Local Organiser’s message

On behalf of the local organising committee I am delighted to welcome our colleagues in AUGIS to Belfast for the 2011 Annual Conference. The meeting venue is the centrally located Waterfront Hall, a world renowned conference facility. We have the great privilege, in AUGIS, this September in welcoming our colleagues from Holland and the Scandinavian countries to jointly discuss surgical science and affairs. The British Hernia Society is also participating in the meeting with sessions which will appeal to all.

Work on the scientific programme, overseen by John Primrose and our Vice President Bill Allum is well advanced and promises an up to date and informative two days. Dr Takeshi Sano is travelling from Japan and has reassured us, despite recent local difficulties, that he will be in Belfast in September. There will be world class contributions from both Dutch and Scandinavian Surgical Societies on topics such as NET, Upper GI surgery quality and outcomes. The usual Friday morning feature of parallel sessions in OG, HPB and Bariatric will be complemented this year by a Ventral Hernia session which will attract wide interest.

The anticipated training day (14th Sept) is also in final planning stages and aspires to the previously set high standards. On the social side Belfast has much to commend it and I urge that you would leave sometime to see at least parts of the city while here. We plan a trip back in time with the mode of transport to the annual conference dinner in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, an evening not to be missed. Book your dinner ticket with your registration.

I look forward very much to welcoming you to Belfast, Sept 14-16.

Declan Carey
Local Organiser, AUGIS