It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the BSH, held for the first time in Liverpool. Building on the success of last year, the meeting opens with an Educational Programme whose theme is ‘haematology through the ages’ – not a historical perspective but a theme which will explore the spectrum of disease at different ages and highlight the challenges of the same disease in different age groups. As we are living longer and more effective treatment is available for many disorders, the outcomes of managing chronic haematological disorders are crucially dependent on the success of earlier treatment. Several sessions are designed to be interactive with case-based presentations and discussion, clinical vignettes with an expert panel to lead debate and the morphology session with the grilling of two experts, finishing with an ‘ask the audience’ session to test how good our morphology really is.
The Academic programme is supported by a distinguished array of experts from many different areas of haematology many of whom will also chair the oral communication sessions. The BJH, RCPath/Dacie and Wilkinson Bequest Plenary Lecture will be given this year by Professor Malcolm Brenner from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas on adoptive immunotherapy, Professor Frits Rosendaal will deliver the Biggs McFarlane Plenary Lecture on Venous Thrombosis and Dr Brenda Gibson, a distinguished paediatric haematologist and past president of the Society, will give the BSH Medal Lecture.
One of the objectives of the Society is to advance the knowledge and study of haematology and this it does in a very practical way by awarding grants after competitive application to both new investigators and more established researchers.Investigators are encouraged submit their work for presentation at the conference ensuring wide communication of high quality, cutting edge research. The other objective of the society is to facilitate contact between those interested in haematology and this is clearly met by the mix of those attending the meeting and the social events that take place.
Then there is Liverpool itself. Perhaps best known for being the home of the Beatles. Newly re-generated and a previous city of the European Capital of Culture Liverpool boasts world class culture, excellent hotel accommodation and wonderful dining experiences. The conference will be held in the newly developed Arena and Convention Centre situated on the waterfront. Opened in 2008 having taken 3 years and £164 million to build it is equipped with state of art facilities which will provide us with an excellent environment to make the 53rd meeting a memorable one.
I look forward to welcoming you to Liverpool in April
Dr A Thomas |
