The plans for the conference are blossoming!
I'm really excited about the interactive "World Cafe" workshop which will be looking at multiple themes relating to the primary care sustainability agendas. Your Cafe proprietor for the event will be Trevor Thompson. I think it's likely to be heavily oversubscribed so I would make sure that you sign up to the limited places as soon as the bookings for the sessions are opened up.
I've had quite a few e-mails from individuals and practices about local and practice sustainability initiatives. I'd really like to see as many practices as possible post their ideas and experiences on this site so that we can pull them all together in time for the conference. One was from Dr John Hain at the Nidderdale Group Practice. He told of his experience doing visits on his electric assisted bike. Hopefully he will be able to bring it along to the conference so that we can covet it!
Finally it would be brilliant to hear of any sustainable travel plans that delegates have, again I'd really appreciate it if they could be posted on this site. We would love to hear about them no matter how simple they seem.
Best Wishes,
Tim Ballard
20 March 2010
This year's conference
There are many firsts about this year’s conference, one in particular is that this is my first ever blog!
I was asked to lead the RCGP work on Sustainability/Climate change and health in October 2008. It has been an interesting 18 months. I’m thrilled that the RCGP is leading by example not only in relation to the topic of the 2010 conference in Harrogate but that we are taking the first faltering footsteps to deliver a conference with less environmental impact. The whole sustainable health agenda is fascinating. Not only does it resonate with society’s need to address the challenge of climate change but it feeds into the debate about how we continue to deliver ever higher quality healthcare in straightened economic times.
The conference planning team have been working hard to reflect the importance of the sustainable agenda in relation to important health issues of the day whilst maintaining the excellence and breadth of content that the conference is now famed for.
The environmental footprint of a big national conference is considerable. We are trying really hard to minimise this where we can though. This should be seen as the first step on a journey. The feedback of members and delegates will be really helpful, both with suggestions before the conference and observations/reflections during and afterwards.
I’m already getting excited about this year’s conference, but there again I suppose I’m the excitable type!
Best wishes,
Tim Ballard
I was asked to lead the RCGP work on Sustainability/Climate change and health in October 2008. It has been an interesting 18 months. I’m thrilled that the RCGP is leading by example not only in relation to the topic of the 2010 conference in Harrogate but that we are taking the first faltering footsteps to deliver a conference with less environmental impact. The whole sustainable health agenda is fascinating. Not only does it resonate with society’s need to address the challenge of climate change but it feeds into the debate about how we continue to deliver ever higher quality healthcare in straightened economic times.
The conference planning team have been working hard to reflect the importance of the sustainable agenda in relation to important health issues of the day whilst maintaining the excellence and breadth of content that the conference is now famed for.
The environmental footprint of a big national conference is considerable. We are trying really hard to minimise this where we can though. This should be seen as the first step on a journey. The feedback of members and delegates will be really helpful, both with suggestions before the conference and observations/reflections during and afterwards.
I’m already getting excited about this year’s conference, but there again I suppose I’m the excitable type!
Best wishes,
Tim Ballard
2 March 2010
Welcome
Welcome to the RCGP Annual Conference blog. As this year's Conference theme is 'sustainability', we thought it would be useful to explain reasons behind some of our decision making in shaping the Conference and keeping it sustainable.
The Conference Management Team meet every month and we'll update this blog accordingly explaining how we are attempting to be sustainable.
The Conference Management Team meet every month and we'll update this blog accordingly explaining how we are attempting to be sustainable.
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