}oining B A C C N

If you are not already a BACCN member and would like to be (or know someone who would) please contact Merlyn Shenavar, BACCN National Secretary, c/o ICU/CCU North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4JB, UK.

President's report: Annual General Meeting, April 1995, Leicester

It does not seem too tong ago that I was giving my report at Bournemouth last September. The change in our national AGM date to April, rather than September should in fact lead to a shorter report as we theoretically should have less activity overall to announce. Somehow it doesn't feel that way! Changing our financial and administrative year also led to a great deal of frenzied activity on the part of the executive committee and it feels as if we still haven' t caught up.

My report today should be set against the general changes that are occurring in the NHS generally. B A C C N has to keep up with the rate of change, respond and react as rapidly as our members are required to do in their daily work. My report has therefore to be set in a particular context and it is one of voluntary endeavour and professional pride set against continuous change. It cannot be said too often that the work of the Association is achieved on a completely voluntary basis, against a background of individual busy lives and careers. Overall I have to congratulate the regional, national and executive committee members for having achieved so much, in so short a space of time.

As B A C C N is an Association which exists to promote excellence in the provision and delivery of critical care nursing through education, research, mutual support and multidisciplinary collaboration, we have to look closely at how we are to achieve this with hardly any financial resources and a voluntary committee structures.

Establishing the Association The time spent examining our philosophies and action plans led to the development of a B A C C N portfolio. This document is in the final planning stages and should be going to the printers in the near future. The decision to write a portfolio is a serious attempt to demonstrate to the world of nursing, management, industry and medicine that B A C C N exists and that we do have a part to play in the ongo- ing and future developments of critical care services. The portfolio will start conversations, generate debate and negotiate a strong foundation to ground the Association in a professional, collegial and safe financial ha:bout.

We intended to copyright our name and logo as a service mark in order to retain a unique identifica- tion. This is ongoing, as it is a long process, but one which should be complete by the end of 1995. We plan to be VAT registered by the end of 1995 also. This is taking us longer than we had hoped, mainly because it is such a complex process and we wish to ensure that we understand the ramifications of being VAT registered before we prepare our regional trea- surers. We retain our charitable status but in the future it will be under our registered service mark as the British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Company status has exercised our minds over the

last months. We started to look into this in September last year. As our annual turnover contin- ues to grow and in order to safeguard national and regional committee members who act as trustees for the association we wish to become a Company lim- ited by Guarantee. This move has been delayed until the end of the year in order to bring in VAT regis- tration at the same time. There will be no changes in the Association for the members, but this change provides insurance for the trustees, protection for our members in that the association exists on a more permanent basis; it will help us safeguard against any fraudulent activity and provide a stronger corporate image: As a company limited by guarantee, B A C C N has to comply with the Companies Act (1985, 1989) and file our constitution with Companies House, audit the National Account (which we already do each year), and make the accounts available for pub- lic inspection. If members have any questions or queries about this move they can contact me for information over this year. B A C C N is committed to this move which will be completed at the end of the year.

Systems and activities In order to grow, develop, and support members activities, the need to review our financial arrange- ments for the future increases. B A C C N has to meet a regular bill from Churchill Livingstone for the Journal subscription. Meeting this bill entails much work for the national treasurer and membership sec- retary. Our decision to centralise our membership system and financial arrangements should streamline our systems and ultimately reduce workloads for our national and regional committees.

The forums within the Association have devel- oped primarily from the interests of the national committee representatives. The Education Forum is established, a Research Forum was launched at the 1994 conference and now the Management Forum begins. W e hope to strengthen Forum activity by linking the Forum meetings with the National AGM.

The development of the B A C C N News pages in Intensive and Critical Care Nursing continues to be a useful and regular way to communicate with our members. As the Journal has increased to six publica- tions a year, opportunities for providing information will grow. As of yet, we have had no letters or feed- back on these pages from the members - we would welcome any criticisms, comments and suggestions for these pages. We continue to maintain our links with the Journal through representation on the edi- torial board.

