The 37th Annual Microbiology Conference of the BSMT will be the organisation’s first full face-to-face meeting for over two years. Here, BSMT committee member David Westrip previews the conference
The impact of SARS-CoV-19 and the national response resulted in the 2021 event moving to an online webinar format. The virtual conference is widely thought of as having been a great success in difficult circumstances. The 2021 webinar naturally focused on the ongoing pandemic, and this remains an important component of the microbiology services across the country. The recordings of these presentations remain available through links on the BSMT website and its YouTube channel. Earlier this year the committee took the difficult decision to delay this year’s meeting from the traditional May slot to later in the year to reduce the potential risk and impact of circulating the COVID virus. The BSMT conference is now scheduled for Tuesday 19 July at the RAF Museum in Hendon, and an interesting and stimulating scientific programme has been arranged covering a range of topical issues.
Antimicrobial resistance
As the COVID-19 response is gradually de-escalated in line with government and UKHSA advice, other issues are again beginning to demand attention. Aside from pandemic viral infections, one other topic notable enough to feature on the UK’s national risk register is that of antimicrobial resistance which has been formally recognised as a national concern since 2015. As a subject of continual discussion, the BSMT is lucky enough to have two highly regarded speakers presenting at this year’s event on different aspects of this important topic.
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