WELCOME TO THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF THE LIVER

The IQILS accreditation scheme (Improving Quality in Liver Services) has now been operational for over a year. 2018 has been a busy year for the scheme, with 36 services registered to date.

A full list and map of those registered can be found on the website. Services across Wales, Northern Ireland and England are included in those registered. A few early bird discounts, available for smaller services, kindly supported by BASL, are still available. If your service would be interested in this, please get in touch at askiqils@rcplondon.ac.uk .

The second service training day for registered services is being held in London on 29 January 2019. The day is designed for services that would like to learn more about the accreditation standards and the accreditation process. For further information, please contact the team. 

Following an assessor training day held in September, the first batch of assessors have been recruited and trained. Wales is leading the way in improving liver services and with the help of an initiative funded by the Welsh government, with two peer review visits taking place in November 2018. The scheme is going from strength to strength and our hope is that we have more services registering with the scheme. Registration is open to all liver services across the UK.

For further information, please visit the IQILS website www.iqils.org  or email askiqils@rcplondon.ac.uk  .

BASL has set up a number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which are linked to the NIHR’s Clinical Research Network (CRN) topic areas. The Wilson’s Disease SIG has been active for one year, with an initial lead appointed by the BASL Committee. BASL is now seeking nominations for an elected Lead for this SIG. 

Eligibility requirements

• All nominees should be members of the Wilson’s Disease SIG, as a BASL member or as an associate member of BASL through being a member of the SIG
• Each nominee should have a proposer and seconder, who should also be BASL members or associate members through the Wilson’s Disease SIG
• The initial Lead can stand for election once
• Should a contested election be held, BASL / Wilson’s Disease SIG members may vote in this
• The elected Lead will serve for two years, when there will be a further election.

Nomination process

• Please send nominations to the BASL Secretariat at Samantha@basl.org.uk  by 17:00 on 19 November 2018
• If more than one candidate is nominated, the Secretariat will arrange for an election, in which all BASL / Wilson’s Disease SIG members may vote
• Should an election be required, candidates will need to submit a personal statement of up to 300 words
• The successful candidate will be elected by a simple majority of those members voting
• Any queries should be addressed to Samantha@basl.org.uk.

About the Wilson’s Disease SIG

The Wilson’s Disease SIG is linked to the Metabolic CRN topic area. The  SIG comprises a variety of clinical and laboratory specialists from around the UK, Public Health England and patient representation from the Wilson’s Disease Support Group. Its aims are to foster closer collaboration for clinical and scientific research, provide a forum to discuss and disseminate best practice, and act as a stimulus towards Centres of Excellence for Wilson’s disease. Further information may be found here.

The role of the SIG Lead

A SIG is expected to meet at least once a year. The BASL secretariat provides administrative support for SIGs, which includes creating and maintaining SIG member databases, arranging meetings and associated materials, and arranging publicity.

The role of the SIG Lead includes:

• Chairing SIG meetings and co-ordinating actions to be pursued
• Helping to co-ordinate bids for funding for trials and other research, and linking with the NIHR and other funders
• Ensuring the SIG is recognised and supported within the Metabolic CRN topic area
• Reporting on SIG activities to BASL, in particular via liaison with BASL’s Research Subcommittee.