News
2017/2018 Membership Renewal – message from the Chair
The Chair of the AAPT, Ishbel Gall, recaps on the last 12 months of AAPT activity and highlights much is ahead for APTs across the UK and beyond
Thank you for your continued support of the AAPT, it is through the annual subscription that we can continue to be able to represent the profession. This year, once again, we have managed to keep fees for all grades of membership at the same level as last year.
The past twelve months have been busy and Council has been working hard on your behalf in various different ways.
Maybe one of the most obvious benefits for members has been the major revamp of the website which has gone live in the past few weeks; I hope members are enjoying the new style and layout.
Since 2003 the website has been a useful way of disseminating information and the Learning Zone has proved a great introduction to Reflective Learning for APTs. Time moves apace and this new website is mobile and tablet friendly. The final part of this upgrade will be the new APT CPD Scheme which will allow members to update their CPD records via their mobile devices whilst on the move. AAPT encourages APT staff to maintain, improve and extend their knowledge, skills and practice and one way of doing this is by using the AAPT CPD scheme which is free for all members regardless of grade. Thanks to those involved in any way in this online project, I know it’s not been easy. AAPT have tried to ensure that the online CPD will be acceptable if required to provide evidence to Registration bodies.
You can also sign up to the newsletter and follow AAPT on Twitter and members are also active within the Facebook Group Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
In the past year the Modernising Scientific Careers team and AAPT have remapped the APT qualifications to fit the criteria set out by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS), in reality there is no discernible change to the qualifications but it was a fairly large piece of work.
I am pleased that the Level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology is now being run at University of Chester. The Level 5 and 6 qualifications will be introduced in the future as required. The Level 3 Diploma is proving popular and this year it welcomes its third cohorts of trainees. We are extremely grateful to those people who have given their time to become assessors for this course as their help and advice has proved invaluable to the trainees.
AAPT has continued dialogue with many agencies and stakeholders, this year we have been in contact with UKAS regarding accreditation of mortuaries and APT input so hopefully we will have more to report on this soon. As usual we have close dialogue with RSPH, RCPath, HTA and IBMS whenever the APT role is discussed. We meet again soon with the AHCS regarding registration as well as being in discussion with the Science Council regarding their awards for Chartered Scientists, Registered Scientists and Registered Science Technicians.
One of the highlights of the year is the Annual Conference which was held in Eastbourne in 2016. Each year the calibre of speaker and the professional organisation by the Conference team never fails to impress. This year the event was attended by IBMS president Ian Sturdgess CSci FIBMS who very kindly judged the poster competition. After much deliberation, such was the calibre of the entries this year, the winning poster, from Eastbourne was selected.
To tie in with the launch of the AAPT Social Media Policy at Conference in Eastbourne this year’s theme for poster entries is “Social Media Guidance”, and you have until 31st August to submit entries. Judging will take place at this year’s Conference which will be in Cardiff on 30th September. Registration for Conference is open and I would encourage members to register for the highlight of the AAPT year. The programme is being finalised and updates will be on the website shortly.
Our Treasurer announced his intention of stepping down from the role at the AGM and although sorry to see David Scott step down we are happy to welcome Deborah James to fill the breach and she will have transitioned fully into the role by this year’s AGM in Cardiff.
This year AAPT have hosted events in Coldbath Square including the 4th Mortuary Managers Day and a new event for those mentoring students on the APT Qualifications.
These days are always popular and membership offers a discounted or even free attendance depending on the event. The popular Consent Training Day is being held in April 2017 and places are already limited, such is the reputation of this training.
Once again I would like to take the opportunity to thank Council, those people seconded, and volunteered, to help with particular projects and work streams who give their time and expertise. AAPT have come a long way in their short history and as one of the small Healthcare Professions it is important we continue to move forward as a profession and embrace opportunities as they present themselves in the future.
On behalf of the Council I would like to convey my best wishes to all members for the forthcoming AAPT year and once again thank you for your support and I hope that this year we can continue to take the profession forward and work towards our common professional goals.
Best wishes
Ishbel Gall FAAPT FRSPH MIBMS
Chair of AAPT