We are pleased to report that the U K T C A and B A C C N joint survey on relatives reasons for refusual of organ donation has reached a conclusion. Data analysis has been completed by M O R I and a report is expected soon. The B A C C N and R C N survey o f lCUs is undergoing data analysis at present. Paul Fulbrook and Julie Pearce have paused in their labours over this as they are extremely active at work and in BACCN.

Establishing links The executive committee have spent some time in

tntensive and Critical Care Nursing (1995) I I , 175-179 © 1995 Pearson Professional Ltd

176 Intensive and Critical Care Nursing

fostering links with the Department of Health which led to an invitation to take part in a working party on the admission and discharge criteria for intensive care units. Members will probably be very aware of the media interest generated in the report on the provi- sion of Intensive Care in England and other newspa- per articles and reports describing the diflSculties in finding intensive care beds when they are urgently required by critically ill people. B A C C N produced a statement for publication in response to nursing media interest and the Report. One of the issues raised by the study was the need for common criteria to inform admission to intensive care beds. Responding to this the Department of Health are ini- tiating an expert working group to look at the impor- tance of establishing common admission and dis- charge criteria. We are nominating Lynne Harrison, an executive committee member. Lynne currently works at the Charles Frears College of Nursing in Leicester as the Intensive Care Course Tutor and is a very active B A C C N member at regional and national level. Once the working group is established Lynne will provide feedback in the journal and interested members will be able to contact her regarding issues arising out of the working party.

We are establishing links with the Intensive Care National and Research Audit Centre. I C N A R C was partly funded by the D O H and has been established to research and collate data concerning intensive care management. I have been invited to participate in a working party on TISS and will represent B A C C N in this development.

International links have been fostered through B A C C N representation at the World Congress on Critical Care Nursing in Toronto and the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses annual confer- ence in September last year. During the World Congress I was invited to two meetings. One meet- ing was hosted by AACN and was an opportunity for leaders representing critical care organisations around the world to meet each other and to discuss individ- ual associations needs and the very different issues affecting different countries around the world. A sec- ond meeting was to participate in the AACN World Congress Advisory Group meeting which explored the design for the next World Congress on Critical Care Nursing. This will be held in Hong Kong, 2-5 July 1996 and will support the theme of 'East meets West: Explore the World of Alternative Therapies'.

B A C C N has put forward a joint application with the Intensive Care Society to host the World Congress in Intensive Care in the year 2001. We are still awaiting the outcome of this bid as we are in the running with a few other bidders.

National conference Our conference activity is organised at national and regional level. This is our 10th year of organising a national conference. Our conference will be a cele- bration of critical care nursing, yet provide a plat- form for developments into the new century. We invite you to join us at Glasgow at the University of Strathclyde in September 1995. Planning is well underway and advertising for this will be out shortly. Application forms will be sent to members in the journal and to individual units and wards. This year

we are intending to broaden our scope and attract sur- gical and medical nurses. We are also being supported for the first time by six other nursing associations which help to broaden the programme and attract a larger number of nurses. We have a provisional book- ing for the Cardiff International Arena for 1996 and planning for this next conference will start soon.

Regional groups remain busy and active provid- ing a range of study evenings, half study days or full conferences. Examples are those of Southern region, which will be joining forces with the R C N inten- sive care forum to run a 2-day conference in London towards the end of the year and Wessex are taking a study day to Jersey to repeat their successful day from last year.

By asking:

• 'what are we involved in?' - I can point to the links with other associations, such as the Intensive Care Society, Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre; Research links with other associations; links with the Department of Health; supporting a Journal and producing copy for B A C C N News.

• 'what have we produced?' - Centralised our membership and put in place a central membership and financial system; three Forums; a national annual conference; a National AGM and Forum meeting; regional workshops for regional committee members; collaboration on international applications to host an international conference.

• 'what are we doing?' - Registering our service mark; Obtaining Company status; Setting up a role for marketing and publicity through the work ofLynne Harrisoin; Reviewing the membership handbook; Producing a regional information pack; Establishing partnerships with industry; expanding and developing links with other international critical care nursing associations and producing a B A C C N portfolio to communicate our philosophy, values, beliefs and short and long term goals to the all interested parties.

Creating such a list reinforces my thanks to all the regional committee members for their hard work in keeping B A C C N alive at the grass roots; my thanks to the national committee who remain committed to the development and progress of B A C C N and the executive deserve a pat on the back for all their efforts at representing B A C C N at national level with a view to our future growth, development and diversity. I hope our members have a clearer view of what we are all about. I thank them, everyone for rejoining our association this year and by doing so demonstrating their support for the association as a whole. Without the members there is no BACCN. We need more members to sustain our activity, so those who read this report, please encourage col- leagues to join us. We are making an impact on the world of nursing and we are recognised as the main voice for critical care nursing. Help us to make this voice clearer and more vocal through your support of regional and national activities over this year.

Helen Ellis, President

BACCN News 177

Membership report From 1977 various groups of critical care nurses were established in the UK, covering a wide geo- graphical area. In 1982 the various groups joined together to form a national organisation with regional branches. The final discussions and propos- als were made in London in October 1994 when it was agreed that such a step would be essential for the development of critical care nurses in the future.

Since 1984 the membership of B A C C N has steadily grown. The association is divided into regional groups of which we now have 17. They include newly qualified nurses to nurse managers, nurses in education and research posts, nurses practis- ing in the industrial field. Membership of B A C C N is open to any professional with an interest in critical care. Associate membership is available for non-nurs- ing members, although they have no voting rights.

Benefits of membership include:

• Being a member of a professional organisation • Receiving a bi-monthly professional journal • Special rates at all B A C C N study days and

conferences • Being represented at national level through your

regional committee representative in order that your views and concerns may be addressed by the Association.

National membership has been both encouraging and hard work. We now have a membership of between 2000 and 2500 divided between the 17 regions. Membership numbers and specialities vary from region to region. The largest regions are Wessex, Northern, Southern, Wales and West Midlands. However, all regions have a healthy, active membership.

Membership renewal has been slower than usual but steady due to the change of renewal date from 1 April to 1 January this year. I anticipate membership increasing over the next few months and am confi- dent new members joining the Association will replace non-renewing members gradually.

Each Region has a Membership Secretary who maintains the regional listing. The National Membership Secretary maintains the National database. We have had a few changes since last year, and I would like to thank the retired secretaries for their hard work and to wish them well. I would also like to welcome newcomers to the job: Andrea Blay (Southern); Maria Judge (Central South); Maureen Roe (East Midlands); Linda Broadley (Northern) and Janet Roberts (Tayside). Some have been in post for some time now. The remaining Membership Secretaries have mostly been doing the job for a long time, and without their hard work and reliability, coordinating the National Membership would be a nightmare!

Members seem to be very mobile and frequently change address; some members forget to notify us of this which makes life very difficult for us, but also means that the member will not receive up-to-date mailings and the journal issues. There is nothing we can do to ensure that we are informed of changes, other than continue to remind members that prompt notification is vital.

What should I do i f I a m th inking o f j o i n i n g B A C C N for the first t ime? All new members effective from 01.01.95 will pay their membership subscription of £ 2 5 by standing order into the new B A C C N National bank account. A new national membership application form has been designed and will be available through regional membership secretaries and Merlyn Shenavar, the National Membership Secretary. You can also turn up to local B A C C N events and ask for a form to join the Association or ask for your local link member. Part of the application form is the standing order mandate. You will fill this out and return the form to Merlyn Shenavar who will process your application with your bank, our National Treasurer, your local Regional Membership Secretary and Churchill Livingstone. You will be sent a membership card and number and a membership pack from the Regional Membership Secretary. This pack is delayed this year as we are redesigning and reprinting it. This is being taken on by members of the eXecu- tive committee and is therefore subject to their workload in general, it should be ready soon and will be sent to you via the regional membership sec- retaries.

