Treating giant pandas: an unusual advanced role for the gastroenterologist
Giant pandas are captivating animals with worldwide interest. Their distinctive colour, furriness and slow, swaggering, lifestyle may be some of the reasons why people love them (Figure 1 A-C). Fewer than 1900 pandas remain in their natural habitats according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. However, in 2016, as a major success of conservation efforts, the IUCN announced a downgrading of the protection status of the giant panda from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Vulnerable’.
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Figure 1 Giant pandas (A–C) and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (D,E).
Call for nominations – 24th ECCO IBD Intensive Course for Trainees
The annual IBD Intensive Course is a 1-day course which takes place prior to the ECCO Congress. This is an excellent educational opportunity and a prestigious event, with those who have been in the past rating this very highly.
NHS Approve Initial National Roll Out of GPwER Gastroenterology Programme
A programme to train GPs with extended roles (GPwERs) in gastroenterology has recently been approved by the NHS for a national roll out.
Sheffield consultant wins international award for irritable bowel syndrome work
Dr Imran Aziz, honorary consultant gastroenterologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and senior clinical lecturer at the University of Sheffield, was presented with the Rome Foundation Academic Fellowship in recognition of his exceptional scientific research and clinical impact in gastroenterology services.