Hull Hospitals to host international chest injury conference

Communications TeamNews

Helicopter on helipad in front of Hull Royal Infirmary

Health professionals from across the globe will descend on East Yorkshire tomorrow as a team from Hull Hospitals plays host to a prestigious clinical event.

The major trauma team from Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will host the Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS) Modern Management of Chest Wall Injury conference tomorrow, Tuesday 6 September, at the Mercure Grange Park Hotel in Willerby.

The honour of hosting the conference comes just weeks after the Trust’s thoracic trauma team was awarded CWIS ‘Collaborative Centre’ status in recognition of its often life-saving work with patients with rib fractures and other chest injuries.

The conference will welcome both UK and international delegates, online and in person, and will explore hot topics, research, and examine challenging cases in the rapidly evolving field of rib and sternal repair through presentations, interactive discussion and shared expertise.

Major Trauma clinical lead, Dr Tom Cowlam

Major trauma clinical lead, Dr Tom Cowlam

In advance of the course, the CWIS’s SarahAnn Whitbeck and Dr Thomas W. White have travelled from the US and been hosted at Hull Royal Infirmary today by a team including Chief Executive Christopher Long, who will open tomorrow’s conference, plus major trauma clinical lead Dr Tom Cowlam and thoracic surgeons Mr Michael Cowen and Mr Michael Gooseman.

Mr Gooseman, who is also a senior clinical lecturer with Hull York Medical School, says the event is a real feather in Hull’s clinical cap:

“This is a proud moment for us in our ongoing relationship as a CWIS Collaborative Centre.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming the Chest Wall Injury Society to Hull for this prestigious educational event. It promises to be a cutting-edge exploration of current operative and non-operative approaches to chest wall trauma, taking the experience and most recent learning from experts in the field and sharing this far and wide.

“Chest wall injuries are usually sustained as a result of moderate or major trauma, so something like a fall or a crush injury. Though not uncommon, it’s important that these injuries are managed correctly as they can lead to significant health risks for patients such as compromised breathing or further complications.

“Tomorrow’s event is a meeting of health professionals first and foremost, but what we’re all aiming to do is bring learning back to the workplace and use it to benefit the patients we all care for.

“Being able to host some of the leading names in chest trauma right here in Hull not only means we have direct access to their expertise, but it also means we can showcase the work of our own team on a global stage and show just why Hull has earned its Collaborative Centre status.”

More information and an agenda for the conference can be found on the CWIS website.