Key themes | Annual Conference

The programme for the Annual Conference 2027 is coming soon. Below is a preview of the key themes you can look forward to.

Adolescence: Caring for gen alpha 

How do we out-influence social media? Examine the ‘well-established’ and emerging health concerns amongst young adults presenting to EDs.

Beyond the ordinary: Rare, exotic and unexpected emergencies

From shark bites to thunderstorm asthma – explore the rare, exotic and unforgettable cases that test clinical reasoning and expand your EM repertoire.

Not just an algorithm: Challenges in paediatric resuscitation

Paediatric resuscitation is rarely straightforward. This session explores complex and high-pressure situations, the difficult decisions they demand and the challenging outcomes that can follow.

EM without borders

From disaster response to low-resource settings, explore how global health emergencies are reshaping the way we think and practice.

Battlefield to resus bay: Lessons from military and conflict medicine

Learn how battlefield trauma care shapes modern EM and explore lessons learned from global conflict zones.

PEM pick ‘n’ mix: Small patients, big thinking

From neonates to neurodiversity, rashes to adverse childhood experiences, this practical session explores the breadth of PEM. Expect real-world scenarios and take-home insights to support confident, day-to-day clinical decision-making.

The people behind the injuries: The human side of major trauma

Take a look at major trauma from a different perspective, as we explore the impact these cases have on all those involved.

The core that counts: Front door fundamentals

Common presentations, uncommon challenges. Cut through the routine and explore what really matters in today’s EM practice, from evidence updates to diagnostic dilemmas.

Beyond the front door: Emergency care and the community

Exploring how EDs can bridge the gap with community care, social prescribing and upstream thinking to better serve patients beyond the acute episode.

Bruised and broken: Tailoring regional anaesthesia to injuries

One patient, lots of broken skin and bones. What would you do? Demonstrations and debates on regional anaesthesia for ED management of rib fractures, femoral fractures, and skin lacerations.

The age of complexity: Emergency care for older adults

Complex, subtle, and high-risk. Understand the vital role of time-critical medications, detect hypoactive delirium, and uncover missed triggers and hidden emergencies behind recurrent falls.

Off the beaten track: Alternative careers in EM

From mountain medicines to major events, PHEM to non-clinical roles – discover the diverse paths available beyond the department for the modern emergency physician.

The judgment gym: An ethical decision-making workout

Restraint, safeguarding, DNACPR, and more. Join a multidisciplinary panel to explore different perspectives on ethically challenging cases you’ll recognise from your own department. Apply practical principles and explore the biases that influence our decisions.

Stepping up with confidence: A career as learner, educator, and imposter

Join a panel of ACPs, residents and consultants to explore the challenges of being both a learner and educator at every transition point in your career. Prepare for progression, manage imposter syndrome, and create a system that embeds education in the everyday.

More than the manikin: Master the subtle art of simulation

Join expert commentators as they dissect and debate a live simulation demonstration. Learn to establish a safe learning environment, elegantly intervene, and facilitate a high impact learning conversation.

Ten years on: Lessons from the Manchester Arena bombing

A decade from one of the UK’s most devastating terrorist attacks, this session reflects on what we learned, what’s changed and how one night transformed the UK’s approach to mass casualty response.

Inclusive by design: Practical ED&I and neurodiversity in the ED

As EDs grow ever busier and more complex, ensuring equitable, inclusive care—and workplaces—has never been more important. Translate principles into meaningful, practical changes on the shop floor, with a particular focus on neurodiversity in both patients and colleagues.

Marginal gains – Improving flow in EDs

Explore point of care testing, better decision making and address the root causes of long ED stays. These real-life examples of small changes can add up to big improvements in patient experience and outcomes.

Research in EM

A series of sessions covering the latest research studies, top papers, knowledge mobilisation, integrating research into a busy ED, project development and how to get into research.