One of the aims of the BGS is to support doctors through their training in the specialty of geriatric medicine. The Trainees Council provides an important opportunity for trainee doctors to share learning and experience from their journey specialising in geriatric medicine, and to ensure trainees’ perspectives inform the direction of the BGS, its policy, education and clinical quality work. The Chair of the Trainees Council is the key leadership role in the Society representing the interests of trainee doctors.
The post may be undertaken by one person, or by two people job-sharing the role as Co-Chairs of the Trainees Council.
Chair’s role and responsibilities
-
Chairing Trainees Council committee meetings: This involves planning agendas, coordinating with BGS staff on meeting arrangements, ensuring discussion of major issues affecting trainees within geriatric medicine, delegating tasks to office-bearers and committee members, overseeing follow-up actions, recruiting new members to the committee and leading the team.
-
BGS Trustee Board meetings, serving as a charity Trustee on the BGS Board of Trustees. This involves attending four Board meetings per year and working with the President, BGS Officers, other trustees and the BGS staff to guide the strategic direction of the Society and provide governance.
-
Trainee Communications, maintaining communications (via newsletters, e-bulletins, and the Trainees area of the website) with trainee members of the BGS, with the assistance of other members of the Trainees Council and BGS staff, and reporting back to the BGS on the activities of the Trainees Council and on trainees’ experiences.
-
National Conferences and Events, providing input to the annual national Trainees meeting, the BGS Spring and Autumn meetings and other relevant events.
-
Society Representative, representing geriatric medicine trainees at the twice-yearly Joint Specialty meeting between the RCP London and BGS, and in other forums as requested.
Term
-
Two years from the date of appointment (7 November 2025).
Time Commitment:
-
Approximately two to three hours a week but on occasion up to one half day a week.
-
The role is unpaid, but relevant expenses will be reimbursed in line with the BGS expenses policy.
Representation at meetings:
-
BGS Trainees Council: 4 per year: 13:00 – 16:00
-
BGS Trustee Board: 4 per year: 11:00 – 15:00
-
BGS & RCP joint meeting: 2 per year: 14:00 – 15:30
-
BGS national conferences (spring and autumn): 2 per year: 2/3 days each
-
BGS Annual Trainees meeting: 1 per year: 2 days
Requirements for the role:
-
Be passionate about the aims of the BGS and committed to improving the healthcare of older people.
-
Be committed to contributing to a high-quality training and learning experience for doctors specialising in geriatric medicine and to shaping the landscape of training.
-
Be enthusiastic about trainee welfare and wellbeing.
-
Be interested in influencing the external policy environment to ensure that the NHS provides the best possible care for older people.
-
Be a member of the BGS.
-
Be at the SpR/STR grade.
-
Be able to commit the required time.
-
Have experience as a member of the BGS Trainees Council committee or another BGS committee.
How to apply
Self-nominations, in the form of a covering email and a short 500-word statement on how you would approach the role and your suitability for the position, to be sent to Mark Stewart at M.Stewart@bgs.org.uk by Thursday 29 May (9am). This should also be accompanied by a statement (max 200 words) from a geriatric medicine consultant in support of your nomination.
In the event that more than one candidate comes forward, an election will be held, with votes cast by members of the BGS Trainees Council.
If you would like to discuss the role with the current Co-Chairs, Victoria O’Brien and Julianaa Raghu, in advance of making an application, please contact the BGS Business and Office Manager Mark Stewart in the first instance via M.Stewart@bgs.org.uk.
