In Jan 2001 the Government established a Review Group to make recommendations for the safe organisation of paediatric and congenital cardiac services.
In Sept 2001 the Children's Heart Federation (a parent led Charity established in 1988 to support parents and children with Congenital Heart Disease) held a conference at Regents Park as there was a concern regarding outreach services for their children.
In 2002 the Fifth Report on Provision of Cardiac Services was published and noted: increasing workload despite static birth rate, a shortfall in consultant paediatric cardiologists, an increase in subspecialisation and a large expansion in outreach clinics.
In Dec 2003 the Report of the Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services Review Group was published. One recommendation was: Joined Up Care 42. "The concept of the managed clinical network is not a new one; and it seems ideal for the future running of this service. The interventions in the Joined Up Care section therefore aim at establishing these networks, with the tertiary centres taking the lead role, collaborating with other centres to establish the most logical and convenient network of outreach clinics, and helping with training and support to local clinicians, so that they can play their full part in the care of their patients." This created the need for Paediatricians with an expertise in Paediatric Cardiology (PEC) and as such a 1 year training competency-based curriculum was developed in conjunction with the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. There are now a number of 1 year training posts nationally at the Regional Paediatric Cardiology Centres and hence a number of PEC around the country and the number of such consultants continues to grow. At the RCPCH Spring meeting 2007 a number of established PEC gave presentations on their role and work. There was an interested audience and it was agreed that a Special Interest Group to support, training, networking, development of local services within a managed clinical network would be beneficial. It was felt such a group would improve standards of care for cardiac children and their families. The executive team developed the constitution and in July 2008 there was agreed formal affiliation with the RCPCH.
The Executive Committee shall have at least five members, including a Convenor (Chair), Secretary, Educational Convener, Treasurer and BCCA Representative. The Convenor (Chair) will be elected by the Special Interest Group members. Other members shall be co-opted as necessary for specific roles by the committee. Co-opted members may be appointed ad hoc by the Convenor, but the appointment will be ratified by the committee at the next committee meeting. The BCCA representative will be nominated by the BCCA. The committee members will be appointed by election at the annual general meeting (AGM) which shall be held each year (usually at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Spring Meeting). Only subscribing members of the Special Interest Group are eligible to vote or serve on the committee. The term of election of both officers and committee members will be three years. Both the officers and committee members may be re-elected but the maximum term of membership (without a break) shall usually be six years.
The Special Interest Group is an autonomous body closely associated with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, which shall receive copies of the constitution and minutes of meetings.
The group will organise an annual general meeting which may be held as part of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Spring Meeting. A scientific meeting will usually be held in the autumn, at a venue to be agreed by the Committee in advance. A committee meeting will usually be held during this meeting. Two further committee meetings of the group will normally be held each year. Other committee meetings will be held as necessary.
An Honorary Treasurer shall manage the financial affairs of the Special Interest Group. There shall be annual subscriptions from all the members. Any change in subscription charges must be approved at an Annual General Meeting preceding the proposed change. The annual subscription together with all surplus funds accrued from each annual symposium shall form the basic source of income for the Association. The Honorary Treasurer has the authority to disburse funds for the benefit of the Association as appropriate and shall submit a statement of accounts to each Annual General Meeting. Membership is open to any paediatrician, whether in training or an established practitioner, either in UK or abroad, who is involved in the care of children with cardiological conditions. An annual fee of £25 will be payable to obtain and maintain membership.
Proposed changes in the Constitution shall be submitted to the Secretary for consideration by the Executive Committee. Any changes to the Constitution shall require a majority vote at the AGM. If you would like to read the full constitution that gives the society it's governance and accountability please download it below. It really isn't terribly interesting but at least this constitution has no second ammendments! This constitution was approved and is governed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Constitution Document