Thursday, 02 November: Registration 15.40
The seduction of induction – A review of recent research, practice, and impact
Induction of labour impacts on birth outcomes and the childbirth experience for women and their families. This meeting aims to examine the reasons driving this increasingly prevalent intervention and the variation in practice related to induction of labour. The current evidence base and national recommendations will be reviewed. Speakers will include Hannah Knight, National Maternity and Perinatal Audit Lead, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and mothers Helen Discombe and Lucy Atkinson who will talk about their experiences of induction.
Tuesday, 07 November: Registration 09.00
The UK military humanitarian assistance: A paradigm shift?
This meeting brings together leaders in their field nationally and internationally, to discuss UK military policy, doctrine, and position around humanitarian assistance, with particular reference to recent experience of assistance to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). There will also be a focus on the mental health impact of humanitarian disasters on the survivors, the responders and the UK military. Speakers will include Major General Martin Bricknell, Acting Surgeon General, Defence Medical Services; Group Captain Luke Houghton, DACOS Med PJHQ; Peter Hughes, RSPsych Syrian Refugees Taskforce; and Jeroen Jansen, Director, Evidence Aid.
Tuesday, 14 November: Registration 08.30
Social media: Challenges and benefits for mental health and well-being
This event will discuss the principal aspects of the growing social media industry, from its impact on mental well-being through to new ways of working via virtual platforms. Both the benefits and challenges of social media for young people and adults will be discussed. Delegates will learn how social media can be used as a means of mental health and well-being support, and the impact and initiatives to tackle cyber abuse including online grooming. There will also be discussions on how individuals at risk of online radicalisation can be supported and a panel session at the close of the meeting will explore what social media providers are doing to protect the mental health and well-being of individuals using their online platforms.
Tuesday, 14 November: Registration 18.00
Child maltreatment, brain imaging, and mental illness
Hear Dr Martin Teicher present his groundbreaking research on the relationship between child maltreatment, brain imaging, and mental illness in a way that is understandable to the public as well as professionals. Dr Teicher is Director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Programme at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. The primary mission of Dr Teicher’s research programmes is to improve the life of children, adolescents and adults by exploring the aetiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders that arise during development.
Wednesday, 15 November: Registration 18.00
2017 Darwin lecture: From gene identification to clinical benefit; the example of cystic fibrosis
The 9th annual Darwin lecture will be given by Professor Eric Alton, Professor of Gene Therapy and Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and Honorary Consultant Physician, Royal Brompton Hospital. During his lecture Professor Alton will outline the development of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis, present an update on the progress made with small molecules and discuss how years of important lessons may be of broader relevance to the current focus on genetics and genomic medicine.
Wednesday, 15 November: Registration 08.30
Sleep and drugs: Prescribing for the sleepy and the sleepless
This meeting will explore the pharmacology of sleep and wake, past, present, and future. Talks will cover topics including prescribed stimulants, hypnotics for insomnia, novel sleep drugs for the future, restless legs and difficulties caused by impulse control disorder. Keynote presentations will be led by Professor David Nutt, The Edmond J Safra Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London; Professor Andrew Krystal, University of California, San Francisco; and Dr Gary Dennis, Consultant Neurologist and Sleep Specialist, Sheffield.
Monday, 20 November: Registration 09.30
Pesticides and food: Is low dose exposure harmful?
Food has always been at the centre of public health concern and the aim of this meeting will be to examine the current use of pesticides in the UK and whether new scientific evidence points to a significant risk to public health from pesticides in our food supply. Exploring the current system for oversight of pesticide residues in the food supply, the meeting will discuss whether further action is needed on the grounds of public health. Speakers will include Dr Michael Antoniou, Head of Gene Expression and Therapy Research Group, King’s College London; Professor Anne Marie Vingaard, Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute; and Peter Melchett, Policy Director, Soil Association.
