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HomeEducation & eventsAnnual Congress 2025Scientific programme

Day 1 - Wednesday 17 September 2025

TIME PROGRAMME ITEM
08:30-09:45

Registration (Exhibition Hall) / tea and coffee / exhibition 
09:45-10:05

Stream A (Hall C)

Opening ceremony, welcome and introduction to Annual Congress

Welcome and introduction to Annual Congress
Dr Tim Meek, President, Association of Anaesthetists
10:05-10:50

Stream A (Hall C)

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

ANTS: 20 years of evidence and practice
Prof Rhona Flin, Aberdeen

Which behaviours contribute to a safer or riskier management of an anaesthetic? The ANTS system is a skills taxonomy and behavioural rating tool for Anaesthetists' Non-Technical Skills. It was developed by a team of anaesthetists and industrial psychologists based in Scotland and in common with similar systems designed for airline pilots, it attempts to capture the core behaviours for safer anaesthesia, organised into a framework of non-technical skills. These skills complement technical skills and are required for safer and more efficient performance. The ANTS system was released in 2003 and has been adopted for training and development of anaesthetists in a number of countries, as well as being used as a research tool. This presentation will examine how anaesthetic training and research developments in the last 20 years have incorporated the ANTS tool.
10:50-11:35

Tea and coffee, exhibition and ePosters
11:35-12:55

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

10 Minutes to convince
Chair: Dr Andrea Harvey, Convenor, Scottish Standing Committee, Association of Anaesthetists

Evolving obstetrics: managing risk, embracing innovation

Different strokes for different folks
Chair: Dr Robert Self, Vice President, Association of Anaesthetists

Industry showcase

(11:35 - 11:45) Gas is a goner
Dr Alain Kalmar, Ghent University, Belgium

(11:45 - 11:55) What first: personalisation or standardisation 
Dr Kathleen Ferguson, Aberdeen

(11:55 - 12:05) Wireless SpO2 monitoring
Prof Patrice Forget, Aberdeen

(12:05 - 12:15) Prefilled syringes for all!
Dr David Whitaker, Manchester

(12:15 - 12:25) HFNO: Hot or Not?
Dr Callum Kaye, Aberdeen

(12:25 - 12:55) Discussion

(11:35 - 11:50) Re-exploration after caesarean section 
Dr Kailash Bhatia, Manchester

(11:50 - 12:05) Anaesthetising for intrauterine death 
Dr Fiona Warrick, Aberdeen

(12:05 - 12:20) Big data in obstetrics
Prof Rachel Kearns, Glasgow

(12:20 - 12:35) Introducing thromboelastography to your service
Dr Malcolm Broom, Glasgow

(12:35 - 12:55) Discussion

(11:35 - 11:55) Dyslexia challenges in training
Dr Ruth Bennet

(11:55 - 12:15) Assessing trainee challenges
Dr Fiona Drimmie

(12:15 - 12:35) Accessibility legalities and clinical placements 
Mrs Helen Clark, Aberdeen

(12:35 - 12:55) Discussion

In-exhibition learning - lecture theatre: (11:35 - 11:55) Presentation

(11:55 - 12:55) Industry showcase - check out the latest on what industry have to offer

Panel discussion:
- Dr Krish Radhakrishna, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists
- Dr Ben Fox, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists
- Nicki Dill, Chair, Barema
12:55-14:25

Lunch / exhibition / ePosters 
13:30-14:00

(Stream D, in-exhibition learning) Quality Assurance
Mr Andrew Mortimore
14:25-15:45

Stream A (Hall C) 

Stream B(Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1 C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

Optimising anaemia management 
Chair: Dr Andrew Klein, Vice President, Association of Anaesthetists

Cardiac and cardiothoracic anaesthesia (joint session with ACTACC)
Chair: Dr Hassan Zaidi, Independent Lay Trustee, Association of Anaesthetists

Career development - enhancing progression  
Chair: Dr Matt Wiles, Editor-in-Chief, Anaesthesia

Shortlisted ePoster presentations

(14:25 - 14:40) Intravenous iron before cardiac surgery - the ITACS trial
Prof Toby Richards, London

(14:40 - 14:55) Peri-operative patient blood management - a global movement
Dr Daniela Filipescu, President, WFSA

(14:55 - 15:10) Perioperative Management of Anaemia
Dr Sonya McKinlay, Glasgow

(15:10 - 15:25) Better management of anaemia in pregnancy
Dr Kerry Litchfield, Glasgow

(15:25 - 15:45) Discussion

(14:25 - 14:45) Congenital heart disease and non-cardiac surgery - what are the challenges? 
Dr Jonathan Barnes, Bristol

