BSH 2025 - Glasgow

With sincere gratitude to the ISTH Legacy Fund, I had the invaluable opportunity to attend the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Society for Haematology (BSH) in Glasgow—my first national conference.

As part of our fourth-year curriculum, my project partner and I conducted an audit on the diagnosis and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) across two major UK hospitals, under the guidance of Dr Richard Buka. We were thrilled when our abstract was accepted for a poster presentation at a national conference.

Our first day in Glasgow started with an enjoyable walk to the venue, taking in Glasgow’s picturesque streets and vibrant greenery. On our way there, we experienced great difficulty deciding which sessions to attend as there were so many options, all of which seemed equally fascinating and relevant to our interests. The conference began with a compelling plenary lecture by Professor James O’Donnell, offering a profound insight into von Willebrand disease and his team’s pioneering research.

The rest of the day included informative sessions on haemostasis and thrombosis, where I was pleased to see a familiar face—Dr Will Lester from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham—presenting clinical cases on thrombocytopenia. Having previously attended one of his lectures via the HaemSoc at our medical school, this brought a sense of continuity to my learning. We also spent time speaking to charities and pharmaceutical companies in the exhibition hall, learning about the new discoveries and ongoing work.

On the second day, we were especially proud to attend a talk by our supervisor on HaemSTAR’s mission, followed by an inspiring session from Dr Michael Egolum, who shared his experiences of working closely with HaemSTAR and overcoming research challenges in Nigeria. Additionally, the ‘Dragons’ Den’ style presentations sparked ideas on practical, impactful research initiatives. These short talks were extremely inspiring and led me to appreciate these clinicians’ passion in the field of Haematology.

In the afternoon, we attended oral abstract presentations in general, obstetric, and immunohaematology—topics particularly relevant to our stage of training. The day ended with a poster walk, where we received feedback on our own work, networked with other clinicians and students. We also dedicated time to exploring the extensive poster hall, analysing methodologies and data presentation across various haematology domains. This prompted reflection on our own audit and areas for future improvement. The evening concluded with a lively dinner with the warm and welcoming HaemSTAR community.

The final day began with a ‘Crucible Session’, where trainee haematologists pitched innovative ideas. A standout moment of the day was the lecture by Professor Andreas Greinacher, a leading expert on Anti-PF4 antibody disorders. As our audit focused on HIT, hearing directly from one of the key figures in the discovery of VITT added tremendous value. His explanation of the pathophysiology and research behind these conditions deepened our appreciation for the ongoing evolution within haematology.

The BSH conference was a truly enriching experience — academically stimulating, professionally inspiring and personally fulfilling. It not only enhanced my knowledge in haematology but also reaffirmed my passion for the field. Going forward, I am motivated to pursue research with greater precision and purpose, and to remain actively involved in the haematology community.