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BSACI Annual Conference 2021
from Issue 37
Dr Georgios Gkimpas
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Consultant Allergist, Royal Preston Hospital
BSACI 2021 Meeting Scientific Program Lead
As we leave the 2021 BSACI Meeting in Harrogate behind us, we can now reflect on what has been a challenging but ultimately very successful undertaking. This Meeting was one of the first completely face-to-face conferences of a major scientific society, so we were treading on uncharted territory. However, we knew that, as we slowly return to normality after the pandemic, most people are eager to see their colleagues and friends in person, and this was indeed demonstrated by the Meeting’s success, both in the number of delegates that it attracted, and in their experience. In an environment where everybody’s safety was the main priority, we worked closely with the conference centre and delivered an event where delegates and speakers enjoyed the rich programme and the social interaction that has been missed for too long.
The 2021 Conference focused on the development and presentation of allergy throughout life, and further touched upon Transition and unified practice issues for paediatric and adult allergy. The opening plenary set the stage of what was to follow, with powerful talks by Dr Andrew Whyte discussing our COVID experience throughout this last difficult year, Professor Graham Roberts, BSACI President, detailing his view
Sandie Campbell, Fiona Rayner and Ben King of how we can establish seamless Transition practices, and Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, sharing his experience of working with and supporting Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, the coFounder of the Ella Roberta Family Foundation and mother of nine-year-old Ella who was the first person in the UK whose death certificate listed air pollution to be a contributory factor to their death. Rosamund herself closed the plenary with a powerful and moving talk about her struggles trying to navigate the system to investigate the cause of Ella’s passing, which triggered a several-minute-long standing ovation by all attendees.
This year, Allergy Education was also celebrated in a novel session that included showcasing educational projects across the UK, and an expert panel discussing their implementation. Very worthy projects were presented and discussed in this session which took place in the memory of our greatly missed colleague, Professor Tony Frew, and the top project was selected and awarded the Education Award by his wife Professor Helen Smith. Professor Krishna, TK, delivered an outstanding Jack Pepys Lecture, Dr Nandinee Patel was
Speaker’s Corner
BSACI were awarded a Business Events Domestic Support Grant for the BSACI 2021 Meeting from Visit Britain.
The exhibition hall; break out rooms and the main stage
awarded the Jonathan Brostoff Young Researcher Award and delivered a remarkable talk about her recent work, and Professor Graham Roberts was awarded the William Frankland Award. Outstanding abstract presenters were also awarded the Barry Kay Awards in a well-attended session in the main Auditorium. To see the Barry Kay winners and all accepted abstracts visit www.bsaci.org/about-
bsaci/bsaci-awards/barry-kay-awards
In this Meeting we also highlighted the importance of input from all parts of society and stakeholders: We gave a platform to the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF) to discuss updates in protecting the allergic public and the Natasha Law which very recently came in effect. There was also a research-focused session with the collaboration of the Health Research Authority (HRA) and a Joint session with BPAIIG, where Allergy, Immunology and Infection were discussed and highlighted. Following the very well-received ‘Diversity’ talks last year, this year’s meeting again underscored Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity in Healthcare, which sit at the very top of BSACI priorities. Mental health was put under the spotlight, an issue that affected not only our patients, but also ourselves, in the midst of the pandemic.
As always, the BSACI Meeting provided a platform to British and overseas speakers of international calibre who sit at the cutting edge of their respective fields, and who delivered high-quality talks for all issues around Allergy & Immunology. All facets of clinics and science were showcased with a variety of talks including asthma, food/drug/skin allergy, clinical disease, laboratory/transitional allergy & immunology and research. As was expected for a BSACI Annual Meeting, there were several informative workshops where practical issues of our everyday practice were highlighted in an engaging environment.
As we now leave the 2021 Meeting behind us, we are already deep into preparations for the WAO BSACI 2022 Meeting in Edinburg this April. This will again be a physical face-to-face Meeting where WAO and BSACI will combine their expertise and experience to create an unparalleled global event which will be an experience not to be missed, both from a scientific and a social & networking viewpoint. We are looking forward to welcoming you at WAOBSACI 2022 UK Conference in Edinburgh from 25th-27th April. To find out more and register visit
www.wao-bsaci.org
Take a look at the photos from the 2021 conference: www.bsaci.org/education-and-events/meetings/past-bsaci-conference-photos/2021-bsaci-conference
UK Anaphylaxis Registry
Dr Paul Turner
Reader and Consultant in Paediatric Allergy and Immunology, Imperial College London
BSACI is working with Imperial College London to establish a prospective UK Anaphylaxis Registry, supported by UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), to collect data relating to unintended allergic reactions. The Registry is fully integrated into the existing European Anaphylaxis Registry Network for Online Registration of Anaphylaxis (NORA) www.anaphylaxie.net. Information about the frequency and triggers of severe allergic reactions in the UK and Europe is limited, therefore we are working with the NORA team to better understand the causes of anaphylaxis in the UK, and to help protect those with food and other potentially severe allergies. Summary data will be shared with the FSA and FSS to help evaluate the circumstances of food-induced reactions in the UK and identify common triggers which might not currently be required for allergen disclosure under the relevant legislation. We also hope the Registry will provide information as to risk factors for severe reactions in the UK.
BSACI members (as well as other Healthcare Professionals) are encouraged to register for access to the online platform, and then submit data relating to unintended allergic reactions occurring in adults and children, to both food and non-food triggers, for example: • Patients presenting with acute symptoms to Accident & Emergency departments. • Patients presenting to outpatient clinics for follow-up. Participation in the UK Anaphylaxis Registry is jointly coordinated through the BSACI and Imperial College London (Principal Investigator: Dr Paul Turner). UK Healthcare Professionals (Contributors) can apply using an online form to gain access to the Registry. Once approved, they will receive an email from the NORA team with a username and password. There are no costs to participate in the UK Anaphylaxis Registry and registering as a Contributor to the Registry is voluntary. If you decide to participate, we ask you to:
•Provide your consent so that Imperial
College London and the NORA team can store your first and last name, as well as your (NHS) email address. • Agree to receive the “Anaphylaxis” newsletter and other updates that will be published on a quarterly basis. • Agree that your Hospital Department/Unit can be listed as a participating centre in the UK Anaphylaxis Registry on the website www.anaphylaxie.net Once your account has been approved, we will email you a User ID and Password which will give you access to the online platform. Should you have any questions please email Dr Alessia Baseggio Conrado at anaphylaxis.registry@imperial.ac.uk
Please use the QR code below to the registry or go directly to www.bit.ly/UK-anaphylaxis to register.
