The Bristol Medico Chirurgical Society has a wide membership of health care professionals in Bristol. It is independent of any other organisations.
The society aims to promote the exchange of views between health professionals on local health matters and to contribute to informed debate within the professions.
This illustrious Society is both ancient and up-to-date, informative and fun. It successfully crosses the divide between specialist and generalist, scientist and clinician and helps keep each abreast of innovation. Its meetings serve as an excellent introduction to topics and individuals outside the narrow spheres of daily practice, frequently uniting names with faces, new arrivals with ‘old timers’.
Meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday of each month from October to May inclusive, commencing with a glass of wine at 6.45 p.m. followed by a buffet meal at 7.15 with opportunity to chat in convivial surroundings. The lecture then starts at approximately 8.15. Most meetings are held in the excellent setting of the Kingsdown Conference Centre – part of the School of Veterinary Science. This has superb hi-tech facilities, comfortable seating and easy parking.
Each year a different President of the Society is elected, usually alternating between specialities and primary care. Each President chooses a theme for the year and arranges prestigious speakers from near and far. The diet is varied but never dull! CPD or PGEA approval is generally applicable adding an additional incentive for attending.
The Society is open to all Medical Practitioners and Medical Students as well as welcoming others with allied interests. The membership runs to approximately 300, whilst meetings attract 50 to 100 people. Meetings are open to non-members to attend, whilst the benefits of membership (for a very modest annual subscription) include monthly notification of meetings. If you need it, access to the University library is a further ‘perk’.