open to all ACP members who are either within 6 months of their CCST or Consultants in Medical Oncology appointed in the previous 5 years. The primary aim of the group is to help the sometimes difficult transition from Senior specialist Registrar to New consultant by sharing experiences, unloading often common anxieties, and in doing so gaining necessary peer-group support for the clinical practice of Medical Oncology and related research. It tries to achieve this by inviting experienced speakers to address specific topics and issues and so provide a forum for learning through discussion. The chairman of the NCG is a member of the ACP executive and the secretary of the group attends the SAC committee.

Summary from meeting of ACP NCG 8-10^th April 2005

Committee members: Chair Pauline Leonard, Secretary Paul Ross, Ruth Plummer, Vanessa Potts & Lesley Dawson

The morning session covered Health Technology Appraisals: Delays, lack of funding, implications for practice.  It was chaired by Dr Paul Ross and very impressive talks were given by the following speakers: What is the process for NICE appraisal? Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Managing the introduction of cancer medicines; control or responsibility? Dr Anna Gregor, Clinical Director of SCAN. Lead Clinician for Cancer in Scotland, What is the role of the London New Cancer Drugs Group and how can it influence prescribing practice? Heather Gray, Chief Pharmacist, South East Hertfordshire PCT and what can clinicians do when the evidence is there but the HTA for the treatment is not for another 6-12months Prof Roger James, Director for Cancer Services, Kent.  This was followed by a healthy panel discussion which unfortunately over ran into the coffee break. 

After coffee we tackled the issue of chemotherapy services.  Alice McLeod described the practical realities of setting up of a nurse led clinic in Glasgow, predominantly for the delivery of oral capecitabine in colorectal cancer.  Mr Tim Root Chair of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) explored some of the on-going problem swith chemotherapy delivery in the UK and the impact of HRG’s and payment by results might have in the future. 

The most popular session of the weekend appeared to be the debate ably chaired by Professor Bob Souhami entitled “This house believes that a research degree is essential in becoming a Consultant medical oncologist”.  Dr Peter Clark, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology put the case for ward for the motion and Dr Graham Dark, Consultant Medical Oncologist, NCCT apposed the motion.  The motion was carried despite some interesting thoughts on how else the desired characteristics of intellectual discipline and rigor could be obtained by other training methods.

The three workshops were well received and covered, How to get ready for peer review? Mr John Bolton, Clinical Lead, London Zone, How to get the best from your contract/how to make your contract work for you, Professor Robert Leonard, Singleton Hospital, Swansea and How does the new curriculum affect me?  Dr Graham Dark, Consultant Medical Oncologist Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, Newcastle upon Tyne

David Miles, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Mount Vernon Hospital was a superb after dinner speaker entertaining the floor for a good hour. 

A healthy number of delegates stayed for the Sunday morning and were extremely impressed by the calibre of talks given first by Mr Ian Simmons Consultant Ophthalmologist from Leeds leading a very good session on medical negligence.  This was then nicely contrasted with the survey completed by doctorsnet.uk last summer 2004 which highlighted the problem of mistakes made by doctors but without an available or trust worthy system in place for the reporting of these doctors cannot learn from mistakes.  This session inspired at least two of the attendees to approach Neil Bacon COE about running a pilot study for the reporting of mistakes by oncologists in collaboration with doctorsnet.uk. 

The AGM raised several exciting ideas for next years meeting which is planned for either the weekend of 3/4/5^th March, 10/11/12^th March or 17/18/19^th March at the same venue.

Dr Paul Ross has stepped down from the committee after three years hard work as he is about to take up post of Treasurer of the ACP. Dr Pauline Leonard will step down as chair from October 2005 but stay on another year in a non-executive role. Dr’s Ruth Plummer, Vanessa Potter and Lesley Dawson will remain.  The posts of chair and secretary will be decided later in the summer.  Dr Rhona Molife has been proposed as a new member of the committee.  A letter has been circulated to all eligible members in case there is interest from any members who were unable to attend the meeting.  If no other proposals are received then Rhona will join the committee.  If other proposals are received there will be a ballot of members by e-mail.

Dr Pauline Leonard, Chair ACP NCG