Past and future

The New Year, or Hogmanay as it is known in these parts, is traditionally a time to reflect and to look forward in expectation of greater things to come. Our specialty has a relatively short history to reflect upon. Fifty years ago a very small number of consultants comprised the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, which published this Journal. Their training, autonomy, junior support, breadth and pattern of work would have been barely recognisable to current NHS consultants. Many of the techniques they employed would have seemed strange to us, inpatient care predominated, and sub-specialisation did not really exist.