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Scientific programme Annual Congress 2026

CPD and eventsEducation & eventsAnnual Congress 2026Scientific programme Annual Congress 2026

Day 1 - Wednesday 16 September 2026

TIME PROGRAMME ITEM
08:30-09:45

Registration (Exhibition Hall) / tea and coffee / exhibition 
09:45-10:15

Stream A (Hall 1A)

W1a: Opening ceremony, welcome and introduction to Annual Congress

Welcome and introduction to Annual Congress
Dr Tim Meek, President, Association of Anaesthetists
10:15-11:00

Stream A (Hall 1A)

W2a: Keynote
Chair: Dr Tim Meek, President, Association of Anaesthetists

Beyond net zero: building climate resilient anaesthesia
Dr Vivian Ip, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
11:00-11:40

Tea and coffee, exhibition and ePosters
11:40-13:10

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C 

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

W4a: 10 Minutes to convince
Chair: TBC

W4b: Procurement
Chair: TBC

W4c: Blood management
Chair: TBC

W4d: Industry session
Chair: TBC

(11:40 - 11:50) Most audits are pointless
Dr Carolyn Johnston, London

(11:50 - 12:00) Anaesthetists should stop on calls at 50
Dr Seema Agarwal, Manchester

(12:00 - 12:10) ERAS protocols are not the enemy of critical thinking

(12:10 - 12:20) Sedation doesn't always need an anaesthetist

(12:20 - 12:30) DOA monitoring is mostly theatre


(12:30 - 13:10) Discussion

(11:40 - 12:00) Quantitative neuromuscular monitoring - lag between guidelines and practice
Dr Jennie Hunter, Liverpool

(12:00 - 12:20) Universal VL - How it was done in Cardiff
Dr Catrin Maidment, Carfiff

(12:20 - 12:40) Top tips on how to influence procurement
Ms Pia Larsen and Dr David Hutchinson, London

(12:40- 13:10) Discussion

(11:40 - 12:00) Sickle cell for anaesthesia

(12:00 - 12:20) Gene therapy

(12:20 - 12:40) Patient interview
Dr Nandini Sadasivam + Patient Mr Patrick Adedewe

(12:40- 13:10) Discussion

(11:40- 12:00) Presentation

(12:00- 13:00) Industry showcase - check out the latest on what industry have to offer

Panel discussion

This session is organised by the Association of Anaesthetists is optional, non-sponsored, and not part of the scientific content.
13:10-14:40

Lunch / exhibition / ePosters 
14:40 - 16:10

Stream A (Hall 1A) 

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - exhibition hall)

Stream C 

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

W6a: Aintree airways - sim session
Chair: TBC

W6b: Association guidelines
Chair: TBC

W6c: Patients with diverse access needs
Chair: TBC



(14:40 - 16:10) Simulation
Dr Peter Groom, Liverpool and colleagues

A dynamic simulation session showcasing how the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre deliver cutting-edge training in emergency front of neck access (eFONA). Inspired by Formula 1 pit crew techniques and enhanced with sports psychology principles, the simulation will give delegates practical insights into managing critical airway emergencies.

(14:40- 14:55) Peri-operative management of the surgical patient with diabetes*

(14:55 - 15:10) Use of sterile surgical gowns in spinal anaesthesia*

(15:10 - 15:25) Safer pre-hospital anaesthesia guideline*

(15:25 - 15:40) Pero-operative fasting in adults and children*

(15:40 - 16:10) Discussion

*Please note discussion of the above guidelines are dependent on publishing timeframes.

