Welcome to the

Welcome to the ACO website

The ACO is the only national body representing the views of Course Organisers in Britain and has been in existence since 1984. The first National ACO Conference was held in 1985 when it was agreed by delegates that the primary aim of ACO was educational. Since then the ACO has continued to thrive and now has 400 members nationwide. The ACO linked Journal of Education in Primary Care (published bi-monthly by Radcliffe Medical Press) continues to provide relevant and stimulating articles and resources for all Primary Care Educators.

Our main event of the year is the Annual Conference, usually held in May. Many new challenges are on the horizon for Course Organisers and for Trainers. The introduction of the GP Curriculum and the changes to the MRCGP exam will no doubt exercise our minds greatly in the coming 3 years. Applications for the conference are available from this web site. ACO conferences are an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues, recharge your batteries, get up to date information and new ideas (especially in the small group work), enjoy fine food and fine company in convivial surroundings and in general to contribute to the direction and life of the ACO. The conference fee is usually fully reimbursed by Deaneries. The venue for the conference rotates around the regions.

The ACO is meant to represent your views. Each Deanery has a Representative on the ACO Executive Committee and the ACO sends representation to other bodies. While our primary aim is educational, ACO inevitably has concerns about GP Educator pay and conditions which blend into the political arena. We are keen to forge better links with NAPCE, UKCEA and RCGP. If you have views about anything which affects Course Organising we want to hear them.

We also want to set up a resource section on the website so if you have anything that you think other COs would benefit from you can post it on this site.

Best Wishes,

Dr Roger Burns

Chair of the