British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), established in 1996, is a national, voluntary, multi-professional organisation which represents the interests of multi-ethnic healthcare workers and is the largest organisation of its kind in the UK. BAPIO is committed to supporting the NHS in providing best patient care through professional excellence, leadership, research, education and training for a multi-skilled workforce.

General Paediatrics, by itself is a varied and dynamic specialty. Many find Paediatricians are friendly and approachable. We play a key role in the NHS having the chance to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of children, young people and the newborn.It is one of the largest groups with diverse practitioners. Diversity within our coherent paediatric workforce has made it possible to deliver a sustainable high quality paediatric service for the NHS. it is only appropriate that there is a forum for Paediatrician’s within the remit of wider organisation to facilitate the development and representation of this group approach, feeding into the health strategy and policy making of BAPIO.

Following are the terms for reference adopted by the Paediatric executive which consisted of a group of Paediatricians and Paediatric trainees proposed by BAPIO central executive.

• Engagement with national and international child health fora with the aim of promoting and contributing to excellence in paediatrics and Child Health.
• Raise Awareness and find Solutions to issues pertaining to equality, diversity and inclusion of BAME and IMG’s (International medical graduates) paediatricians.
• Promote and Support Inclusive Leadership amongst the membership especially in the context of gap in BAME representation within NHS. The forum will support by assisting encouragement in College work, Examinations and Excellence Awards etc.
• To support and mentor Paediatric trainees
• To Support SAS Paediatricians
• Promote Academic and Research interests
• Engage with medical students:Promote child health as a career and assist with opportunities in research, public health, volunteering within and outside UK.
• Collaborative work with Community Child Health, Public Health, Primary care & School with objective of promoting Child Health.

Forums will be open to all BAPIO Paediatric members and Paediatric trainees.

SAS & Non training grade doctors

The Forum shall provide opportunity for interaction, identify areas of member’s interest, share examples of best practice and formulate solutions to the barriers faced in professional and social progression.

The Forum shall plan and organise activities in pursuance of the objectives under the wider BAPIO umbrella.

The Forum shall provide representation at the BAPIO Think Tank and other events as required by the BAPIO Executive Committee.

The Forum will maintain accurate records of its activities and resources and provide regular reports to the Executive Committee of their activities and recommendations.

A conflict of interest register shall be maintained and updated annually. It remains the responsibility of the membership of the executive to keep this register updated.

All members shall respond and engage in a timely manner in all tasks agreed within the executive.

In doing so, the Forum shall ensure that all the members are treated fairly and equally and do nothing that brings the name of BAPIO into disrepute or participate in activities not endorsed by the Executive Committee.

All members shall abide by duties and behaviours as set out in good medical practice by GMC.

Forum shall actively contribute and represent child health services in BAPIO publications and conferences.

The BAPIO Executive Committee will be the delegating body and will be the final authority in all the matters relating to the functions, conduct and membership of a Forum and shall have the powers to intervene, adjudicate in any dispute or reconstitute the Forum.

The Executive Committee at the recommendation of the President shall appoint a member who will be designated as Chair of the forum and will act as a lead person. The Chair of the Forum in consultation with the President may appoint office bearers including Vice Chairs, Secretary, Joint Secretary, treasurer, advisor, social media lead or other such posts for the forum.

All such posts are honorary unless agreed with the Paediatric executive and approved by central executive. Appropriate travel expenses may be claimed in line with BAPIO guidelines.

Term of each member shall be for a period of two years which can be reduced by mutual consent at request.Paediatric forum executive can set up a task group as needed and decide its terms of reference.

The group will meet as a minimum of once every three months and use technology to aid that. Ad-hoc meetings can be called at the request of chair and general secretary with a notice period of one week unless deemed emergency. Secretary in consultation with chair shall provide an agenda to the group at the earliest possible opportunity or at least 2 days in advance.

Presence of chair/vice-chair and general secretary/joint secretary is required for any meeting to take place. At least 1/3^rd of the executive is required for any meeting to be quorate.

For all strategic decisions, an agreement by 2/3^rd of the executive is required. The group will aim to work with a collaborative and consensus-based approach.

The acting chair, in consultation with the acting secretary, shall manage the conflict of interests as appropriate and relevant members may be asked to not participate in those discussions.

All records will be confidential and available to the forum and central executive only unless pre-agreed by the executive.

The BAPIO Head office shall provide necessary secretarial and administrative support.

The BAPIO Head Office shall be responsible for ensuring that all the records of the administrative and communication details are updated to meet the requirements of the constitutional and financial reporting and for the purposes of the data governance as applicable.

Financial support shall be offered for the activities such as meetings and membership drive. In addition, the Forum is encouraged to identify additional sources of income through sponsorship in line with requirements and obligations set out by General Medical council.