Sarah Patton reports from Glasgow where the 2009 International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland was held from 13 to 15 May at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre

This year the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland continued the international and pan-surgical focus first introduced in 2007. Over 30 colleges, specialty associations and international societies participated in the Meeting and over 1,600 people attended over the three days, including 1,037 medical delegates. In total, 1,076 abstracts were submitted, of which 565 were presented in oral, e-poster and poster format.

The meeting’s title was ‘Delivering a Modern Surgical Service’ and the main symposia and lectures focused on generic surgical issues,with special emphasis on surgical education, training, revalidation and the impact of EWTD on the delivery of surgical service.

Mr Andrew Lansley MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, officially opened the Congress during the Corporate Patrons’ Drinks Reception. The scientific programme opened with an in-depth look at the logistics and impact of Revalidation. This was followed by Dr Mike Watson, Medical Director of NHS Education Scotland, exploring the question ‘The CCT; Holy Grail or Barrier to Excellence?’and an inspirational session from Willie John McBride MBE, the former British Lions and Irish rugby captain.

Important themes such as a ‘Bad Day On-Call’, innovations in surgical practice, organisation of trauma care, enhanced recovery and bariatric surgery were all covered in symposia and generated lively debate, as did the ‘Hot Topic’, which asked ‘Should emergency abdominal surgery be centralised (and all DGHs become NHS treatment centres?)’.

The meeting delivered an interesting and enjoyable mix of scientific and political sessions, a lively social programme, diverse industry exhibition and a number of innovative features including the inaugural lectures of the American College of Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, delivered by Dr Jack W McAninch (Vice President, ACS) and Professor Ian Gough (President, RACS), respectively, a futuristic Innovations Zone, the chance to ‘Meet the Clinical Experts’ and an inaugural gala dinner raising money for the Association’s international charitable activities.

To read a full conference report and view footage from the meeting visit: www.asgbi.org.uk/glasgow

Sarah Patton, Communications and Events Manager

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