BASEM and FSEM (UK) Joint Statement 28 Feb 2022
Leadership Group of The British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine and The Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine to discuss the formation of a College of Sport & Exercise Medicine and to consider the impact on the wider landscape of SEM.
Report 1: 17/02/2022
Following a very productive first meeting of the joint leadership group of the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine and the British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine, we are pleased to bring our memberships this update.
The Leadership teams of both FSEM (UK) and BASEM are committed to maintaining the close and productive working relationship we have enjoyed over the last 15 years and to continue to develop it. We have, however, listened to sections of our memberships who have repeatedly expressed support for the vision of establishing a united organisation with the aspiration of becoming a multi-disciplinary College of Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine.
The scope of our meeting, therefore, was to consider the strategic and operational implications of dissolution of both organisations and re-formation together as a joint organisation/ College. We are grateful to the members who responded to the call to let us know their views and concerns prior to the first meeting.
Broadly, we agreed, there are two potential options for our future relationship.
1. Commit to remaining as separate organisations, with continuing close working relationships but freedom to explore, and engage in, other strategic partnerships.
Or
2. Dissolve both organisations, re-forming together as a joint organisation with an aspiration to become a multi-disciplinary College of Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine with the influence to and capability of achieving a Royal Charter.
It was accepted that each option comes with risks and benefits to both organisations. It was also accepted that a degree of compromise would be necessary for both organisations should we decide to proceed with option 2.
We agreed that we are committed to a full exploration of both options with a view to presenting the detail of each option to our respective memberships for debate and ultimate vote by Spring 2023. The terms of the vote will reflect the operational policies of both organisations (Standing Orders of the FSEM (UK). Memorandum & Articles of the Association for BASEM).
We agreed to form working parties to discuss, explore and report on the following:
1. The advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and implications of dissolving both organisations, re-forming together as a joint organisation with an aspiration to become a College of Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine.
This report will include clarity on proposals for:
- Membership/fellowship structure and fees which is inclusive to all members, respects the history of both organisations and recognise the value of additional qualifications, membership examinations and diploma
- Future relationship with the RCPL and RCSEd especially in relation to specialist training
- Legalities in relation to transfer of funds and assets of both organisations to a joint organisation/ College
- Geographical location and roles of current staff with the starting point that we aim for all staff to be retained across the new and existing job roles within the new organisational structure.
- Proposed Organisational structure for the new charity with new operational standards and governance.
- Financial projection of likely costs in forming a joint organisation/ College.
2. A report outlining the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and implications of remaining as separate organisations, with close working relationships but freedom to explore, and engage in, other strategic partnerships.
Next Steps
March 2022: Formation of working groups
April – October 2022: Working group meetings and reports to leadership group
November – February 2023: Publication of final report and feedback/debate forums
Spring 2023: Membership vote
FSEM (UK) and BASEM will nominate representatives of both organisations to lead and chair working groups to explore option 1 and 2. A joint leadership team will oversee these workstreams consisting of, from BASEM; Eleanor Tillett (Chair), Robin Chatterjee (Secretary) and Lynda Phillips (CEO) and from the FSEM (UK); Natasha Jones (President), John Etherington (Immediate Past President) and Kirsty Baird (Head of FSEM (UK)). We are calling for members of both organisations to express their interest in engaging in these work streams.
Register Your Interest
Members may register their interest via this link.
If you have any queries or would like to get in contact regarding this Joint Statement please contact Head of FSEM (UK) k.baird@fsem.ac.uk or CEO of BASEM lynda.phillips@basem.co.uk
Dr Natasha Jones
President
Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine
Dr Eleanor Tillett
Chair
British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine