Objectives | Executive | Publications - Application for Fellowship and Training Centre Recognition
Structure of the EUMS | The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section of the EUMS
The European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (EBGH) | Links | EBGH Membership

Vision
To serve patients throughout Europe by developing, supporting and encouraging doctors of the highest quality in the specialty of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Purpose
To achieve the delivery of high quality patient care by promoting and harmonising high standards for medical practice and postgraduate education, and thus clinical excellence.

Key Objectives
a. Encouraging high professional standards and ethics
b. Encouraging high standards in clinical practice
c. Supporting gastroenterologists and hepatologists through CPD/CME, education and training of postgraduates
d. To assess whether Gastroenterology and Hepatology Units throughout Europe provide training of sufficient merit and standard to be recognised as a ‘European Training Centre in Gastroenterology and Hepatology’ and to encourage Gastroenterology and Hepatology Units to reach this standard
e. To award the Fellowship of the European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology to suitably qualified gastroenterologists and to encourage applicants for this Fellowship
f. To obtain an overview of manpower needs and requirements throughout Europe in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and to encourage trans-national training and working
g. Engaging with other Sections and Boards in the UEMS as well as the UEMS Secretariat and Council to provide leadership on issues important to patients, particularly those relating to gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition
h. Improving our efficiency and governance as an organisation in a way that allows continuity and security for the future.
i. Ensuring the financial resources to achieve these objectives

The current Executive and Officers of the European Board and Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology are:

European Union of Medical Specialists - publications

* Application for Diploma and Fellowship of European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Word Document, 113k))
* The Blue Book 2009 (PDF, 313k)

Structure of the EUMS
The European Union of Medical Specialists (EUMS) (en francais L’Union Européenne des Médecins Specialistes - UEMS) was founded in 1958, one year after the European Economic Community (EEC).  It is the official representative body of all Medical Specialists to the European Commission.  The EUMS is composed of working medical specialists who are delegated by the professional bodies of their own countries.  The organization consists of an Executive Committee and 37 specialist sections, one for every specialty recognized in at least one-third of the member countries.  Some specialties, who are not entitled to create their own Section, are associated with another specialty Section.  The EUMS has contacts with the European Commission, the Advisory Committee for Medical Training and the Permanent Committee.
The EUMS has no funding from the EU and relies on the receipt of fees from the professional bodies of its member countries.

The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section of the EUMS
This is composed of two delegates from each of the 30 EUMS member countries (the 27 EU-countries plus, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) and a representative from the Junior Doctors Organization (PWG).  The delegates are appointed by the National Medical Associations.  Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, Israel and Turkey are associated countries. Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia and Ukraine are observer countries.  Two organizations, associated with Gastroenterology and Hepatology, are represented by observers (European Association for the Study of the Liver and Association des Sociétiés Nationales Europeéannes et Méditerranéennes de Gastroentérologie).

The European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (EBGH)
The European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology was founded in 1992 as a working party, composed of maximum two delegates per country, one from the Section and one from the national Gastroenterology abd Hepatology Society.  The two delegates from each country are selected to provide a balance between pure clinicians and academics.

The EBGH has the following working sub-committees: the Training and Recognition Committee, the CME Committee and the Manpower and Public Affairs Committee.  CME assessment is carried out by an EBGH-UEGF (United European Gastroenterology Federation) CME Evaluation Committee.

The routine business of the Section and EBGH is carried out by an Executive Committee, composed of the President of the Section, the President of the Board, the Secretary General and the Treasurer.  The Section and the Board meet twice a year – in the spring and at the annual UEGW meeting.