Here you will find responses to some common questions
Membership
What are the benefits of joining BASHH?
BASHH is the largest and oldest association in the field of STI and HIV. For medical and paramedical workers in the field of GU medicine in the UK it is the national specialist society and by joining and supporting it you will help in the promotion of this field. As a fellow/member you will be able to stand for official positions within the association and to vote in elections. Members can register for BASHH meetings at a reduced rate and membership also includes subscription to one or two journals. BASHH members who are nurse or health advisers at band 6 or below and elect to have no journals with their subscription.
Members also have access to information contained in the private members area of the website.
How do I join?
Membership applications are taken online. Your application will be checked by the General Secretary of BASHH, then approved subject to final ratification, which will take place at the next BASHH Board meeting.
Is my membership automatic?
No. Once you have submitted your online application forms it will be processed as described above. You will be notified by the BASHH Secretariat if your application has been successful. Please note that your application will need to be considered by the BASHH Board and so there may be a delay, depending on when the next meeting is due to be held.
How do I pay my membership fee?
The membership fee is a fixed rate and we ask you to complete a direct debit mandate form to cover your subscription. The annual price will be displayed on the online application form when you select a membership category and journal subscription (if applicable). The renewal direct debit is taken on or around 1st August. The BASHH membership year runs from 1st August to 31st July.
Do I have to set up a Direct Debit?
Yes – if you are a member based in the UK. BASHH does not have the resources to process number individual cheques/credit card payments. By collecting membership subscriptions by Direct Debit, we dramatically reduce the amount of administration involved.
The exception to this is for our overseas members who do not have a UK bank account. For these members only we will accept payment by credit or debit card. For those members who have their subscriptions paid for them by an organisation or company, we would ask that you help us by setting up a personal Direct Debit and then claiming the money back. If you have any queries regarding this, please contact the Honorary Treasurer.
What happens if I join part the way through the membership year?
Policy change as of 1st August 2021: If you join in the first 6 months of the BASHH membership year (August to January) you will pay the full fixed annual price for your membership category. If you join between 1st February to 31st July, you will pay for the whole month in which you join and for the remaining months of the membership year.
Please note that regardless of the time of the calendar year of joining BASHH, you will have immediate and unlimited access to the current and previous issues of the journals of Sexually Transmitted Infections and International Journal of STD AIDS (if applicable) and BASHH members' discounted registration rates to all BASHH events, courses, and conferences.
When are subs collected?
Your first payment will be collected by direct debit (unless you are an overseas applicant) and processed through our Direct Debit payment facility. BASHH’s membership year runs from 1st August to 31st July. Subsequent year’s subscriptions will be collected by Direct Debit on or around 1st of August. You will be notified prior to the membership payment being processed.
I sent my membership application through a while ago, but I still haven't heard anything.
Your application will be checked by the General Secretary of BASHH, then approved subject to final ratification, which will take place at the next BASHH Board meeting.
Whilst awaiting final ratification we will arrange for you to start accessing the journal(s), if included in your membership, you will also be able to access any reduced membership rates at BASHH meetings, courses and conferences.
However, if your application is declined by the Board, your membership access and benefits will cease with immediate effect and you will become liable for the full cost of any reduced rates you may have paid for BASHH courses, events and conferences. This must be paid in full, within 2 calendar months.
I have been promoted to a new grade, what action should I take now?
Please inform BASHH Admin of your grade change, in writing, as soon as possible so that our records can be kept up to date. We will commence this subscription fee change from the start of the next quarter following commencement of the new post. Membership fees will be displayed on the online application form when you select a membership category and journal subscription (if applicable). The renewal direct debit is taken on 1st August.
Please note: if you do not inform BASHH Admin, in writing, of your grade change during the membership term the change occurred, you may be charged the difference between the membership rates at a later date.
I have not been receiving my journals, who should I contact?
Since January 2020, the Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections and International Journal of STD and AIDS have been accessible in electronic format only.
To access the journal[s] online. Please visit the below websites:
I have changed address, who should I contact?
Please contact the BASHH Admin, in writing, with the details of your new address and your old one.
Courses
I am interested in the Microscopy Course, how do I register?
The microscopy course is very popular and there can be a waiting list. to enquire about the waiting list please email admin@bashh.org with details of a contact address, phone number and email.
Is the Dip GUM exam included in the BASHH Course?
No. The BASHH Course in STI & HIV is the course which provides the preparation you will need in order to take the Dip GUM exam. To register for the exam you will have to contact The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries http://www.apothecaries.org/ (020) 7236 1180.
Microscopy Content
I want to access the microscopy content?
Sign up to the BSIG Micro website, please note that BASHH members have access to the BSIG Micro content as part of their membership subscription, to become a BASHH member and gain access to this and more benefits please follow this link.
Microscopy Manual
I want to order a microscopy DVD, who do I contact?
Please go to http://www.bsig-resources.org.uk/ for further information. In January 2017 a new app will be available.
Website
I want to put something on the website, who do I contact?
Please click here to obtain a website update request form. When sending files, please ensure that your content for the web is formatted exactly as you wish for it to be displayed on the site and complete the form as fully as possible.
Return the completed form to the BASHH Secretariat for approval.
How can I find a clinic in my area?
Please use the clinic search functionality on the right hand side of the website.
Our clinic details have changed, who do I contact to alter this on the website?
Please click here to obtain clinic addition/update form and forward the completed form to the BASHH Secretariat.
Events and Meetings
How to register an event?
As a BASHH member you will receive emails about our up and coming events with links to register, alternatively click on our events section of the website.
I wish to set up a teleconference for a BASHH committee
Click here (requires login) to obtain the teleconference request form and return the completed form to BASHH Secretariat. This is recommended for meetings of up to 10 people.
How do I book a meeting room?
Please click here (requires login) to download the form for booking a meeting room for a BASHH committee meeting at the RSM.
Does BASHH have a cancellation policy?
For details of the BASHH event cancellation policy please click here.
Newsletters
How do I arrange for an item to be included in the newsletter?
Please click here for the newsletter update form and return to the BASHH Secretariat once completed.