What seems a long, long time ago, an overwhelming majority of the membership requested that the British Association for Emergency Medicine (BAEM) and the Faculty merge. At last this has happened with the granting of a Royal Charter.

A great deal of has happened over the past 5 years. The numbers of members has doubled, the specialty has changed its name, and the profile of emergency medicine (EM) has increased hugely. Equally the challenges have grown with Modernising Medical Careers, recertification of specialist practice and the seemingly constant battle with some policies. There is a real need for a strong united voice for EM. This supplement outlines the work of the College and BAEM over the past 3 years and describes how the new, merged College will function.

The College seeks to be open, inclusive and democratic and these values underpin the new structures and the way the College will work.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE COLLEGE?

The central objective is to improve the standard of care for patients with emergency health needs. Some of us can still remember times without EM consultants and the problems of lack of training, supervision and leadership in emergency departments (EDs). Emergency medicine has brought very significant health gains but much more can be done.

The delivery of excellent emergency care requires a well educated and well trained workforce. It needs doctors who are motivated and have appropriate facilities and equipment. Other parts of the emergency care system need to work with the ED. These requirements dictate the main work of the College in training, education, continuing professional development (CPD), professional and service standards and clinical effectiveness. All this needs to be underpinned by clinical, operational and educational research.