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Quadrinationality is the concept of recognition of the complexity of UK-wide governance systems in the context of devolution. Particularly relevant to the healthcare context, and widely used in the medico-political systems of the British Medical Association, where one uses the term "national" to refer to something relating to one's country of origin and "quadrinational" when referring to the United Kingdom. Origin The term was first coined in 2009 by Dr Dave Farren, Chair of the Northern Ireland Junior Doctors Committee of the BMA. Dr Gordon Lehany, Chair of the Scottish Juniors Doctors committee for the same session was also swift to take up and promulgate the term. Usage The majority of usage has been via the UK Junior Doctors Committee. Over the 2009-2010 session there were over 200 uses of the term on the main discussion listserver, with numerous other uses in verbal discussions at internal and external meetings and repeatedly at the BMA ARM 2010. It has also been used in printed articles, such as in meeting notes and BMA News. The concept was taken further at the 2010 BMA ARM Party, where the winning quiz team was The Quadragalaticals. The first usage in the 2010-11 session of JDC was, rather fittingly, made by Dr Dave Farren. The first mention in 2011 was by Dr Dave Farren, but quickly followed by Dr Hamish Meldrum. The first usage in the 2011-12 session of JDC was, for a change, made by Dr Dave Farren. The term has also used outside the BMA (for example by Sarah Lever, NHSE), at a meeting attended by Dr Ayesha Rahim & Dr Tom Savage. In May 2011 it was used at a meeting with representatives of the NHS Future Forum by Dr Alan Robertson and Mr Nick Deakin. The word itself became a chosen motion at the 2011 Junior Doctors Conference, as motion 133 - "That this conference believes that the BMA should write to the Oxford English Dictionary and Oxford University Press to propose the inclusion within the Dictionary of the word "quadrinational"." This was voted through successfully. Points and certification Correct usage and awareness of quadrinational issues results in award of Quadrinational Points (or QPs). It is generally accepted that these are awarded by members of Devolved Nation JDCs, although English holders of Certificates of Quadrinationality are also entitled to award points. Achievement of 200 or more QPs entitles that person to the aforementioned certificate. Malawanism The inverse of quadrinationality is "Malawanism". The derivation of this term is unknown however is felt to be derived from "malabhána", the Irish colloquial term that loosely translates as "in poor taste" or "with poor timing". Many believe that those who subscribe to the views of "Malawanism" are often behind the times and not up to date with contemporary quadrinational thinking. This is colloquially known by scholars of the subject as the "lateness of Malawanism".
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