Annual Meeting 2009 - Belfast Report
53rd Annual Scientific Meeting
June 24 - 27, 2009
The 53rd Annual Scientific meeting at Queen's University,
Belfast, Northern Ireland, June 24 -27th 2009, was hosted by the
Belfast organising team headed by Mr. Stephen Brown and including
Tabib Dabir (geneticist), David Marshall and Alan Bailie
(Paediatric Urologists), John McCann (Rehabilitation medicine),
Emma Kelly (nurse), Nan Hill (Paediatrician) and Marie McGonnell.
The meeting started with a Welcome Reception at the Malone Lodge
Hotel when the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long,
welcomed the group to the city and reminded members that the
Society had last met in Belfast in 1987.
The Scientific meeting was opened in the Peter Froggatt Conference
centre, Queens University, on June 25th by Dr. Michael McBride,
N.I. Department of Health. The morning began with an oral session
on Spina Bifida: Incidence, Survival and Cognitive Outcome,
followed by a lecture by retiring President Professor Raymond
Fitzgerald (Dublin) on 'Here and there with Hydrocephalus' in which
he related his personal experiences and gave an overview of the
history of hydrocephalus treatment. This was followed by papers
from delegates on hydrocephalus. The Society's outing began
with lunch in the historic Belfast Titanic Quarter followed by a
guided tour of the area which included the Pump House and Thompson
Graving Dock where the White Star Line R.M.S. Titanic was fitted
out. Next was a visit to the impressive Northern Ireland
Parliament Buildings at Stormont Castle and a tour of the assembly
chambers followed by an evening reception and buffet with
traditional Irish music for entertainment and a good time was had
by all. While the accompanying persons were enjoying a trip
to the Giant's Causeway, the scientific sessions on June 26th began
with papers on experimental animal studies followed by a series of
papers on Hydrocephalus Shunts. At the same time, there was a
parallel break-out session on the Management of Spina Bifida
Patients for nurses and therapists organised by Emma Kelley.
After lunch, Mr. Neil Buxton (Dept of Neurosurgery, Royal Liverpool
Hospital Alder Hey, Liverpool UK) delivered his invited lecture by
on 'Pain Management in Spina Bifida: a Neurosurgical Perspective'
which was followed by a selection of papers on the Long-term
Management of Spina Bifida Patients. The day ended with a poster
discussion session when poster presenters summarised their posters
and answered questions. The annual dinner in the Great Hall at
Queens was preceded by a reception in the Norton art gallery when
delegates and guests enjoyed the University art collection. At the
dinner, retiring President Professor Raymond Fitzgerald, handed
over to incoming President Dr. Roger Bayston. Grateful thanks were
expressed to the meeting organisers, and especially to Stephen
Brown for the hard work and organisation involved in making 2009 a
very successful Annual Meeting. The following morning the
scientific session started with papers on Urology and Bowel
Management in Spina Bifida and included a special lecture by
Professor Sivert Lindström (University of Linköping. Sweden) on The
Bladder Cooling Test in Spina Bifida and ended with a general
discussion on urological and bowel problems. The
presentations in the final session of the meeting covered a variety
of topics in Spina Bifida. The meeting ended with closing
remarks from Stephen Brown and Roger Bayston and a presentation
from William Arnold inviting the delegates to the next meeting in
Vancouver in 2010.
This year for the first time for a number of years, the topics
presented were equally spread between hydrocephalus and spina
bifida. The overall standard of presentations was very good. A good
time was had by all and the sun actually shone in Northern
Ireland.
Hazel C. Jones, Honorary Secretary