W h a t do I do i f I have c h a n g e d m y n a m e or

address? You could contact either the National Membership Secretary or your Regional Membership Secretary. The National Membership Secretary maintains the national database of members.

Mertyn Shenavar can be contacted c/o The ICU/CCU, North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 4JB.

Const i tu t iona l change As members are aware, B A C C N has been preparing for changing to a company limited by guarantee. The situation at present is that we have had solicitors pre- pare a 'new' constitution in 'company status legal speak' and this will be available during this coming year, through the national representatives and each regional committee. We are now aiming to become a company limited by guarantee by 1 January 1996. Progress on this has been delayed due to the need to become VAT registered, and the preparation time required by both our National and Regional treasur- ers. We have planned a regional treasurers work- shop, provisionally for 25 June and a full regional workshop on 10 November so that we can achieve this status by 1996. There were some constitutional items for ratification outstanding from the 1994 AGM at Bournemouth in September 1994. These will now be ratified within the format of our 'trans- lated' constitution at our next AGM in April 1996. If there are any concerns regarding this planned change please do not hesitate to contact either Paul Fulbrook (National Treasurer) or Netta Lloyd-Jones (Vice President).

Financial report As National Treasurer I have to take the following issues into consideration: B A C C N Ltd, our chang- ing status to a Company Limited by Guarantee and

178 Intensive and Critical Care Nursing

therefore, VAT registration and Charitable Status; payment for the bimonthly Journal subscriptions and day-to-day financial running of the organisation. A growing issue is that of regional accountability and standardisation to support appropriate financial sys- tems. We have also to consider income generated, future income generation activities and also our growing need for a central office.

B A C C N Accounts 0 1 . 0 4 . 9 4 - 3 I . 12.94

Fixed assets At cost less depreciation

as at 01.01.94 Additions

Less depreciation

1994 1993

6118 1828 4177 4290

10295 6118 3569 6726 2485 3633

Current assets Debtors Bank account - general

- conference 20 39 I 20415

24 2629

3365 15085 21079

Less:currentliabilities Creditors & accured charges

- conference account - - 2307 - generalaccount 58__88 705

588 3012 Net current assets 19 827 18 067

26 533 21 700

Financed by: Surplus of funds as at 01.01.94 21 700 10386 Transfer for income & expenditure account

General account (5912) (2207) Conference account 10765 4853 13521 II 314

£26553 £21 700

Income & Expenditure

Income: Membership fees 49 37 I Bank interest 454 Sundry income 1486

51311

Less: expenditure Travelling expenses 4305 Conference expenses 2195 Professional journals 32 30 I Printing, postage, telephone,

stationery & advertising I 164 Grants to workshops 1280 Accountancy charges 588 Sundry expenses 18 Depreciation:

Fixtures, equipment & fittings 1084

Less: Transfer to BACCN 95 account (14288) Deficit transferred to balance sheet (£5912)

42 935 8376

Confe rence I n c o m e / E x p e n d i t u r e A c c o u n t

Income: Sponsorship 35 039 Sundry income 647 Deposit a/c interest 123 I Delegate fees 28 006

63 923

Less: expenditure Travelling expenses 6970 Conference expenses 39 574

Printing, postage, stationery, telephone & advertising 7029

Sundry expenses 485 54 058 10865

Less: Transfer to BACCN 1995 account (1013) Surplus transferred to balance sheet £10 765

B A C C N M e m b e r s h i p Subscr ipt ions

Membership fee income Annual membership fee (per member) £25 Current membership approx. £2000 1995 income from membership fees £50 000

Division of membership fee (per member) Journal fee currently £20 Payment to regions £ I Payment to BACCN National £4

Sum available for BACCN National running costs Approx. £8000

BACCN National expenditure so far (I 995)

