President's Message
Dr Nick Thompson, BAPEN President
I’m finding it hard to believe that we’re already on the verge of entering summer, and over the past few months BAPEN has been busy as ever! As always, it’s difficult to pin down recent activities and upcoming opportunities to just a few highlights, but I have picked out a selection below for you.
Welcoming New Team Members
We’re pleased to welcome Eliana Martin into the BAPEN team as an Associate Communications Officer. She’ll be working alongside our Comms Officer, Kate Hall, to support, showcase and promote the work of BAPEN and its Core Groups. Congratulations on your new role, Eliana – we’re very much looking forward to your ideas and energy.
BAPEN Treasurer
If this appointment has made you wonder about getting more involved with the organisation, then why not consider applying for the role of BAPEN Treasurer. Currently filled by Dr Sheldon Cooper, this is an integral role providing financial oversight of the charity. A significant shadow period with Dr Cooper will help ensure the opportunity to gain confidence in this role, in addition to bespoke training opportunities and support from the Board of Trustees. Apply before 31st May by emailing your application to bapen@bapen.org.uk – more details are available on the website!
Sustainability Special Interest Group
Following a similar theme, we’re wishing a warm welcome to Dr Ashley Bond as the new BAPEN Sustainability Lead. If you want to learn more about Ashley, his background and motivation to lead our new Sustainability Special Interest Group (SSIG), I encourage you to visit the ‘Getting to know the BAPEN team’ section of our website.
For those not already aware, the SSIG is a multidisciplinary group tasked with developing a sustainability strategy for BAPEN. The implementation of this strategy will aim to improve sustainable practices within clinical nutrition and to consider all aspects of sustainability for the charity.
The SSIG is welcoming applications from any member with an interest in sustainability to join their ranks. With support available for those new to committee positions, I encourage you all to consider applying before the deadline of 31st May. For further information on how to apply, as usual, visit the BAPEN website.
UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2024
We recently started the countdown for UKMAW by announcing the new dates for 2024. Taking place between 11th - 17th November, this is the seventh successive year that BAPEN has partnered with the Malnutrition Task Force to increase understanding of the dangers, risk factors and signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Keep your eyes peeled for more information to follow on how to get involved with the campaign.
Edgbaston Course
It’s a little bit away but… Mark your calendars for 19th - 21st May 2025, as BAPEN is delighted to announce the revival of the Grasmere course, now relocated to Edgbaston. Designed to foster collaborative learning, this three-day event aims to bring together five or six nutrition teams from hospitals across the UK.
This course offers an unparalleled opportunity for multidisciplinary teams to engage in nutrition education together and bolster their teamwork skills. To allow attendees to reap the most benefits, a priority will be placed on hospital teams where the nutrition multidisciplinary team (MDT) has undergone recent changes, or only recently been established.
If you believe your team would benefit from this experience, we invite you to contact bapen@bapen.org.uk to secure your place.
A personal journey – not metaphorical, but a real journey!
I write this as I have begun my fundraising hike, walking the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. The first leg of this journey should end in Lausanne in mid-June, and the second is to follow in the autumn. I encourage you to follow the progress on my Instagram page (@2000k.to.rome). My wife, Ruth, friends Simon and Rosey and I are using this opportunity to raise money for two charities involved in clinical nutrition: PINNT, the brilliant support group for patients who need artificial nutrition support, and clinical nutrition research at Newcastle Hospitals & University. If anyone would be kind enough to sponsor us, they can do so via our Just Giving page here: https://justgiving.com/team/2000k-to-rome.
Ann Micklewright
Finally, everyone at BAPEN was saddened to learn of Ann Micklewright’s passing earlier this year. Ann’s long list of notable achievements saw her recognised with the John Lennard-Jones Medal, the highest accolade that the Association can award. Ann was an integral part of the BAPEN team, developing the PENG Pocket Guide to Clinical Nutrition alongside Vera Todorovic, and playing an influential role in the early development of BANS. Dr Barry Jones articulates Ann’s passion well, as part of the tribute we shared on the BAPEN website: “Ann’s email moniker ‘dietqueen’ captured her essence perfectly – an iconic presence driving progress.”
Enjoy the rest of your Spring and please consider completing our quick 5-minute survey to help shape the future of In Touch – find out more via the website. Look forward to catching up soon.
Best wishes,
Nick
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