BAUS 2017 Glasgow

On behalf of BAUS Council I am delighted to welcome you to the 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting. In response to feedback we had from delegates following BAUS 2016 and the EAU meeting in London this March, we have changed the format and duration of the meeting, ensuring that it has a distinct feel, reflecting the best of British Urology.

The continuing challenge for all of us working in the NHS is to deliver high-quality care within available resources while embracing the latest evidence informing clinical practice and these issues are key elements of the meeting. While much of our clinical practice is of a high quality, analysis of the work done by the Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) team has demonstrated a wide variation in practice for many common conditions in urology. Simon Harrison who leads the GIRFT team is giving an update on the progress of the work in a session looking at how standards can be applied in the real world. 

For the first time at our meeting there is a session entitled "When things aren’t going right". This session will focus on the impact of adverse events and burnout on urologists, which promises to be insightful and thought provoking. On a lighter note, this year sees the return of University Challenge - a team of consultants takes on a team of trainees, hosted by the inimitable Professor Roger Kirby (pictured middle right). 

The Academic Urology, Andrology (AGUS) and Female (FNUU) Sections are holding their annual meetings on Monday 26 June. There are joint sessions between Andrology (AGUS) and Female (FNUU) sections and between Academic Urology and Oncology sections on Monday afternoon. On Wednesday morning there is a joint session between Oncology and Endourology sections.

The programme of Teaching Courses has also been revised this year with the programme committee’s decision taken to rest the Skills Courses. With the meeting running over three days, we wanted to ensure delegates (including Course Faculty) could maximize their time in Glasgow and attend as many of the excellent main plenary and parallel sessions as possible. If you do plan to attend a Teaching Course, please see the registration desk for availability.

The main social event of the meeting is a drinks reception held on Monday 26 June, 1830 at Glasgow City Chambers (pictured right). This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues. For ticket availability, please see the registration desk.

Our thanks go to our colleagues from the pharmaceutical and equipment companies for continuing their very generous support of the Association’s educational activities, including meetings run by the Sections and courses run by the Education Committee. I hope you will show your appreciation by visiting their stands in the Medical and Trade Exhibition during the week. We have scheduled times into the programme to allow you to visit the exhibition hall.

In closing I would like to thank Duncan Summerton (Honorary Secretary) and Paul Jones (Honorary Secretary Elect) for leading the development of an exceptional and highly relevant meeting programme. Our thanks also go to members of the Programme Committee and Section Executive Committees for their hard work in putting together excellent sessions, to our Abstract Reviewers for reading and marking all the submitted abstracts, and to Hannah Doyle (Events Manager) and Harry Heald (Events Co-ordinator) in BAUS Office for the enormous amount of work they have put into planning this meeting.

Packed with stylish bars and restaurants, fantastic museums and attractions, Glasgow has evolved over the last couple of decades to become one of the country’s most intriguing cities to visit ...