(14:40- 14:55) How can we improve the experience for deaf people using the NHS?
Dr Ann Harvey, Treliske

(14:55 - 15:10) Blind patients
TBC

(15:10 - 15:25) Caring for patients with cognitive and mental health needs
Dr Chloe Fairbairns

(15:25 - 15:40) A patient/carer perspective
TBC

(15:40 - 16:10) Discussion


15:45-16:30

Tea and coffee / exhibition / e-Posters 
16:30-17:50

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

W8a: Mandatory crisis training
Chair: TBC

W8b: Obstetrics (Irish Standing Committee session)
Chair: TBC

W8c: Chief technology officers / AI
Chair: TBC


(16:50 - 17:05) The future of mandatory training
TBC

(17:05 - 17:20) 
TBC

(17:20 - 17:35) CALS training for cardiac placements
Dr Pu Yew Ng, Manchester

(17:35 - 17:50) Discussion

Content coming soon

Content coming soon


Day 2 - Thursday 17 September 2026

TIME PROGRAMME ITEM
08:00-08:45

Registration (Exhibition hall) / tea and coffee / exhibition 
08:45-09:30

Stream A (Hall 1A)

T1a: Keynote: 
Chair: TBC

Closing the gender health gap – why optimising women’s health benefits everyone in society
Prof Dame Lesley Regan, government advisor
09:35 - 10:55

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C (Resident Stream) 

AoA_Resident_Drs_logo_white.png

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

T2a: Trauma team - Simulation session
Chair: TBC

T2b: Consent and ethics
Chair: TBC

T2c: Power, hierarchy and psychological safety
Chair: TBC


Content coming soon

(09:35 - 09:55) Futility decision-making in anaesthesia and critical care medicine
Dr Emma Temple, Sheffield

(09:55 - 10:15) Consent guideline
Dr Clifford Shelton, Wythenshawe

(10:15 - 10:35) Problems with propofol infusions for end of life care
Dr Thomas Donaldson, Chester

(10:35 - 10:55) Discussion

(09:35 - 09:55) The current landscape of sexual misconduct in surgery and anaesthesia
Dr Chelcie Jewitt

(09:55 - 10:15) The magnitude of the problem

(10:15 - 10:35) Practical bystander/allyship

(10:35 - 10:55) Discussion


10:55-11:40

Tea and coffee / exhibition / ePosters
11:40-13:00

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C (Resident Stream)

AoA_Resident_Drs_logo_white.png

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

T4a: Paediatrics
Chair: TBC

T4b: Anaesthesia in low income countries
Chair: TBC

T4c: Off the beaten path
Chair: TBC

T4d: 

Content coming soon

Content coming soon

(11:40 - 12:00) Experiences working abroad

(12:00 - 12:20) Designing a portfolio career

(12:20 - 12:40) Careers in industry, extreme medicine, unique hobbies

(12:40 - 13:00) Discussion


13:00-14:30

Lunch, tea, coffee, exhibition and ePosters
14:30-15:50

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Steam C (Resident stream)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

T6a: Alternative anaesthesia - Vets
Chair: TBC

T6b: Neuromuscular
Chair: TBC

T6c: Physician, heal thyself

T6d:

(14:30 - 14:50) Large animal anaesthesia
David Bardell

(14:50 - 15:10) Acute anaesthesia
Filipe Lalanda Madruga

(15:10 - 15:30) Comparative airway management
Bryony Alderson

(15:30 - 15:50) Discussion

(14:30 - 14:50) TBC

(14:50 - 15:10) Spinal cord stimulator

(15:10 - 15:30) TBC

(15:30 - 15:50) Discussion

(14:30 - 14:50) Addiction in medicine - prevalence, recognition and confidential support pathways

(14:50 - 15:10) When high performance becomes harmful - warning signs and professional consequences

(15:10 - 15:30) Practical nervous system regulation strategies for acute care clinicians
Dr Nicola Stoke

(15:30 - 15:50) Discussion


15:50-16:35

Tea and coffee / exhibition / ePosters 
16:35-17:55

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C (Resident Stream)

