Advisory Panel
The NASGP is the only independent lobbying and information service for Sessional GPs - locums, salaried and retainer GPs.

Advisory Panel members	Mike Uprichard Bashir Qureshi Peter Taylor Judith Harvey Tony Webster Carole Kelly Keith Pollock Nancy Murray Aymen Oomi Stephanie Franz John Pike
RCGP Observer	Jean Ker
General Manager	Emma Argent
Chief Executive Officer/Webmaster/Editor	Richard Fieldhouse

At our final council meeting in February 2009, NASGP council members worded and signed the following resolution:

"The NASGP council resolves, in order to create a more streamlined management structure, that the directors, except for Dr Richard Fieldhouse, resign their posts in order to create a single member company.

It is understood that this will allow the remaining director to change the memorandum and articles of association as necessary, whilst retaining the agreed aims and objectives of the organisation."

This is currently underway (albeit after legal advice, a 2nd director is being appointed - Mrs Emma Argent (NASGP business manager since 2001). As soon as NASGP funds allow - through a combination of streamlining our structure and increased marketing (hope you've noticed!) to gain more members - we plan as soon as practicable to instigate a representative structure. This is planned to be based more closely on our network of 80+ Sessional GP groups, where groups with a certain number/ratio of NASGP members can democratically elect their group's leaders to become NASGP council members. Work has already begun on restructuring the NASGP database to allow for this, and significant changes to NASGP's 'Memorandum and Articles' will allow for a much smarter and democratic representation of Sessional GP members.
 

This is the article by outgoing NASGP Chairman Dr Mike Uprichard published in the February/March edition of The Sessional GP:

The year commenced with significant changes and developments to the operational structure of the NASGP. For some time now it had been felt by members of Council that the regulations under which the company had been set up were inappropriate to its effective day to day operation and altogether too cumbersome for this type of organisation. Dr Peter Taylor began a long review including legal, financial and business advice; the outcome was that piecemeal changes to our legal structure were considered inadequate and that a more efficient structure should be instituted. Council therefore, decided to stand down, save for the current CEO Dr Richard Fieldhouse who will remain as sole director, and a resolution was passed unanimously to this effect at our council meeting on 7 January 2009.

Other exciting developments were discussed and endorsed at the meeting, which will interlink with this move as part of the overall new business plan. The most significant of these will involve more directly Sessional GP Groups nationally, which we hope will strengthen the voice of the organisation and give greater impetus to visibly meeting the needs of SGPs. A draft plan and pilot proposal has already been developed and I’m sure Richard will be in contact on this matter soon.

Finally, I should like to emphasise that, whilst Council has not found these decisions easy to take, our paramount concern has been the continuation of the organisation as an important representative of your interests on the national medico political front. We all support Dr Fieldhouse’s ongoing endeavours in this regard and thank him and the business manager Mrs Emma Argent for their continuing service well over and above that required of them. The retiring Council members have offered their services as an advisory panel for the time being should he require these.

I wish the organisation well in 2009.
 

Michael Uprichard
Outgoing Chairman of Council