RA International Committee Meeting
RA/BRS Meeting Manchester
Date: 19 May 2010 (Wednesday)
Time: 1330-1430
Venue: Exchange Room 6, Manchester Central Convention Complex
Present: John Feehally, Paul Harden, Peter Mathieson, Mignon McCulloch, Neil Turner,
Albert Ong (chair).
Apologies: Terry Cook, John Eastwood, Meguid El Nahas, Robert Unwin, Magdi
Yaqoob, Steve Sacks.
Minutes
1. Welcome and apologies

Albert welcomed Mignon McCulloch who has replaced Alan Watson as the
BAPN representative.
2. Update from individual members

John was congratulated on his election as President-elect of the ISN.

Paul Harden has recently taken over as Coordinator of the ISN Sister Centre
Programme.

Meguid has been elected onto the ISN Council.
3. ISN update – Sister Centre and Fellowship programmes (JF, PH)

Paul reported that there are 7 active UK centres and 5 not active. This is a
notable achievement for the UK since there are a total of 34 ISN centres (21
C, 8B and 5A).
4. International exchanges (RJU) – not discussed
5. Tropical nephrology

Albert reported that an enquiry had been received from a trainee regarding the
possibility of obtaining dual accreditation in nephrology and tropical
medicine. After consultation, it was recommended that this be pursued as ‘Out
of Programme’ experience rather than as dual accreditation.
6. Expanding educational initiatives – Advanced Nephrology, Pan-African
congress

Peter confirmed that the Renal Association had committed to sponsoring a
speaker to attend the Pan Africa Congress in 2013. Albert will inform Jo Adu.

John Eastwood had previously raised the issue of ‘Overseas membership’
category of the RA for non-Francophone West African nephrologists. It was
agreed that this would be put forward to the next RA executive for approval
with the suggestion of setting membership fees at a subsidised level (trainee).
7. Overcoming visa restrictions

John Feehally pointed out that the new visa requirements have made ‘hands
on’ clinical training for ISN fellows in the UK very difficult to access.
Graham Warwick had recently succeeded after much effort in getting a visa
for an ISN Fellow from India for Leicester. The RCP was also making
representations to the Home Office.
8. AOB

RA Corporate membership to ISN: Currently 250 RA members also hold
individual ISN membership. It may not be financially attractive for ISN to
change to a corporate membership model.

RA/ISN fellowship: Albert proposed that the RA could co-sponsor a fellow
with the ISN as a new initiative. Mignon suggested that a similar initiative
with BAPN/ISN would be good. She will approach the BAPN council to see if
they would be interested. After discussion, it was suggested that a proposal to
fund a joint fellow annually for up to 5 years be made to the RA Executive for
their next meeting. It was recommended that this scheme would be limited to
applicants from English-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa as an area of unmet
need and also because of existing ties.
9. Next meeting: Renal Association 2011