Speech from the Chairman of the Board of Science & Education, Sir David Carter
Wednesday 2 July 2003
Chairman, I move that the report of the Board of Science and Education, in the Annual Report of Council be received.
This report considers the work of the Board over the past session in a number of fields, so I will merely highlight the main achievements and indicate the future direction of our work in the coming session.
In the past session we have completed a number of major studies and have published reports with recommendations, both in hard copy and on the BMA web site.
Asylum seekers
The BMA has a sustained interest in the health of asylum seekers. Therefore, back in October we undertook a review of current and proposed immigration procedures that included the healthcare of asylum seekers. Following the launch of the report we had a meeting with the strategic policy team from the Home Office in November 2002 and as a result we piloted a questionnaire to assess where in the country GPs are finding it difficult to meet the needs of asylum seekers and why this is so.
Passive smoking
In November, we published a report that summarised the scientific and medical knowledge on the nature and scale of the health effects of passive smoking.
Following the launch of the Board’s report, Welsh Assembly members backed a motion in January 2003, which could lead to an end to smoking in all public places. Further, the Irish Medical Organisation welcomed the introduction of a total ban on smoking in the workplace in January 2003 with the draft regulations coming into on 1st January 2004 banning smoking in all work places including restaurants and pubs.
The Board of Science received very high profile coverage and publicity in the Irish Media and our report was mentioned in Parliament as producing the "most recent authoritative resource" on passive smoking and health.
Housing and health
More recently we examined evidence in relation to health and housing. The resulting report suggests ways of ensuring that all individuals can benefit from good quality housing and discusses ways in which government housing policy can be taken forward.
GMOs
In early June we held a roundtable discussion on the impact of genetic modification on agriculture, food and health.
Childhood immunisation
On Sunday we launched ‘Childhood Immunisation’ this report is for general practitioners and reviews the principles of vaccination and immunisation in children aged 0 to five years in the UK. It is intended to assist GPs and other healthcare professionals in discussing the health benefits and potential risks of vaccination with parents so that informed decisions can be made.
Other
During the past session the Board has also produced a number of web resources for health professionals about the dangers of sunbed use, a brief on sleep deprivation, advice for medical students and doctors regarding hepatitis B and C and a detailed sign-posting resource on health and ageing.
BMA research grants
In promoting medical research, the Board continues to act on behalf of the Association’s Trustees in administering the BMA research grants and prize schemes, which now amount to over a quarter of a million pounds, each year. The grants given for medical research for this past session are listed in the Annual Report of Council.
The Board also oversees the work of the library, which is managed by Tony McSean and his team.
Further issues for consideration
During the next session we intend to complete studies on a range of issues, for consideration by BMA Craft Committees. These include reports on smoking and reproductive health, biotechnology, adolescent health and the management of diabetes.
Finally Chairman, I would like to express my thanks to all members of the Association. In particular Chief Officers, members of the Board of Science and Education, the Craft Committees and other colleagues who have assisted me during the past session, and who have contributed to the work of the Board, in promoting the medical and allied sciences. I would also like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Board to the dedicated Science secretariat for their continued hard work and commitment.