international
New resources
Vicky Lavy has published a new booklet offering guidance for those considering short-term medical visits. Short-Term Medical Work: Good practice guidelines for short visits and mission teams aims to help doctors think through the issues involved and avoid the pitfalls, as well as giving advice on good medical practice in low-income settings. The booklet can be purchased via the CMF website, price £2.00. Preparing for Change is a brief document helping doctors navigate the transitions to and from abroad. It's accompanied by a list of resources and both are available on the website: cmf.li
International Facebook group
The CMF International Facebook group was created in November 2012 and currently has just over 280 members. Here is a great opportunity to make connections and build relationships among thoseconsidering working abroad and those already working abroad. It allows members to post questions about organising electives. Those working in resource-poor countries can seek advice on treatment for difficult cases. The growth of this group and the engagement of CMF members is a really encouraging example of the benefits of social media. To join the group go to on.fb.me
ICMDA World Congress
The 15th ICMDA World Congress is scheduled for 19-26 July 2014 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The congress hopes to attract attendance from every ICMDA member country. Well worth attending but if not please consider contributing to the bursary fund to assist people from resource-poor countries to attend. More information at www.icmda2014.org
Vicky Lavy, CMF Head of International MinistriesChange of location
Paul St John (London) to Zambia
Miss Irene West to North Africa
Roy Jones (Sheffield) from Chad
Obituaries
Greta Hague (q Cambridge 1943) Served first in China as the superintendent of the CMS Way of Life Hospital, Guilin, and later in Hong Kong and retained her interest in missions throughout her long life. CMF notified 26 February 2013.
Archie McIntyre CBE, FRCPE (q Edinburgh 1950) Worked in Sierra Leone for twelve years as a colonial medical officer. Principal Medical Officer for Communicable Diseases and Environmental Health at the Scottish Home and Health Department (SHHD). Died 5 May 2012. CMF notified 30 April 2013.
Dominic Beer (q Guy's 1984) died 19 April 2013. Consultant psychiatrist, founder-member of NAPICU, challenging behaviour expert, cricketer, author and a great servant of CMF. A full-page tribute is published in the Summer 2013 issue of Triple Helix.
Richard Sears (q Cambridge 1948). CMF informed 17 June 2013.
Janet Robertson (q Glasgow 1985). GP based in Moffat, Dumfriesshire. CMF informed 14 April 2013.
Regional CMF meetings
See www.cmf.org.uk/fellowship for information about local groups .
MA in Bioethics and Medical Law
Apply now for the MA programme in Bioethics and Medical Law at St Mary's University College, Twickenham. Open to part-time or full-time students, onsite or by distance learning. The course, from which many CMF members have graduated over the past eight years, gives a thorough grounding in ethical theories applied to bioethical dilemmas from within a Judaeo-Christian and Hippocratic framework though exploring many other perspectives. Students complete five taught modules and a 15,000 word dissertation for the full MA over one to three years. Full details at bit.ly
Finance matters
There was an overall deficit for 2012 of £109,661. The comparative figure from 2011 was a surplus of £19,684. The result for 2012 was £41,000 better than we had budgeted reflecting income of £145,000 lower than budget and costs which were £186,000 below budget. The £165,000 donated to the Development Fund in 2012 deserves particular focus and thanksgiving. Overall this is a satisfactory result given the general economic situation, and provides a good platform for 2013. By the year end the total mortgage and other loans liability had reduced from £521,065 to £486,032.
New committee appointments
Peter Phillips continues as CMF Board Chairman for the second year of a three year term. Nick Land steps down as outgoing chair after four years of service. Howard Lyons continues as treasurer for another year. Andrew Tomkins passes the baton to Huw Morgan as chair of the International Committee and Jonathan Fisher takes over as chair of the International Study Group. We are still looking for a new chair of the Communications Committee.
