Workshops are back for Annual Congress 2022 | Association of Anaesthetists

Workshops are back for Annual Congress 2022

Workshops are back for Annual Congress 2022

Annual Congress delegates

Annual Congress 2022 in Belfast is just over a month away. Have you booked your ticket? Don’t miss our first fully in-person scientific conference in over two years. Book today and join us at the ICC Belfast on 14-16 September 2022. Special discounts are available for Association members.

More CPD and exciting new ways to learn

We have a packed programme to mark our return to in-person education and the 90th Anniversary of the Association. Offering you more CPD than ever before and exciting ways to come together with friends and colleagues to learn and share experiences. Annual Congress 2022 promises a wide and diverse range of expert speakers, representing Ireland, UK and internationally, and lecture formats, including TED style talks, Q&As, debates, workshops, live demos and simulations.

Interactive learning

Techniques and technology within the specialty are evolving rapidly, more so since the COVID-19 pandemic. To help keep up with developments, we’ve lined up many practical workshops, demos and live simulations: you can get hands-on experience of focused echo, ECMO, regional anaesthesia, ultrasound, airways, regional blocks, and more. You can even put yourself at the centre of a critical incident with real-life live simulation.

“We’re excited to be bringing ECMO workshops to Annual Congress 2022. The use of ECMO has played a key role in H1N1 and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a specialist area with a limited number of commissioned centres and consultants, getting access to EMCO can be a challenge for anaesthetists. Delegates attending Annual Congress 2022 will be able to get hands on experience at the ECMO workshops that draw on the experiences of real patients and include clinical images, scenarios and simulation.” - Dr Mike Charlesworth, Consultant Anaesthetist and ECMO workshop faculty at Annual Congress 2022

More reasons to attend Annual Congress 2022

Destination Belfast
With its rich mix of history, culture, shopping, dining and music, plus great transport links and accommodation options, Belfast is an ideal destination for a city break. So why not stay on after Annual Congress? You can choose to stay within the city limits, or travel further afield to explore the beautiful countryside of Northern Ireland.

Discounts for members
Association members benefit from exclusive booking discounts rates: trainee members save up to £360 and full members save up to £235 on the non-member rate. For more information and to book, please visit the Annual Congress webpage.

My top five reasons for attending Annual Congress 2022

picuture of Dr Rosie Hogg

Dr Rosie Hogg
Consultant Anaesthetist, Belfast and speaker at Annual Congress 2022

1. Connection
We have all certainly had a challenging two and a half years since the Association’s last fully in person meeting in London in January 2020. While virtual education has transformed the way we learn, the need for connection, reflection and collaboration is stronger than ever. This is reflected in the diverse and inclusive programme that Annual Congress 2022 has to offer. Reflecting on the challenges of not just of the pandemic, but in our specialty and our society as a whole.

2. Keynote speakers
The variety of speakers at this year’s Congress is truly impressive and none so more than the five keynote lectures. From author and former children’s laureate Michael Rosen discussing his experience in intensive care in the first wave of the pandemic to Dr Noelle Healy, anaesthetist and five-time winner of the All-Ireland Ladies' Gaelic Football Championship with the Dublin Senior team describing how to develop teamwork and a high performance environment these are sure to be fascinating and informative. Ms Deborah Eastwood, BOA Vice-President, will be discussing the topical subject of waiting lists and how we might address this seemingly insurmountable problem. While Professor Luke O’Neill will be sharing his expertise in the immunological effects of COVID-19. And of course, no visit to Belfast would be complete without a Titanic story, this one from Dr John Martin, great nephew of the assistant surgeon on that ill fated voyage.

3. Breadth of education
There really is something for everyone, no matter what your clinical practice may be. This year is going to be different in several ways – get ready for a more collaborative experience with live, on-stage demonstrations and plenty of opportunities for audience interaction.

Parallel streams showcase a diverse range of topics and discussions: maybe consider a session that you might not have attended in previous conferences. I’m particularly looking forward to the challenges in the workplace, international relief in a crisis and advancing women’s health sessions, and of course the future of surgery after the pandemic, a particular interest of mine.

4. Workshops
Ever thought “I would really like to know how to do that” – well here is your chance. There is a huge range of practical, hands-on workshops running in parallel to the scientific programme, with national and international experts on hand to develop your skills. Choose from peri-operative point-of-care ultrasound, ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia, focused TOE, ECMO, critical incident simulation or airway videolaryngoscopy. There are also sessions on the use of social media and how to publish a paper – there really is something for everyone!

5. It’s Belfast so the craic is going to be 90
If you’ve never been to Belfast you are in for a real treat, and if you’ve been here before you’ll no doubt be itching to get back! We’ve got a unique blend of traditional and modern culture with a rich historical background and some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Take a black taxi tour to learn about the history of the Troubles, visit the Titanic Museum, Crumlin Road Gaol or St George's Market to get a real feel of the city. Alternatively just enjoy a walk around the beautiful Botanic Gardens or Stormont Estate. Make a weekend of it and visit the Giant’s Causeway, do a Game of Thrones tour or hike in the beautiful Mourne Mountains.

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