 The scientific programme was opened by Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England, and author of the report with which the meeting shares its name, who addressed the question ‘Is it still a First Class Service?’ This was followed by a motivational session exploring the themes of leadership and teamwork by the leader of the 2006 British Army West Ridge of Everest expedition, who recounted the challenges and the team’s findings on the effects of altitude and nutrition.
International contributions came from Dr John Clarke (Philadelphia) sharing lessons from the Pennsylvania ‘Near Miss’ Programme in the USA and Professor Ken Boffard (Johannesburg), the Association’s BJS Travelling Fellow, reporting on the UK approach to Emergency General Surgery and Trauma. Dr Edward M Copeland III, the current President of the American College of Surgeons, delivered the Helen Rollason Lecture on ‘The Multidisciplinary Management of Rectal Cancer’.
The meeting was widely judged an all round success, with a stimulating mix of scientific and political sessions and a varied trade exhibition with several innovative features including an embedded lecture theatre, mobile simulation unit and lifestyle exhibits.
|
An undoubted highlight of the meeting was the ‘Hot Topic’ debate on MTAS and MMC. Presentations from Mr Bernie Ribeiro (President, the Royal College of Surgeons of England), Mr Conor Marron (President, the Association of Surgeons in Training) and Mr Stan Silverman (Birmingham) stimulated a predictably lively debate which continued into the evening at a Drinks Reception hosted by the Corporate Patrons. 
In all, 607 short papers were presented at the meeting in both oral and poster format. The Association’s President, Professor Brian Rowlands, explained that the meeting had achieved its aim of being pan-surgical and multi-disciplinary with the introduction of sessions “built around ‘themes’ rather than ‘specialist interest’ in an effort to facilitate cross fertilization of ideas across traditional boundaries”. 
At the Annual Dinner in Manchester Town Hall the Association was delighted to welcome a number of international guests, including Dr Ted Copeland III (President, American College of Surgeons) and Mr Philip Truskett (President, General Surgeons Australia). During the evening, the Association was pleased to confer the status of Designated Society on the Association of Surgeons of South Africa, represented by Professor Ken Boffard (Johannesburg) and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, received by Dr David Whittaker (President, AAGBI). 