AoA_Resident_Drs_logo_white.png

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

T8a: Financial literacy
Chair: TBC

T8b: SAS Session
Chair: TBC

T8c: Designing a sustainable career
Chair: TBC


Content coming soon

Content coming soon

(16:35 - 16:55) Getting a consultant job and what no one tells you about your first year post-CCT

(16:55 - 17:15) Less than full time
Dr Victoria Scott-Warren, Manchester

(17:15 - 17:35) What's next after FRCA

(17:35 - 17:55) Discussion


17:55-19:00

Networking drink reception
(Included in registration fee. Not part of the scientific programme. More details here)
19:00 - 22:30

Conference dinner (more information here)

The dinner is not included in the delegate registration fee and is not part of the official conference programme. It is a fully optional, self-funded social event with no sponsorship involvement. Spaces are limited and separate booking is required.

Day 3 - Friday 18 September 2026

TIME PROGRAMME ITEM
08.00-08.30

Registration (Exhibition hall) / tea and coffee / exhibition 
08:30-09:40

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C 

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

F1a: Journal session - showcasing papers and authors
Chair: TBC

F1b: SAFE Paediatrics
Chair: TBC

F1c: Scottish Standing Committee session - Inclusivity
Chair: TBC


(08:30 - 08:50) ASA physical status

Dr David Mayhew, Liverpool

(08:50 - 09:10) Modelling TIVA vs volatile

(09:10 - 09:30) Health inequalities

(09:30 - 09:40) Discussion

Content coming soon

(08:30 - 08:50) Acculturation and social connections for International Medical Graduates
Prof Mo Al Haddad, Glasgow

(08:50 - 09:10) Inequalities - regional blocks
Dr Naomi Freeman, Edinburgh

(09:10 - 09:30) Sexism in the workplace

(09:30 - 09:40) Discussion
09:45-10:30

Stream A (Hall 1A)

F2a: Keynote
Chair: TBC

The burnout cliff in anaesthesia: and how we step back from it
Dr Richard Duggins, Author and Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

This session takes an honest look at what it really means to stay well as a doctor. Instead of quick fixes or slogans, we’ll explore the lived reality of working in modern medicine, and how burnout and the emotional labour of care can build up quietly over time. Drawing on clinical insights and work with thousands of health professionals, we’ll look at what makes the difference. This is about giving people time and permission to think clearly about their own wellbeing, and how we can look out for each other along the way.
10:30 - 11:10

Tea and coffee / exhibition / ePoster
11:10 - 12:20

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C 

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

F3a: Critical care - transfers
Chair: TBC

F3b: Conversation café

Chair: TBC

F3c: Independent session

Chair: TBC



(11:10 - 11:30) Transfers of patients with an acute brain injury
Dr Nicholas Coffin, Birmingham

(11:30 - 11:50) Training for transfers and the new ICS guideline
Dr Emma Temple, Sheffiled

(11:50- 12:10) Pre-hospital/trauma transfer medicine
Dr Ian Tyrrell, Stockport

(12:10 - 12:20) Discussion

Content coming soon

Content coming soon


12:20-13:50

Lunch /exhibition /ePosters 
13:50-15:00

Stream A (Hall 1A)

Stream B (Hall 2 N/F - Exhibition Hall)

Stream C 

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

F5a: Airways
Chair: TBC

F5b: Regional anaesthesia
Chair: TBC

F5c: Women's health
Chair: TBC


Content coming soon

(13:50 - 14:10) Awake breast surgery
Dr Sara Mistry, Wythenshawe

(14:10 - 14:30) The current and the cold: Is there evidence for emerging treatments in acute pain?
Dr Vivian Ip, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

(14:30 - 14:50) Up-date on NAP-8
Dr Sofia Da Costa Rosas, Glasgow

(14:50 - 15:00) Discussion

Content coming soon
15:00 - 15:40

Tea, coffee, exhibition and ePosters
15:40 - 16:40

Stream A (Hall 1A)

F7a: Heated debate
Chair: TBC

Content coming soon
16:40

Close of conference