The first hybrid event organised by ENT UK was held at the newly renovated Royal College of Surgeons of England in London on Friday 17 September 2021. National and international delegates attended a day of presentations, celebrating trainee and trainer-delivered projects as part of the Rowena Ryan Awards, with delegates also attending virtually.
The event opened with a welcome from Professor Nirmal Kumar who reflected on the role of ENT UK and its members over the past 18 months, highlighting the publication of guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of ENT UK in recognising anosmia as a key symptom of COVID-19, and the grants and fellowships awarded.
This was the first year that the Rowena Ryan Awards were extended to national and international trainees through ENT UK. The awards were established in 2015 on the 10th death anniversary of Rowena Ryan, a consultant ENT surgeon at Northwick
Park Hospital, London. It was a privilege for trainees and trainers to present their projects in the presence of the family of Rowena Ryan, including Audeon Healy who spoke about Rowena Ryan’s life and work.
Emma Hogg received the Rowena Ryan Award for Best Trainee-Led Training Project.
The day comprised of trainee, SAS, and young consultant presentations in the categories of audit, research and training projects. Notable presentations included the trainee-led ‘COVID-19: acute epistaxis audit’, ‘Aerosol Generating Procedures in the Outpatient Department’ and the ‘Development of a new Community Audiology-Lead Clinic supported by Tele-video-otology’. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to present ‘Paediatric Nasopharyngeal Airways: Emergency Management’, a project that I had undertaken at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust alongside Dr K Wright and Mr S Sharma.
Helen Aoifee Iliff presented a summary of the Joint BAETS-DAS-ENT UK Consensus guidance and resources for the management of post-thyroidectomy neck haematoma, which are now available online.
Professor Merati delivered a fantastic keynote talk on ‘Aim True: Perspectives on Leadership, Careers and Wellness’, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and the impact of our decision-making on our personal and professional lives.
Prof Merati delivering his keynote presentation.
The afternoon concluded with the announcement of prizes, including Professor David Howard, who was presented with the Lifetime Teaching Award. Dance Syndrome provided a beautiful performance, getting delegates up off their seats and enjoying the music. For many, this was the first face-to-face meeting that they attended in over 18 months, and we look forward to many more in the future.
Emma S Hogg, ST5 Otolaryngology, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
