Association COVID-19 task group update, 20 March
Dear members,
As ever, I hope you and yours are well and that you stay well in these difficult days as we all work together in the fight against COVID-19. Here at the Association, we are doing our utmost to support our members with timely information and webinars.
We have taken some decisions this week, about which I want to inform you.
Closure of 21 Portland Place
As of this week, we have closed our building at 21 Portland Place in London, and all staff are working from home. The Heritage Museum is closed, and no seminars will be taking place.
We will use our virtual technology for all communications and to continue essential meetings online rather than face to face. Our website and electronic communications are already a primary source of information for members, and we are well equipped to deliver webinars and online learning for our members.
Educational events
We continue to adapt our plans for forthcoming education events either to be postponed or converted to an on-line resource wherever possible. Decisions have also been taken to cancel some events given the current pressures.
Cancellations March to April
All events which were due to take place during this period are cancelled. We will look to convert other events after May to virtual and online learning if possible.
Trainee Conference 8-10 July 2020 postponed to 2-4 June 2021
Accepted abstracts to Trainee Conference will be published. Shortlisted submitters will be informed that they were selected for presentation.
Annual Congress 23-25 September 2020 cancelled
Annual Congress 2020 Harrogate is cancelled, including the abstract submission process.
Communication is going out to faculty and members about these decisions and the website is being updated.
Webinars on COVID-19
We have been organising online meetings on COVID-19, the next being critical care ‘cross-skilling’ and updates for the general anaesthetist webinar which will be held tomorrow 21 March 2020. You can also access this webinar on Sunday for free from our website. Additional COVID-19 related webinars are likely to be held on 4 April and 18 April. Keep an eye on our website for updates about this and forthcoming webinars.
COVID collaborative information hub
The Association, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine and the Intensive Care Society have formed a collaborative to provide the most up to date information and guidance for anaesthetists and their critical care colleague for managing patients with COVID-19 infection. A new website was launched last Friday and we are working together to update content. You can access this new website here.
On behalf of the Association task group I will endeavour to report to you as often as necessary and provide you with timely updates.
May I wish you all well and look out for yourself and your colleagues.
Dr Kathleen Ferguson
President
Association of Anaesthetists