Welcome to Nottingham from our President, Richard Stewart

Welcome to my home town! I am delighted that BAPS is holding its 66th annual congress in Nottingham, a city full of history and character. Described in the “Life of King Alfred (839AD)” as the “City of caves” it sits upon a soft sandstone ridge and hosts more than 800 caves excavated for use as homes and places of work. Nottingham castle was built on the orders of William the Conqueror in 1068 and Sherwood Forest, home of the infamous heroic outlaw Robin Hood and his band of merry men is close by. The city also boasts Batman’s residence, Wayne Manor, as the 2012 film ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ was set in Wollaton Hall located adjacent to the university.

Nottingham University has contributed significantly to medical care, Sir Peter Mansfield shared the 2003 Nobel Prize for Medicine for his pioneering work on magnetic resonance imaging and Dr Stewart Adam at the Boots Research Department developed Ibuprofen. In fact Sir Jesse Boot founder of the international pharmaceutical company generously donated the campus where our congress is being held.

This year we have a very exciting programme which will commence on Wednesday morning with post-graduate symposia and an innovative session exploring how BAPS and patient charities can work more closely together to each others mutual benefit – don’t miss it!!

That evening I look forward to welcoming you to the ‘President’s Reception’ where you may also meet the real Sheriff of Nottingham.

On Thursday Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, GMC chairman 2015-8, will give the Presidents lecture on “Patient Safety – the Surgeon and the System” and promises to give a unique insight into the workings of the GMC. Following which we will present the Denis Browne medal to Professor Pat Donohoe.

I invite you to join us at Nottingham Council House, the spectacular setting for this year’s gala dinner on Thursday evening, and afterwards those who wish can enjoy the city’s nightlife.

Friday will feature our first global surgery session and I am delighted to welcome so many international colleagues to this year’s congress. We are also joined on Friday by our general surgical and urology colleagues who will participate in a symposium on “Transition of paediatric surgical care to adult services”.

If you can drag yourself away from our stimulating meeting all delegates have complementary access to the university sports centre located adjacent to the East Midlands Conference centre. Or at the south entrance to the campus you may enjoy the stunning boating lake beside the Lakeside Arts Centre.

I look forward to meeting you – enjoy your time in Nottingham.

 

Richard Stewart,

President of BAPS