£5027.61

Paul Fulbrook, National Treasurer

N a t i o n a l A G M and F o r u m meet ings - 2 I Apr i l 1995

This meeting was held at the NSPCC Training Centre in Leicester and as venues go, this was excel- lent. Friendly and helpful staff supported the day with no apparent signs of stress and provided copious amounts of tea and coffee and a hot lunch for the 90 or more delegates. The conference was an opportu- nity to present the National AGM to as many mem- bers as possible and to support Forum activity in a more structured way. Bringing the Education Forum, the Management Forum and the Research and Nursing Practice Development Forum together on one site offered the delegates the opportunity to attend a range of interesting and relevant sessions. We were happy to see that the delegates divided them- selves into three equal sized groups with no outside prompting! This shows us that we have three Forums which represent members interests and that we have it right for now. The programme looked as follows:

Morning Plenary Session Advanced Practice: Do we know what it is? Paul Fulbrook, Senior Lecturer in Critical Care Nursing, University of Portsmouth School of Health Studies - National Treasurer: B C C N

W h o Will Buy Critical Care? Michael Nattrass, Speciality Manager, Critical Care and Anaesthetic Services, GlenfieId Hospital, NHS Trust

The Nursing Strategy for Research: Politics, Policies and Practice Issues Julie Pearce, Senior Research Fellow, Intensive Care Units, Southampton District General Hospital - National Secretary: BA C C N

Education Forum Fitness for purpose: competency based practice in critical care.

BACCN News 179

The professional view: Leslie Robertson, Education O~cer, Adult and Children's Nursing, English National Board

The purchaser view: Jonathon Asbridge, Director of Nursing Services, Oxford Radcliffe Trust Hospital

The Needs of'the Child in Critical Care - Preparing the Practitioners Fran Gaoqeld , Senior Nurse~Associate Directorate Manager, Paediatric Directorate, Royal Brompton Hospital, London

Research and Nursing Practice Development Forum Action Research in Action Loretta Belman, Advisor~Lecturer in Nursing, Institute of Advanced Nursing Education, Royal College of Nursing, London

Developing Clinical Multidisciplinary Protocols Shona Brown, Lecturer Practitioner, Practice Development, Centre for Nursing Practice Development, Lancashire College of Nursing and Health Studies

Establishing Research Interest Groups in the Clinical Setting Belinda Linden, Nurse Advisor, British Heart Foundation

Management Forum Issues in Implementing Clinical Supervision Tina Baxter, Lecturer Practitioner, Practice Development Centre for Nursing Practice Development, Lancashire College of Nursing and Health Studies

Patient Focused Care Hospitals lain Buchan, Director, Surgical and Intensive Care Services, Health Care International Medical Centre, Clydebank

Re-engineering the Health Care Process Hilary Schofield, Senior Nurse, Theatre and Critical Care Service, Leicester Royal Infirmary, NHS Trust

All speakers provided stimulating, relevant and challenging papers and I thank them for their contri- bution to a very enjoyable day. It was good to see

those members who attended and I look forward with great pleasure to seeing them at our National Conference in Glasgow and at next year's AGM and Forum meeting. My thanks to Lynne Harrison for all her help and support at the Leicester end!

Helen Ellis, President

1995 Conference

Our National Conference will be held from 18-21 September at S~rathclyde University in Glasgow. Conference posters and booking forms will be out soon, so make a diary date or ring Sue Clarke on 01724 845000 to request information and booking fOFITIS.

National Conference 1995: Call for Posters and Papers

Fliers are out calling for poster and papers. Julie Pearce, Secretary BACCN, will direct any poster enquiries through to Lynne Harrison, whilst she her- self coordinates the free papers. Julie can be con- tacted via the Intensive Care Unit , Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO9 4XY on 01703 796368.

Those of you wishing to present posters can contact Lynne direct via 14 Thorns ViUa Gardens, Worsley, Manchester M28 1UT or on 01169 721298.

Writing to BACCN

We would like to hear from any of our members, or non-members come to that! You may like to write an open letter concerning B A C C N or Intensive and Critical Care Nursing; publish your comments about any relevant topic or make a general enquiry to all critical care nurses. Please send your contributions to the B A C C N Representative, Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, Churchill Livingstone Journals, Rober t Stevenson House, 1-3 Baxters Place, Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3AF, UK.