Mission Statement to Support Standing As Chair of PFS

Andrew Williams

Mission statement to support standing as Chair of PFS

Background

I have always had a strong interest in functional pelvic floor problems ever since completing my MS on anal sphincter injury and repair in 2001. Subsequently I have developed a tertiary referral practice for complex pelvic floor problems and have had a keen interest in teaching on the pelvic floor especially with reference to anal and pelvic floor ultrasound scanning. Over the last 12 years I have run an anal ultrasound course during the ACPGBI annual meeting and more recently one at St Thomas’ hospital as well. Having set up the pelvic floor unit at St Thomas’ Hospital, our unit now serves the South East of the country for complex pelvic floor services, seeing in excess of 900 patients per year.

I have been heavily involved with the Pelvic Floor Society from the beginning, being part of the initial group forming the society. I am at present honorary treasurer, and as such have established a firm financial footing from which we can now expand with the resources to support further development and teaching.

Plans

If elected I would continue building on established links with the entire multidisciplinary team, being “inclusive” rather than “exclusive”. This needs to be done in close association with the ACPGBI to further strengthen the relationship with the PFS. More specifically my key areas of development would be;

1Defining a process to start accreditation of pelvic floor units around the country. Having a framework for what constitutes a unit will be vital, but much of this work has been done in writing the ACP “Resources for Coloproctology” document. The aspiration is to provide a national structure to support units and seamless patient care across the community and institutions so that inequalities between centres and regions is minimised.

2Having started to formalise anal ultrasound training we need to take the bold step of instigating a national training scheme, and accreditation for all those wishing to perform anal ultrasound. This should include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, scientists and midwives alike. This will help support many practitioners who feel vulnerable in delivering a service without professional credentials. This is not a small undertaking and will have to be done in conjunction with BMUS, RCR, CASE, ACPGBI.

3It is clear that pelvic floor services are coming to the forefront in modern medical practice. Many institutions are requesting that new consultant appointments have knowledge of pelvic floor surgery and are aiming to set up new pelvic floor units. The PFS has an opportunity to drive this and support the sensible development. This should include the establishment of national training fellowships for trainees.

It is clear that these plans are very ambitious! There is no doubt that to achieve this will take a great deal of hard work and support from the entire society. I do however believe that they are possible and that we should build on the excellent leadership and drive that we have had thus far from Tony.