News and opportunities

Training

• The next three NET Training days are confirmed. On April 16th is a day of Respiratory Epidemiology and Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine hosted by Dr Jenni Quint. Why not read her great paper on COPD mortality and B-blockers before the day? (Quint, J. K., et al. “Effect of β blockers on mortality after myocardial infarction in adults with COPD: population based cohort study of UK electronic healthcare records.” BMJ: British Medical Journal 347 (2013))? Don’t forget to book your free place via EventBrite so we have an estimate of numbers (some non-Resp interlopers may be joining us). The programme is also available by following the link. On May 13th we will be meeting at the Royal Free Hospital, and on June 3rd at the Whittington Hospital, with themes yet to be announced. Cancel your clinics now to make sure you can attend.
• Upcoming Teach-Ins at the Royal College of Physicians include: The importance of transitional care in medicine (focused on young people making the transition to adult services) on April 7th, Dermatology for the General Physician on  May 5th, and Cardiology – modern management of arrhythmias on June 2nd. These are free, and usually include high quality up-to-date speakers and presentations.  A good source of GIM CPD points.
• There is still time to book onto the GMC conference on 16th March 2015 exploring the theme of creating a culture of openness, safety and compassion. Register your conference place before they run out.
• Don’t forget courses on occupational lung disease at the National Heart and Lung Institute including: Occupational Asthma Study Day 21st April; Practical Statistics for Clinical Researchers 23rd June and 30th October; and  Occupational Lung Disease Keeping up to date on 22nd September.
• There are several TB events that are coming up, which are already on the Google Calendar. They include:
  •  “Tackling the social determinants of TB through social protection: the current research gaps” at LSHTM on 17th March 5-7pm. Registration is required.
  • “The new National TB Strategy – can we deliver?” on 18th March at the Royal Society of Medicine. Also needs booking (and fee paid).

Jobs/Research opportunities

• Prof Graham Bothamley is looking for a clinical research fellow working  50% clinical 50% research from October 2015. Get in touch with him directly if interested, or talk to Jess for a bit more info.
• A potential opportunity has come up at QMUL for a SpR to do a PhD investigating effects of vitamin D on resolution of community-acquired pneumonia. The project would involve in vitro work and an in vivo proof of concept study. Supervision would be by Adrian Martineau and Mauro Perretti.  The project would come with 3 years’ clinical salary and PhD fees and consumables, and is therefore quite an opportunity! Remember to factor in the rules around OOPRs and the necessary permissions and notice to the TPD and LETB.

Committees

• The next Respiratory Training Programme Management Committee will be held on Mon 23rd March. Let us know what you are concerned about and what you want us to discuss.