Brexit, Death, Taxes & COVID-19
Dear Colleague
The number of emails arriving concerning COVID-19 action, reaction and response makes me yearn for the quieter times of BREXIT when at least that topic could be avoided by turning off the TV or Radio. Much as I am loathe to fill your inboxes with another ‘Response to COVID-19’ email I do have to let you know how this is affecting the ALSGBI.
All face-to-face training sessions and meetings have been cancelled or postponed until at least the end of June. We will do our best to deliver some form of training or instruction. We still plan to continue our monthly Webinars and are planning the production of a series of Podcasts. We will endeavour to direct members to other relevant online resources as they appear. There is no threat at present to our Annual Scientific Meeting in December in London.
Our LapPass® kits are available for purchase at a discounted rate for ALSGBI Trainee members here and we would encourage our trainee members to practise the LapPass® tasks when they have the opportunity.
The Spring Newsletter will be published soon. This will only be available online and will be accessible through the website. Links will be sent.
Other specialty Associations have published guidelines on cancer and urgent case management during the crisis and NHS specialty guidelines are available here .
We wish you a safe next few months. Although guidelines seem to change several times a day we can offer no advice other than follow local guidelines, look after your patients, family and yourselves (not necessarily in that order). It was said by Benjamin Franklin that there is nothing certain in life except death and taxes. With COVID-19 it might be that one of these certainties may have to take a holiday.
Don Menzies
President, ALSGBI