The Society of British Neurological Surgeons was founded in 1926 and is one of the world's oldest national neurosurgical societies. There are six categories of membership; Full, Associate, Affiliated, International, Senior and Honorary. The criteria for membership are indicated in the Society's Constitution.
Aims
The purpose of the Society is the study and advancement of Neurosurgery. This is achieved through the scientific meetings of the Society, through publications arising from deliberations about aspects of Neurosurgical practice and delivery of Neurosurgical services, through fostering professional relationships amongst neurosurgeons and through engagement with the public and bodies involved in the provision of care to patients requiring Neurosurgery.
Organisation
The Officers and members of the Council of the Society, and its representatives in other bodies are elected by the votes of the full members. The Council of the Society meets four times a year and has sub-committees and working parties. The President of the Society is an invited member of the Council of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, of the Council of the Federation of Surgical Specialities of Great Britain and Ireland and of the Senate of Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland. The Society is also represented on the Specialist Advisory Committee in Neurosurgery to the Joint Committee in Higher Surgical Training and on the Intercollegiate Examination Board for the Specialist Fellowship in Neurosurgery. Links with the Department of Health are maintained through membership of the Joint Neuroscience Committee. The Society is a member organisation of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies and of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.
Current Activities
The promotion of safe and effective Neurosurgical treatment for patients throughout Great Britain and Ireland is the principal concern of the SBNS in the 21st century. Recommendations on the acquired standards for the provision of Neurosurgical services have been set out in 'Safe Neurosurgery 2000', in 'Safe Paediatric Neurosurgery 2001', and action required to support these are set out in the 'British Neurosurgical Workforce Plan 2000 - 2015'. High standards of professional practice are promoted through the Society's involvement in the education and the examination of Neurosurgeons and through its meetings and associated activities in the continual professional development of Neurosurgeons. Abstracts of papers presented to Society meetings, and other aspects of formal Society business are published on this website and in the Society's official journal, the British Journal of Neurosurgery.