SAM would like to invite members to apply for the SAM Outstanding Contribution Award 2012. The award has been created to recognise an outstanding contribution made by an individual to the principles or practice of Acute Medicine, on a local, national or international scale. It is open to all SAM members who are:

• Medical trainees in Acute Medicine;
• Nurses working in the AMU environment;
• Allied health professionals working in the AMU environment.

If you are interested in applying or know someone else who should apply please click here for further information. The closing date is 24th August 2012.

Most hospitals in the UK have an Acute Medical Unit (AMU), providing high quality, multi-professional care for patients admitted to hospital as emergencies. Those of us who work in the speciality can see the benefits which the AMU and its hardworking staff can provide to patients on a daily basis. However beyond our walls, there is often a poor understanding of the concept of acute medicine.  The Society wants to raise awareness of our specialty, so that, in the future the term ‘acute medicine’ will be as familiar to patients and NHS staff as any other aspect of hospital care.

As a step towards this goal, the Society is proud to announce the launch of Acute Medicine Awareness Day on the 20^th June 2012.

In addition to raising awareness of the speciality we believe this will be a great opportunity for AMUs to raise charity funds for the unit, which can be used for equipment, training and other educational activities.