The Five Nations Health Protection Conference 2009 took place on 28th and 29th April at the Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The conference takes place annually at a different venue in one of the five host nations(England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland). The aim of the conference is to provide a focus for CPD for CCDCs, Consultants and Specialists in PH and their colleagues in epidemiology, and control of infectious, non infectious and environmental hazards that the conference should take place as planned as many attendees had started their journeys. Although the outbreak disrupted the organisation of the conference many of the oral presentations were delivered as planned.
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Councillors David and Margaret Wood warmly welcomed all delegates to the conference and Dr Tricia Cresswell delivered an interesting keynote address entitled “Challenges of partnership working”.
This year the main themes were:
- Immunisation
- Outbreaks and Incidents
- International Health
- Sex, Saunas and Sport – The Risks of Leisure Activities
- Surveillance
- Late Breakers and Hot Topics
The Late Breakers and Hot Topics session came into its own with delegates eager to discuss Swine Flu. Many thanks to Dr Peter English for an excellent presentation hastily put together, which was presented by Dr Martin Schweiger, CCDC, West Yorkshire HPU.
As always at the 5 Nations Health Protection Conference there were many interesting poster presentations. One of the posters that stood out from others and won the best poster presentation prize was entitled “Look what I’ve brought back from
my holidays” by Dr D Wilson, North East HPU.
The Conference Booklet for Newcastle 2009 is available here.