(14:45 - 15:05) An update on general anaesthesia for patients after heart transplant
Dr Christopher Walker,

(15:05 - 15:25) The forgotten ventricle - perioperative right ventricular dysfunction
Mr Benjamin Shelley, Glasgow

(15:25 - 15:45) Discussion

(14:25 - 14:45) The reluctant researcher
Dr Callum Kaye, Aberdeen

(14:45 - 15:05) Sustainable careers
Dr Lois Brand, Oxford

(15:05 - 15:25) Global citizenship - thinking globally and acting locally
Dr Lesley Crichton, Tayside

(15:25 - 15:45) Discussion

Shortlisted ePoster presentations
15:45-16:30

Tea and coffee / exhibition / ePosters 
16:30-17:50

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1 C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

Simulation session

Critical care pathways: from ventilation to ECMO and ICU decision-making
Chair: Dr Victoria McCormack, Honorary Secretary, Association of Anaesthetists

Doctors and managers - marriage made in heaven
Chair: Dr Matthew Davies, Immediate Past President, Association of Anaesthetists

Shortlisted ePoster presentations

Team approach to managing a catastrophic event

Discussion

(16:30 - 16:50) Mechanical ventilation: simple and advanced modes
Dr Mohamad Aly

(16:50 - 17:10) ICU admission refusal - who, what, when and why?
Dr Andrew Laurie, Aberdeen

(17:10 - 17:30) ECMO in a nutshell - when to refer
Dr Ian Scott, Aberdeen

(17:30 - 17:50) Discussion

(16:30 - 16:45) Getting started in management
Dr Myra McAdam, Glasgow

(16:45 - 17:00) Self assessment of patient safety
Dr Karl Brennan

(17:00 - 17:15) What do managers really, really want?
Ms Christine Leith

(17:15 - 17:30) Theatre efficiency
Dr Ewan Jack, Larbert

(17:30 - 17:50) Discussion

Shortlisted ePoster presentations

Day 2 - Thursday 18 September 2025

TIME PROGRAMME ITEM
08:15-08:45

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

Stream A (Hall C)

Keynote: 
Chair: Dr Emma Wain, Honorary Treasurer, Association of Anaesthetists

How to not put people to sleep
Mr Bob Keiller CBE, Business Advisor and Mr Derrick Thomson, Strategic Business Consultant and Mentor
09:35 - 10:55

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Resident Stream) (Conference Suite 1 C)

AoA_Resident_Drs_logo_white.png

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

New guidelines
Chair: Dr Helen Iliff, Editor, Anaesthesia

Modern approaches to acute pain cases
Chair: Dr Chloe Fairbairns, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists

Developments in trauma management: Scottish trauma network 
Chair: Dr Ben Hockenhull, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists

Oral presentations - original research reports

(09:35 - 09:50) Safe vascular access
Dr Andy Johnston

(09:50 - 10:05) Measurement of adult blood pressure and management of hypertension
Prof Terry McCormack, Whitby

(10:05 - 10:20) Do guidelines actually work 
Dr Peter Johnstone, Aberdeen

(10:20 - 10:35) Guidelines for the use of blood and blood products following the infected blood inquiry
Dr Lynne Anderson

(10:35 - 10:55) Discussion

(09:35 - 09:55) Acute pain management in the high opioid user
Prof Patrice Forget, Aberdeen

(09:55 - 10:15) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in peri-operative period - why aren't they being used?
Dr Caroline Thomas, Leeds

(10:15 - 10:35) How to get started on ketamine!
Dr Nicola Wetson, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells

(10:35 - 10:55) Discussion

(09:35 - 09:50) Burns update
Dr Kyle Greg, Glasgow

(09:50 - 10:05) Paediatrics update
Dr Jocelyn Erskine, Glasgow

(10:05 - 10:20) Trauma specialist interest area option
Dr Nicole Runciman, Glasgow

(10:20 - 10:35) Thromboelastogram in trauma
Dr Euan McIntosh, Glasgow

(10:35 - 10:55) Discussion

(09:35 - 11:05) Oral presentations - Audit, quality improvement and survey
10:55-11:40

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

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Resident Stream) (Conference Suite 1 C) 

AoA_Resident_Drs_logo_white.png

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

Paediatric anaesthesia for the DGH anaesthetist 
Chair: Dr Andrzej Wlaszczyk, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists

High-flow nasal oxygen
Chair: Dr Chloe Fairbairns, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists

The road Less travelled - training with a difference (with SAS)
Chair: Dr Iain Mactier, Glasgow

Annual Members' Meeting

(11:40 - 11:55) Peri-operative medicine in paediatrics
Dr Aarti Shah, Glasgow

(11:55 - 12:10) Transfer and stabilisation of the sick child
Dr Mark Worral, Glasgow

(12:10 - 12:25) Paediatric congenital heart disease in a nutshell
Dr Graeme Foggo, Glasgow

(12:25 - 12:40) Paediatric regional anaesthesia
Dr Su Ying Ong, Liverpool

(12:40 - 13:00) Discussion

(11:40 - 12:00) High-flow nasal oxygen after cardiac surgery - the NOTACS trial
Prof Andrew Klein, Cambridge

(12:00 - 12:20) Mechanisms of airway flow
Prof Tom Barnes, Greenwich

(12:20 - 12:40) HFNO and its use in your theatre
Dr Alastair McNarry, Edinburgh

(12:40 - 13:00) Discussion

(11:40 - 11:55) Should I consider research as a resident?
Dr Emma Murphy, Glasgow

(11:55 - 12:10) Working in remote and rural settings as a resident
Dr Tim Jagelman, Aberdeen

(12:10 - 12:25) Out of programme management and leadership
Dr Gary Paul, Glasgow

(12:25 - 12:40) Out of programme education
Dr Prash Kumar, Glasgow

(12:40 - 13:00) Discussion

(11:40 - 13:10) Annual Members' Meeting
13:00-14:30

Lunch / exhibition / ePosters 
14:30-15:50

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)


Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

Postcode care and neurosurgical conditions

SAS journeys and support
Chair: Ruwaida Khan


Oral presentations

(14:30 - 14:50) Spinal and cranial CSF leaks
Dr David Nesvadba, Aberdeen

(14:50 - 15:10) Mx of neurothrombotic patients - what do you need to do?
Dr Joanna Lynch, Tayside

(15:10 - 15:30) TBC

(15:30 - 15:50) Discussion

(14:30 - 14:50) Experience as an IMG from Africa and his journey to his current role
Dr Alexander Akowuah, Ghana

(14:50 - 15:10) TBC
Dr Clodagh Corrigan

(15:10 - 15:30) The role of NES for SAS doctors
Dr Lynne Meekison

(15:30 - 15:50) Discussion


(14:30- 16:00) Oral presentations - case reports, education and training
15:50-16:35

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

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Resident Stream) (Conference Suite 1 C)

AoA_Resident_Drs_logo_white.png

Stream D (In-Exhibition Learning)

Digital revolution
Chair: Dr James Brooks, Resident Doctors Committee Chair, Association of Anaesthetists

Cancer Conundrums

Debate: all anaesthetists should move to 80% less than full time. Less than full time is the new full time

Chair: Dr Ben Hockenhull, Elected Member, Association of Anaesthetists

Oral presentations - Audit, quality improvement and survey

(16:35 - 16:55) AI - Leading by example
Dr Gerald Lip

(16:55 - 17:15) AI - Key problems posed and how to overcome
Dr Joseph Alderman, Birmingham

(17:15 - 17:35) Digitalising theatres - our experience
Dr Pete Beaty

(17:35 - 17:55) Discussion

(16:35 - 16:55) Does cancer mean imminent death?
Dr Anna-Marie Tiah

(16:55 - 17:15) Cancer survivors and cancer pain
Dr Thomas Craig

(17:15 - 17:35) Anaesthetic choices for cancer-free surgery
Prof Patrice Forget, Aberdeen

(17:35 - 17:55) Discussion

Arguments for
Dr Leyla Turkoglu, Essex

Arguments against
Dr Amy Baigent

Discussion

(16:35 - 17:55) Oral presentations - original research reports
17:55 - 19:00

Complimentary drinks reception and networking

Day 3 - Friday 19 September 2025

TIME PROGRAMME ITEM
08.15-08.30

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

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1 C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

Artificial intelligence

Diabetes - new devices, drugs, and dilemmas

F1c - Transfers - practice what you preach


(08:30 - 08:45) Large language models and generative AI - the next frontier in AI-based medical devices
Dr Adam Julius, London

(08:45 - 09:00) Evaluating and reporting AI-based technologies in anaesthesia
Dr Xiaoxi Zhang, Harrow

(09:00 - 09:15) AI in healthcare at a national scale
Dr David Lowe, Glasgow

(09:15 - 09:30) Discussion

(08:30 - 08:45) Insulin pumps - what to do for elective surgery 

(08:45 - 09:00) GLP agonists - airway implications
Dr Kariem Elboghdadly, Editor, Anaesthesia News

(09:00 - 09:15) Regional anaesthesia in diabetics - should we be worried?
Dr Maria Paz Sebastian, London

(09:15 - 09:30) Discussion

(08:30 - 08:45) Scottish national EMRS service - how it works
Dr Arran Keir, Glasgow

(08:45 - 09:00) Organ donation and transfers - how it works (DCD Hearts)

(09:00 - 09:15) Transfers from the military perspective - transferrable lessons

(09:15 - 09:30) Discussion
09:30-10:15

Stream A (Hall C)

Keynote

Sleep and death, who are twin brothers
Prof James H. K. Grieve, Retired Forensic Pathologist and Senior Lecturer, Aberdeen University
10:25-11:25

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

Anaesthesia - journal session

Independent practice

Advances and debates in chronic pain



(10:25 - 10:40) Alcohol-related admissions in Scottish ICU
Dr Annemarie Docherty, Edinburgh

(10:40 - 10:55) Frailty and outcome after emergency laparotomy
Dr Angeline Price, Manchester

(10:55 - 11:10) Airway management in patients living with obesity
Dr Helen Iliff, Glamorgan

(11:10 - 11:25) Discussion

(10:25 - 10:45) Anaesthetic practice in the independent sector - up-dated guidance
Dr Craig Carroll, Salford

(10:45 - 11:00) Insights of a LLP
Dr Bill Fawcett, Surrey

(11:00 - 11:25) Panel discussion
Dr Craig Carroll, Dr Bill Fawcett, Dr Philip Barclay, Dr Andzej Wlaszczyk

(10:25 - 10:40) Spinal pain interventions - a stab in the back or injection of science
Dr Lars Williams, Glasgow

(10:40 - 10:55) Genesis of pain/predictive processing
Dr Michael Hudspith, Norwich

(10:55 - 11:10) Medical marijuana - needed to get by or just getting high?

(11:10 - 11:25) Discussion


11:25-12:00

Tea and coffee / exhibition / ePosters
12:00-13:00

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1 C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

Regional anaesthesia 

Airways - advances and updates

Working in disaster zones


(12:00 - 12:15) Update on NAP8
Prof Alan Macfarlane, Glasgow

(12:15 - 12:30) Image optimisation beyond adjusting gain
Dr Maria Paz Sebastian, London

(12:30 - 12:45) Future technology in regional anaesthesia teaching
Prof Graeme McLeod, Dundee

(12:45 - 13:00) Discussion

(12:00 - 12:15) Airway trauma
Dr Gary Rodgers, Glasgow

(12:15 - 12:30) DAS difficult airways database
Dr Alistair McNarry, Edinburgh

(12:30 - 12:45) Video larynoscopy - horses for courses
Dr Barry McGuire, Dundee

(12:45 - 13:00) Discussion

(12:00 - 12:15) Treating civilians in a war zone

(12:15 - 12:30) Avalanche
Dr Naomi Dodds

(12:30 - 12:45) Update on CBRN - what everyone needs to know
Dr Fin O'Sulivan, Glasgow

(12:45 - 13:00) Discussion
13:00-14:15

Lunch /exhibition /ePosters 
14:15-15:15

Stream A (Hall C)

Stream B (Conference Suite 1 A/B)

Stream C (Conference Suite 1 C)

Stream D (In-Exhibition Theatre)

Global anaesthesia

Patients with respiratory disease

The environment and anaesthesia

Oral and poster prize awards

(14:15 - 14:30) Update on SAFE
Dr Jolene Moore, Aberdeen

(14:30 - 14:45) Incorporating global anaesthesia into your job plan

(14:45 - 15:00) Roles and activities of WFSA
Dr Daniele Filipescu, President, WFSA

(15:00 - 15:15) Discussion

(14:15 - 14:30) Update on cystic fibrosis - what the anaesthetist needs to know
Dr Lucy Docherty, Glasgow

(14:30 - 14:45) Update on OSA management
Dr Chris Carlin, Glasgow

(14:45 - 15:00) Vaping and anaesthesia - should we be concerned?
Mr Owen Dempsey

(15:00 - 15:15) Discussion

(14:15 - 14:30) Reducing the environmental impact of using and disposing single-use plastics in healthcare
Dr Richard Hixson, Darlington

(14:30 - 14:45) Development of the green theatre checklist, and what this means for greener multidisciplinary preoperative care

(14:45 - 15:00) Forever chemicals: the hidden cost of volatile anaesthesia
Mr Alain Kalmar, Ghent University, Belgium

(15:00 - 15:15) Discussion

Oral and poster prize awards
15:15

Close of conference