Venue and Hosts
The SBNS Meetings Committee and our colleagues at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast are looking forward to welcoming you all to the SBNS Spring meeting, which will be held at the International Conference Centre in Belfast (ICC Belfast) 12-14 March 2025.
The ICC Belfast is based in the heart of the city with state-of-the-art conference and exhibition facilities and excellent transport links. The main conference hotel, The Hilton, is conveniently located besides the ICC and has direct access. We will also be offering rooms at the Belfast Leonardo Hotel which is a short walk away from the ICC. The hotels we feature are being managed by Julie Conroy at Intouch International and we have negotiated favourable rates. Please click on the Registration and Accommodation tab for more details.
Host Unit
The Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Lead Host - Neil Simms, Consultant Neurosurgeon
Invited Guest Society
The SBNS are delighted to announce that The Society of Neurological Surgeons of America will be joining the meeting as our invited guests and contributing to the programme. Their President, Nathan Selden, will be delivering one of our eponymous lectures and Dr Richard Bryne will be giving a plenary talk in the Global Session. Their members have also been invited to submit abstracts and participate in the meeting. It will be a great opportunity for our Societies to exchange knowledge, experiences and get to know each other.
Programme
The conference will commence on Wednesday morning, 12 March, with a Lifelong Learning Session on Craniocervical Junction - covering congenital defects, tumours and chiari malformation. Our Lifelong Learning sessions are a regular feature of our meetings and are the perfect opportunity for our delegates to find out about the new advances in the chosen topic and to add to their continued professional development.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Abstracts on all neurological topics are welcome from neurosurgical community, both from the UK and internationally. We would especially like to receive submissions from our invited guests. Please click on the Abstract Submission tab to submit.
The line will close on 2nd December 2024 at 5pm. Notification of acceptance will be via email to the presenting author by mid-January.
SOCIAL EVENTS
To complement the academic programme, we have some wonderful social events planned. On Wednesday 12 March there will be a Welcome Reception at the Ulster Museum and on Thursday 13 March there will be a Gala Dinner in the Titanic Suite of the Titanic Belfast Museum. Please click on the social events tab to find out more.
The main meeting will open on Wednesday afternoon with a welcome address by the lead host from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Neil Simms, and the SBNS President, Professor Peter Hutchinson. The opening eponymous lecture will be given by Roy McConnell, a senior consultant from the Host unit.
The remainder of the meeting will cover all aspects of neurosurgery, and will include three eponymous guest lectures, free paper sessions headed by a plenary talk by an expert in that field, ePosters, a Hot Topics Session, Breakfast Seminars and much more! Rest assured the, programme has been designed to create a unique and enjoyable educational experience.
Exhibition
An extensive exhibition will be held throughout the meeting with numerous neurosurgical companies exhibiting their latest products and innovations. Several neuro related charities will also have stands in the exhibition. Please take time to visit the stands during the meeting. The SBNS are very grateful for the support of our sponsors.
Social Media
We would appreciate our members and delegates actively promoting this event on social media in the lead up to meeting to encourage attendance and, during the meeting, to show your appreciation of the talks and the event.
The hashtag for this event is:
#SBNSBELFAST2025
Meeting App
A Conference App will be available for delegates and speakers to download at the beginning of March. This will include all you need for the meeting, in the lead up to and, during the meeting itself, whether you are attending in person or virtually.
The SBNS and our local Hosts look forward to welcoming you all to Belfast in March 2025.
SBNS Code of Conduct
In April 2024 the SBNS Launched its Code of Conduct for SBNS Meetings - The Three Principles of Prevention - ST.O.P
1. STay Professional
Don’t use your status to influence/implicitly coerce the vulnerable or more junior
Do not use conferences/educational events as opportunities to seek sexual gratification
Consider your conduct around/after SBNS events, remembering that you represent our society and its values, for example wearing societal identification in public venues
Consider how it may be interpreted if you are photographed/witnessed when you are on study/professional leave
Remember, alcohol is the most common date rape drug – be safe; don’t misuse it
2. Open Your Eyes
Are you blind to your own inappropriate actions?
Are you ignoring poor behaviour in others?
3. Protect Each Other
“Check in” - If you see inappropriate e.g. creepy/sleazy behaviour, and you feel able to do so, ask the “recipient” if they are OK
“Call it out” - If you see inappropriate e.g. creepy/sleazy behaviour, and you feel able to do so, inform the “perpetrator” they are being
e.g. creepy/sleazy, e.g. if it is a friend of yours or someone you know
