Recent Updates

23rd July 2026

BSUG Chair News Letter - July 2026

Welcome from the Chair

It is a great honour to welcome you to my first newsletter as Chair of the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG).

Having been involved with BSUG for many years in a variety of committee and leadership roles, I have seen first-hand how our Society has grown into one of the leading specialist organisations in women’s pelvic floor health. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chair and thank you for your trust and support.

My vision is for BSUG to continue leading improvements in clinical care, education, research and innovation, while remaining a welcoming, inclusive and supportive professional home for every member.

Celebrating 25 Years of BSUG
This year marks a significant milestone as BSUG celebrates its 25th Anniversary as a specialist society.

To commemorate this occasion, we will be holding our 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Thursday 19th November 2026 during the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). Please save the date -- further information regarding tickets and the programme will follow shortly.

The ASM remains the highlight of our calendar, providing an outstanding opportunity to learn from leading experts, share new research, discuss evolving practice and, equally importantly, reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the UK.
ASM Registration and Programme -- book here

To help celebrate our history, we would love to receive photographs from previous BSUG meetings, conferences, training events and social occasions. Please send your photographs to aking@rcog.org.uk. We hope to share a selection during the Gala Dinner as we celebrate the people and memories that have shaped BSUG over the past quarter of a century.

Save the Dates
Please keep the following dates free:
 
Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November 2026
Annual Research Meeting (ARM) Friday 20 November 2026
Annual General Meeting (AGM) Friday 20 November 2026
Find further information here

Exec Vision for BSUG
Over the next few years, the BSUG Board will focus on delivering a clear strategy centred around our members and, ultimately, improving the care of women with pelvic floor disorders.

Our priorities include:

• Delivering the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient safety.
• Supporting education, training and lifelong professional development.
• Promoting high-quality research and encouraging innovation.
• Using digital technologies and high-quality data to improve patient care.
• Strengthening patient and public involvement in everything we do. Supporting workforce wellbeing and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Influencing national policy and advocating for women’s pelvic floor health.
• Developing stronger partnerships with the RCOG, NHS England and other national and international organisations.
• Championing the expansion of high-quality urogynaecology services within local and community settings, bringing specialist care closer to patients.

Above all, I want BSUG to remain a society that is inclusive, collaborative and supportive -- a Society where every member, regardless of career stage, feels valued and has opportunities to contribute.

Get Involved
BSUG is only as strong as the commitment and enthusiasm of its members.
Our committees are always looking for enthusiastic colleagues to bring fresh ideas, expertise and energy to the Society. Whether you are a trainee, consultant, allied health professional or researcher, there are many opportunities to contribute and help shape the future of our specialty. I encourage every member to consider standing for committee positions, joining projects or simply sharing ideas. Your involvement genuinely makes a difference.

There are many other ways to become actively involved in BSUG:

Make the most of the BSUG Database.
The BSUG Audit Database remains one of the Society’s greatest strengths. By contributing high-quality clinical data, members help benchmark outcomes, support quality improvement, inform national practice and generate valuable research. We encourage all units to use the database regularly and maximise its potential to improve patient care.

Join the Mentorship Programme
Mentorship is central to developing the next generation of urogynaecologists. Whether you are looking for guidance early in your career or have experience to share as a mentor, the BSUG Mentorship Programme provides valuable opportunities for professional development, networking and peer support.

Become a BSUG Accredited Unit
BSUG Unit Accreditation recognises excellence in delivering high-quality urogynaecology services. Accreditation demonstrates a commitment to clinical standards, governance, multidisciplinary working and continuous quality improvement. We encourage eligible units to work towards accreditation and showcase the high standard of care they provide.

Get Involved in Research
Research is fundamental to advancing our specialty and improving outcomes for women. BSUG supports collaborative research, multicentre studies, audits and quality improvement initiatives. Whether you are an experienced researcher or looking to contribute for the first time, there are opportunities for everyone to become involved and help shape the future evidence base for urogynaecology.

POPSUI Registry
The Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence (POPSUI) Registry has now been launched and represents an important milestone for urogynaecology across the NHS.

Developed following the recommendations of the Cumberlege Review, the registry supports patient safety by recording procedures, surgical devices, clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures. The registry will be rolled out nationally during 2026, and further information, training resources and implementation guidance will be circulated to members.

BSUG Board 2026
I am delighted to introduce the BSUG Board for 2026:

• Mr Azar Khunda - Chair
• Mr Ilias Giarenis - Vice-Chair / Chair-Elect
• Mr Ashish Pradhan - Honorary Treasurer
• Dr Kapilmeet Kaur - Honorary Secretary
• Mr David Iles - Chair, Training Committee
• Mr Adeeb Hassan - Chair, IT Committee
• Prof Thomas Gray - Chair, Research Committee
• Miss Ivilina Pandeva - Chair, Meetings Committee
• Miss Bhawana Purwar - Chair, Audit Database Committee
• Miss Monika Vij - Chair, Governance Committee
• Dr Hawra Badri - Chair, Associates Committee
• Dr Angie Rantell - Chair, Allied Health Professionals Committee
• Vacant - Lay Representative

I warmly congratulate every member of the Board and thank them for their willingness to serve the Society. Together, we look forward to delivering an ambitious programme over the coming years.

Finally, I would like to thank every member for your continued support of BSUG. Our Society has achieved an enormous amount over the past 25 years, and I firmly believe our greatest achievements still lie ahead.

I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the year and working together to ensure BSUG continues to lead, innovate and inspire for the benefit of our members and, most importantly, the women we care for.

Kind regards

Azar

Mr Azar Khunda

Chair, British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG)