As November draws to an end, we are looking back on our fantastic Emergency and General Surgery Symposium. With the largest in-person and online attendance we have ever had, our outgoing Director of EGS, Sonia Lockwood brought together a fantastic program focused on preventing complications from emergency surgery.
We enjoyed talks on the effects of complications on the surgeon and the second victim syndrome which many of us may have experienced. We also learnt the importance of surgical handover and how some of our patients are handed over more than 10 times!
A very engaging NELA session followed, moderated by the new Chair of NELA, Lyndsay Pearce. We listened to presentations about the importance of NoLAP, the best ways we can care for our emergency laparotomy patients and how Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) can improve our outcomes.
Congratulations to Josie Walshaw who was the winner of our very competitive short oral paper session, with her presentation on the SBOAction study. We then heard about the Emergency Laparotomy Closure Bundle from the wonderful Ana González from Barcelona, and from Jon Lund on how we can ensure excellence in training in EGS.
Hilary Brewer shared her Averil Mansfield Fellowship experiences and we congratulated Kellie Bateman on being awarded the Averil Mansfield Fellowship for 2024-25. Following this, we were rapt as we listened to the wise words, reflections, and pearls of wisdom from a life’s work in general surgery from our very own Past-President, Professor Iain Anderson. I have to admit that I welled up during his talk, especially as he has had such a profound influence on my career and it was truly wonderful to be able to hear from him.
Finally, I wish to thank everyone who came to my Inauguration Dinner at the Manchester Art Gallery. We were surrounded by original Lowry’s during the drinks reception and enjoyed a lovely dinner surrounded by friends, colleagues and mentors from all stages of my career. It was such a celebration of everything that the ASGBI embodies - collaboration, inclusivity and friendship.
I look forward to serving you as your new President.
