A bit like Sesame Street I thought that this month I would explore a single letter and that letter is “B”

Barcelona:

The EANM this year was held in a rather windy and rainy Barcelona. The conference centre there is well laid out and the distances between rooms, unlike Dusseldorf, was not great so it was possible to go between sessions easily. Charlotte was in charge of our BNMS stand and we were right next to the coffee area so we had a good footfall with many old friends coming to say hello but also able to meet new friends who may come to our meetings and join our society. I think our multi-craft approach was appreciated by many who came to the stand as we could explain that our meeting catered for all in Nuclear Medicine. It was either that or the Werther’s originals that pulled people in. I had decided to get back to work on the Tuesday as there was much to do but leaving Barcelona was less easy than I thought. First of all I needed to walk 2 miles to the airport through 400,000 rioting Catalans, then cross a Police cordon as they fired tear gas canisters, blag my way into the terminal and through security and then get myself on the only flight leaving for the UK on the Monday night whilst having a booking for a different flight and airline. The flight was not overfull as only 30people had also made it.

Be prepared:

OK this is cheating a bit on the “B” theme. We are going to have a great meeting in Liverpool they are some truly world class speakers on a range of “hot topics” including Prostate cancer imaging and artificial intelligence. The meeting is the 18^th-20^th May but the most important deadline is the abstract deadline on 29^th January. This is the time now to think what you want to submit do not leave it to January but get to work now and make sure you are ready to submit for that deadline. Also remember for the best papers and posters there are some brilliant prizes which can be won. Have a look at our web site for details.

Brexit:

Sorry, yes I do have to mention this as the October 31^st deadline looms. There are a range of uncertainties still but our colleagues in the radiopharmaceutical industries have worked very hard to try and ensure there is minimal disruption to supplies. However, we do need to be aware that at least for the first few weeks there could be some disruption so we do need to warn patients their scans and treatments may be cancelled at the last minute. I do hope our patients do not become Mr Gove’s bumps in the road. Also the companies have had to put in place at least 6 months of new delivery methods including air freight. Contracts have had to be signed and these routes will now probably have to be used even if we do not Brexit on October 31^st. This may mean delivery charges will increase. NHS England refuses to acknowledge this but we keep fighting to have any cost increased covered. As companies provide letters with information on Brexit we will post them on our website to keep everyone informed. Anyway what ever happens I wish you all a Happy Halloween and Happy All Saints Day though by November the 5^th we may all think Guy Fawkes had the best idea.

Dr John Buscombe

BNMS President