About Membership
Quick links to sections on this page: Application for Membership
Who is eligible to join?
Any Colorectal member of the pelvic floor MDT and is currently working in the UK or Ireland and is believed to be suitably qualified by the society can apply to join as a full or associate member by paying the annual subscription fee of the ACPGBI.
Who is eligible for Full Membership?
Membership will be open to annually subscribing members of all relevant professional organisations/bodies (BSUG, UKCS, BAUS, POGP, AGIP) who are actively engaged in the management of, or the study of, patients with pelvic floor disorders. Colorectal surgeons are required to be members of the Association of Coloproctologists of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI). Applications for membership will be considered by the Executive Committee, as required. New members will be introduced at the next AGM following their successful nomination.
Who is eligible for Associate Membership?
Any students or trainee that who have an interest in pelvic floor disorders can apply for associate membership. Associate members can enjoy many of the benefits of full membership but do not have voting writes.
Benefits of Joining
Full membership allows for a discounted rate when registering for the annual general meeting and access to educational courses, online resources and training opportunities. Opting into receive our mailing list allows for regular updates from the society, information on advances in the management of pelvic floor disorders and opportunities for collaborative research.
Professional advice, support and mentoring
We want to support all our members and can provide professional advice and guidance through our members network. We provide regional & national study days that allow discussion of complex cases with colleagues and can also support established consultants through mentoring and trainees through microfellowships.
Support for Pelvic Floor Unit Accreditation
We can help guide members through the process of certification for Pelvic Floor Unit Accreditation.
Citations for Awards
The Society is keen to provide citations for members who wish to apply for national awards.
Research
Members who wish to undertake their own research can be supported with study design, peer review, patient and public Involvement (PPI) and research delivery. Alternatively, those wanting to be part of existing research and quality improvement projects are encouraged to participate.
Committee Elections
Elections for Committee Members and Officers shall be held at the Annual General Meeting. Full members can submit nominations for committee members and these should be submitted a week prior to the annual general meeting.
Other Benefits
Guidelines, enhanced patient information sheets and validated questionnaires will all be accessible through the website. The education committee will update the website about courses and any changes related subspecialty or post-graduate training which is of immense value to regional and national trainees. We aspire to offer education grants and microfellowships to trainees and established nurses, allied health professionals and clinicians. We are actively developing workshops to meet the specific needs of our members and provide discounts on education courses which are held throughout the UK. Full Members can place adverts for courses that they are organising on the website provided they are vetted by the Committee in advance.
Application for Membership
Membership will be granted based on the ability to demonstrate excellence in the delivery of specialist pelvic floor services. Members should be actively engaged in the study or management of patients with pelvic floor disorders. There is currently no subscription charge for membership of the Pelvic Floor Society outside of the requirement for members to be subscribed to their associated relevant professional organisations.
Members of the Pelvic Floor Society will be able to enjoy discounted rates to attend local and national scientific meetings organised by the society. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in the full scientific programme of the society at the yearly annual general meeting.
Membership Categories
(Subscription year runs from 1st January to 31st December)
Ordinary membership
Ordinary membership applies to medical practitioners on the specialist register; medical specialists of any discipline related to pelvic floor disorders; specialist nurses, allied healthcare professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical scientists etc.) and other non-medical healthcare professionals working in the field of pelvic floor disorders who have full membership of their own professional body; non-medical scientists holding a permanent appointment in the UK or Northern Ireland; and doctors in posts in the UK or Ireland (>1 year), all of whom have a demonstrable interest in the diagnosis and management of pelvic floor disorders.
Associate membership
Associate membership applies to students/trainees who have an interest in pelvic floor disorders. An associate member shall not have voting rights.
Senior/retired membership
Senior membership applies to those members who have retired from active clinical practice or have reached the age of seventy, whichever is earlier. He/she no longer require the benefits of Ordinary membership and may be elected by the executive at the member’s request. The senior member shall not have voting rights.
Overseas membership
Overseas membership applies to duly registered medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals residing and practising outside the UK and Northern Ireland but who have a demonstrable interest in pelvic floor disorder. Application requires provision of a curriculum vitae and description of current practice. An overseas member shall not have voting rights.
Honorary membership
At the discretion of the Executive Committee, Honorary membership may be offered to individuals who have advanced the management and treatment of pelvic floor disorders during their clinical career. An Honorary member shall not have voting rights.