The Constitution of WCTS

The Welsh Cardio-Thoracic Society (WCTS) was established in 2015.

Miss Indu Deglurkar contacted all Consultant Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons in South Wales proposing the formation of a surgical Society for Wales. A meeting was organised at the Boardroom at St Mary’s Golf & Country Club, Pencoed. Mr Nihal Kulatilake and Mr Ahmed Azzu, retired Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons from UHW, Cardiff were invited to chair the meeting. The meeting was attended by Mr Aprim Youhana, Mr Pankaj Kumar, Mr Afzal Zaidi, Miss Farah Bhatti, Mr Ira Goldsmith, Mr Dheeraj Mehta, Mr Mesbah Rahman, Mr Ainis Pirtnieks, Miss Margaret Kornaszewska and Miss Indu Deglurkar. The overwhelming need for a Surgical Reference Group was recognised by the members in order to facilitate joint working in order to deliver a timely and high standard of Cardio-Thoracic surgical treatment and care to the Welsh population. The meeting was sponsored by Vascutek.

The name of Welsh Cardiothoracic Society was adopted by the group. In order to register the term “Welsh Cardiothoracic Society”, WHSSC and the Medical Director of UHW, Cardiff vouched that the Society was formed and consisted of a group of experts providing the service in Wales.

On the 12^th of June, 2015 WCTS members met at The Rafter’s Restaurant, St Mary’s Golf and Country Club, Pencoed to discuss and agree on the constitution of the Society and its aim and objectives. Mr Ira Goldsmith was assignment with the creation of a logo. The logo he created and his proposal for the mission statement, with suggestions from the WCTS members was formally adopted. Both meetings were sponsored by Vascutek.

Elections were held in summer 2015 with Mr Nihal Kulatilake who was the returning officer. Miss Indu Deglurkar was elected as Honorary President and Mr Ira Goldsmith was elected as the Honorary Secretary and treasurer of the newly formed Welsh Cardiothoracic Society.

The Inaugural meeting of the Welsh Cardiothoracic Society was held on the 7^th of November 2015 at Hensol Castle with the Honourable Health Minister Prof Mark Drakeford as the Chief Guest.

Name: Welsh Cardio-Thoracic Society

Aim: Working together to deliver excellent care to patients requiring Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Objectives: To fulfil this aim the objectives of the society are:

To steer and shape Cardio-Thoracic services in Wales and thereby ensure the delivery of a high quality, safe, sustainable, self-sufficient and timely service to the Welsh population.

To work collaboratively and provide guidance on surgical issues to the Welsh Government, Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC), and Cardio-Thoracic networks.

To provide guidance on workforce planning and professional support for members.

To promote teaching, training, education and research.

To organise an annual meeting of the Welsh Cardiothoracic Society.

To work with similar societies and groups, exchange and share information and advice with them.

Membership

All Consultant Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons working in Wales and retired Consultants who have worked in Wales are Executive members of the Society.

Future plans are to offer allied membership to personnel involved in delivering cardiothoracic services in Wales (for example, medical staff, Anaesthetists, Intensivists, Perfusionists, nursing staff etc.).

Executive members are entitled to attend the Society meeting and the annual general meeting (AGM).

Management

The society shall be administered by a Management Committee consisting of officers and not less than two (2) members appointed by majority vote by email/ and the Annual General Meeting every 2/3 years.

The officers of the Management Committee shall be The President and The Secretary/Treasurer and such other officers the Society shall deem necessary at the AGM

The Management Committee shall meet at least twice a year.

The Management Committee shall be accountable to the members at all times.

All committee members shall be given at least seven (7) days notice of a meeting unless it is deemed an emergency meeting.

Finance

Any money obtained by the society shall be used only for the purposes of the society or the promotion of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Any bank accounts opened for the society shall be in the name of the society.

Any cheque issued shall be signed by at least two (2) nominated signatures.

The Management Committee will ensure that the group stays within the budget.

Annual General Meeting

The Welsh Cardio-Thoracic Society shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) at not more than 15 months intervals and shall coincide with the main Annual Meeting.

The business of the AGM shall include:

Receiving a report from The President of the Society’s activity over the year.
Alternation of the Constitution. Any changes to the constitution must be signed by the majority present at the AGM.
Dissolution. The society may be wound up at any time agreed by the Management Committee and supported by a vote of any AGM. Any assets shall be passed to another society with a similar aim.

Annual Society Meeting

The Annual Welsh Cardio-Thoracic Society Meeting shall be held at least once every year at not more than 15 months intervals.

All members are automatically entitled to attend the Annual Society meeting.

Any person who shares the society’s aim and objectives and interested in promoting the society are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting.

Registration for each meeting is essential.

Adoption of the Constitution

The constitution was adopted by the members at the AGM held on ……

Signed by:

Professor Indu Deglurkar

President

Professor Ira Goldsmith

The Honorary Secretary and Treasurer