Quick links
- What if I have a conflict of interest?
- What if I cannot access the group Teams Space?
- What if I am a parent or carer?
Introduction
Thank you very much for considering applying to a BAPM working group. BAPM’s work programme relies on our members and stakeholders contributing their time to come together to produce documents to improve standards of perinatal care.
We will hold regular meetings but there is also lots of work to do in between. Working group members share their ideas, undertake literature searches, write and review documents.
We will do everything we can to ensure that BAPM groups are collaborative, supportive, educational and enjoyable for members. If you need help or would like to raise a concern please contact the BAPM Office or the working group chair at any time.
How do BAPM working groups operate?
BAPM working groups are set up to deliver a project on behalf of BAPM. Most often these are to create or revise a framework for practice or a toolkit on a specific topic. The working group will be made up of volunteers from the BAPM membership as well as representatives from relevant organisations. Some group members may be personally invited because of their specific expertise but most group members should apply through the open application process.
The BAPM office will help you to develop a terms of reference which will include the members needed on the group.
Working groups usually conduct all their meetings online as this is more cost and time effective and more accessible for group members. If a face-to-face meeting is needed for a specific reason then this can be considered.
What is a BAPM Framework for Practice?
BAPM working groups are most often put together to develop frameworks for practice. Frameworks are high level documents that can be used by trusts to develop their local guidelines. Where evidence is available this will always be followed. Groups may develop recommendations through consensus and common sense in areas where evidence is lacking.
BAPM documents have a specific style. They are concise and practical, giving guidance on what people need to do. The BAPM office will provide you with examples of recent frameworks to read as examples. Please make sure the document is written in this style.
Project timelines
It is expected that frameworks and toolkits will take around 9 months to deliver (3 months to appoint the working group and 6 months to write, consult and publish). Please only apply to join a group if you think you can realistically contribute to the project in these timeframes. It is important that project groups keep to these timelines so that future BAPM projects can start on time.
We mindful that you are taking on this role on a voluntary basis. If you find that you are no longer able to contribute to the working group due to your clinical or personal commitments please discuss with the BAPM Office at the earliest opportunity.
Do I have to have to attend all the meetings?
It is not compulsory to attend every meeting (we know you are busy people) but we do expect you to stay engaged with the work. Group members will likely be asked to contribute by undertaking a literature search, writing a section of the document and/or reviewing the document drafts. If you do not have time to attend at least some of the meetings and contribute to writing and reviewing the document then please don't apply at this time, there will be plenty of other opportunities in the future.
What if I have a conflict of interest?
All working group members should read the BAPM Conflict of Interest (COI) Policy. If you think you have a conflict of interest that could affect your participation on the working group please make this known the BAPM Office and / or working group chair. COI can be raised at any time throughout the project.
What if I cannot access the group Teams Space?
Each working group will have a shared teams space to store and review documents. If you have any problems with accessing this please try the following:
- Ensure that the BAPM Office correspondence is coming from the same email that you use to log-into Teams.
- Try changing to the RCPCH Profile (click on your photo / initials and select RCPCH from the dropdown list. Don’t do this in the middle of a meeting or it may kick you out!)
- Contact the BAPM Office to let us know what problem you are experiencing.
What if I am a parent or carer?
It is really important to us to include parent / carer views when developing our documents. If you would like to attend all the working group meetings you would be very welcome. These are scheduled within working hours so we will completely understand if you are not able to attend.
If you prefer to focus your time on specific tasks then we would ideally like to hear from you at the start of the process to find out what you think the document needs to cover. We would also like you to be involved in reviewing the draft document before it goes out for consultation and before a final version is published.
It is possible that the meetings will cover topics that you find distressing. By the nature of the work there will be discussions of neonatal care, illness and deaths. Please always put your own mental health first. If you think attending a meeting or reading a document will be upsetting for you then feel free to decline and where possible we will find another way for you to input to the group.
