BGS Spring Meeting: 10 reasons you won’t want to miss out!
There has never been a better time to register for the BGS Spring Meeting.
Flexible registration options (hybrid, in person, online) will enable us all to come together in Birmingham, 22-24 May, to ‘Refresh, Relax and Refocus’ and we can’t wait to see you!
Are you still undecided about attending the BGS Spring Meeting? Here are 10 reasons to register right now...
1. Get the latest updates on some of the hottest topics in geriatric medicine
The BGS Spring Meeting focuses on the importance of cross specialty, multidisciplinary teams, working together. The themed, interactive programme includes some of the key issues affecting the healthcare of older people, such as: dementia and nutrition, continence, respiratory diseases and the ageing lung, tissue viability, falls and syncope, medicines optimisation and the GI tract. The programme also includes streams on topics such as medical ethics and law, research, clinical quality, education and training.
Attendees can expect to come away with the latest research findings, training and toolkits to support clinical practice - and a fresh perspective that can only be gained from participating and networking at such a lively, diverse and content-rich meeting.
2. Hear talks given by leading experts
Professor Janet Lord, Professor of Immune Cell Biology, Director of the MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research University of Birmingham, will speak on 'Geroscience, a new approach to age-related morbidity'.
Her research focuses on the dysregulation of immunity in old age, in particular the decline in neutrophil function and how this compromises the response to infection and tissue injury. She aims to understand the mechanism involved and to develop novel therapies to improve immunity in older adults.
Professor Andrew Elder, President RCPE, Consultant Physician, Honorary Professor, University of Edinburgh, will deliver the Marjory Warren Guest Lecture on ‘The Artificial Doctor’.
Andrew Elder is the first geriatrician to be elected as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. His career outside clinical care has been devoted to medical education and he is recognised as expert in the teaching and assessment of bedside clinical skills. He believes that compassion, communication and core bedside clinical skills remain fundamental to high quality care and therefore have prime importance in contemporary medical education.
Look out for more speaker information on our Twitter Feed @GeriSoc as we lead up to the #BGSConf
3. Access new research and evidence
You heard it here first! The BGS Spring Meeting brings life to brand new data, research and evidence emerging in the field of geriatrics. What’s more, you will be able to engage directly with those who are carrying out this work to ask questions or give feedback.
4. Attend small group workshop sessions
Workshop sessions allow participants to really get the most from their meeting experience by providing the time, space and expertise to explore core topics and gain personal insight. Workshops include 'Education in Geriatric Medicine' and 'Nursing and Allied Health Community of Practice Leadership'.
5. Network with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals
The Vox is a contemporary, light and airy venue. Not only does the close proximity of meeting rooms make it very easy to move between sessions and enjoy the varied meeting programme, but the main foyer with lake views provides the perfect opportunity to join an interactive group session or to relax and network with colleagues. Make sure to catch up over lunch too!
Watch our video 'Join the BGS' to hear the value that our attendees place on the networking opportunities at our meetings.
6. Explore Birmingham
With the Vox located on the outskirts of Birmingham, take up the opportunity to explore all the city has to offer. Birmingham boasts a wonderful mix of architecture, food, shopping and history. Enjoy views across the city from the Birmingham Library rooftop garden and dine overlooking the canals at Brindley Place. Other attractions include the Bullring, Botanical Gardens, Thinktank and Back to Backs. There’s plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy all that Birmingham has to offer.
7. Get Social
Beyond the usual opportunities for networking at meetings, those attending in person will also get the opportunity to enjoy access to an extensive social programme. For the Spring Meeting 2024, this includes welcome drinks, a policy breakfast on Thursday morning, and a conference dinner and dance for delegates on the Thursday evening. Places are limited and booking is essential - email registrations [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk to reserve your spot!
8. Gain CPD
The meeting offers up to 18 CPD credits of live CPD credit (expires 24 June 2024) and 18 credits distance learning CPD accreditation (expires 24 May 2025). A CPD certificate to add to your professional portfolio will be emailed to attendees who register in advance and either attend in person or watch the live broadcast online - subject to logging your attendance on the day - refer to the ‘Programme Top Tips’ for more information.
You can also access your past CPD certificates on the BGS website, plus slides from the meeting are available exclusively to BGS members (and non-member attendees) if you wish to refresh your memory.
9. Share your work
As well as attending the event as a delegate, BGS meetings offer the opportunity to present your own work and share your experiences with peers from across the rest of the UK and beyond.
Oral abstracts feature throughout the programme. This year, attendees will be able to browse and comment on each other's work via paperless posters that will be available in advance of the meeting on the BGS Poster Platform and accessible via interactive screens at the Vox. Click here to find out more about abstract submissions.
The lively President’s Poster Round features the top 10 submitted scientific research abstracts.
Abstract submissions have now closed for the BGS Spring Meeting, but are open for the BGS Autumn Meeting. For more information about this process, click here. You can now also submit abstracts presented elsewhere for consideration at BGS meetings to help give your previous work an additional boost.
10. Value for money
Registering to attend in person provides delegates with access to the whole meeting programme and networking opportunities in Birmingham, as well as full access to the online platform and the on-demand recordings from the whole meeting.
Registering for online attendance gives access to the live virtual meeting as well as the on-demand recordings.
There is a flexible transfer option from in-person to online attendance, if your clinical or other circumstances change.
Members’ rates start from as little as £90, and BGS Members can also apply for grants from the BGS to cover some or all the cost of attending. Click here to find out how to become and member and take advantage of the best rates.
BGS offers competitive rates on accommodation. Please book early as hotel accommodation close to the Vox is at a premium. Preferential rates are available for BGS attendees at the Hilton using the code 113011292. Click here to find out more.
There are volunteering opportunities for medical students to assist in the daily running of our annual meetings. Responsibilities include assisting with registration, greeting and directing attendees to key points and providing microphone support during Q&A sessions in presentations. The opportunity to observe the sessions and meet with geriatricians is invaluable when deciding whether to pursue geriatric medicine as a specialty. Interested candidates should email registrations [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk with their interest as soon as possible. Reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed and subsistence at the event is offered too.