College News - May 2010RCPE UK Consensus Statement on DiabetesRCPE MEDICAL EXPERTS CALL FOR LEGISLATION TO BAN ADVERTISING OF UNHEALTHY FOOD, AS DIABETES INCREASES A group of over 100 diabetes experts from across Scotland and the UK has called for legislative action to ban all forms of advertising of unhealthy foods to children in order to reduce increasing obesity levels and, in turn, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In recent years obesity levels have increased significantly. Two thirds of the UK adult population is currently overweight (BMI>25 Kg/m2) and one quarter obese (BMI>30 Kg/m2 ). Obesity poses a significant health challenge and carries a strong risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers. Against this background, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) convened a UK-wide meeting of diabetes experts in order to reach a consensus on how best to tackle this major threat to health. After considering the evidence and in addition to making a number of practical clinical recommendations for improving diabetes care, this group of medical experts has called for tighter legislative regulation of the food, drink and catering industry and the extension of current restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to children (during children’s TV programmes) to the non-broadcast media and the wider marketing environment. Dr Scott Ramsay, lead organiser of the event for the RCPE, said, “Rates of obesity and diabetes are continuing to increase at alarming rates and pose one of the most serious health challenges of this time. In response to this situation, diabetes experts from across the UK have come together to call on the Scottish and UK governments to demonstrate greater leadership in tackling this crisis. In particular we believe that the lessons from effective legislation on smoking should be used to promote healthier diets, increased physical activity and to inform transport and planning policy. This should involve tighter regulation of the food and drink industry and the extension of restrictions on “less healthy” food and drink advertising in children’s television programmes to all forms of advertising aimed at children.” A Supplement to The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh containing the background papers which informed the development of this consensus statement has now been published. New Faculty of Intensive Care MedicineFellows and Members may be interested to learn that a new Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine has been established MRCP (UK) vacanciesUK Fellows may be interested in two vacancies which have arisen within MRCP(UK). Medical Secretary to the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining BoardChair of the MRCP(UK) Scenario Editorial CommitteeThe closing date for both positions is 28 May 2010 Effectiveness of CPDFellows and Members may be interested to read a new report on the Effectiveness of CPD which was prepared on behalf of the College of Emergency Medicine, Manchester Metropolitan University and Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians. The report is based on research carried out into the effectiveness of CPD involving non-training doctors from staff grades to senior consultants, including those primarily involved in management, CPD provision and assessment; and institutional officials, such as in Deaneries and universities IMPORTANT NOTICE: STATEMENT & ADVICE ON JRCPTB FEES INCREASEFollowing the announcement of an increase in JRCPTB training fees, the RCPE Trainees & Members' Committee and the President of the RCPE have made the following statements. Examinations taken outside approved postgraduate training: updateTrainees and Members may be interested to read the latest statement from the GMC regarding the above. Dr Kerri Baker, Chair of the RCPE Trainees and Members' Committee, said, "The Trainees & Members' Committee will continue to lobby for a change in this law to allow individuals who complete an approved training programme to enter the Specialist Register via CCT regardless of whether their postgraduate exams were completed in or outwith programme". The Colleges will be meeting with the GMC in June to discuss this issue and we will ensure that there is adequate trainee representation and will feedback to trainees afterwards accordingly
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