2026 has got off to an excellent start with the publication of our paper in the British Journal of Haematology, “Medical Haematology: repositioning haematology at the heart of medicine.” In the paper, we argue that embracing the term Medical Haematology is a strategic imperative: it reflects the life-threatening nature of many of the conditions we manage, helps attract and retain trainees, rebalances research priorities, and firmly re-establishes haematology as an indispensable discipline at the heart of modern medical practice and a driver of progress.
I am looking forward to presenting this work at the European National Societies Forum next week, and I hope the arguments will encourage wider adoption of the term across Europe. I will also be showing our liaison haematology work; how we derived the definition, assessed and formalised the activity and are ensuring accountability in job plans. I’m interested to learn from other societies if and how they have addressed this issue.
January is always an inspiring month for me - even if experience tells me that most self-improvement resolutions are short-lived. One thing we can rely on, however, is that each new year in haematology brings fresh advances. We could never be luddites. Whether we like it or not (and I do!), artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping medicine, and haematology is one of its most promising frontiers.
I attended several talks last year demonstrating how AI is transforming genetic data interpretation, and machine learning is accelerating the translation of vast datasets into clinically actionable insights. By integrating clinical variables with genetics and biomarkers, AI enables more refined prognostic scoring in blood cancers and improved risk prediction in medical haematology conditions. It supports, rather than replaces, expert clinical judgement.
I was delighted by the high number and quality of applications for the BSH AI Fellowships, which will commence in August. The breadth of ideas and ambition on display is hugely encouraging. At our Annual Scientific Meeting in April, we will hear from our current fellows, Nomathamsanqa Tshuma and Daniel Simpson, who will present at the Laboratory Special Interest Group (SIG) session on the use of AI tools to improve integrated diagnostic reporting of mature B-cell lymphoid leukaemias, and to support accurate diagnosis of iron deficiency, respectively. Meanwhile, fellows from our previous cohort have now completed their work on AI-driven blood cell classification, automated reporting of blood films, and fibrosis grading in trephine biopsies.
From streamlining diagnostics to enabling personalised treatment strategies, AI is already enhancing accuracy, efficiency and patient outcomes. AI-enabled decision support systems are used to augment workflows across transfusion medicine, laboratory haematology, and the selection of medications. And such tools will increasingly assist with diagnostic differentials, test selection, and treatment recommendations based on clinical guidelines and patient-specific factors. It is moving us closer to truly individualised medicine.
It will also move us towards more flexible models of follow-up and virtual care. AI-enabled remote monitoring and tele-haematology platforms allow continuous surveillance of vital signs and blood parameters, and earlier detection of complications such as neutropenic sepsis and sickle crisis.
I attended a primary-secondary care interface meeting on Tuesday night, where the Oxfordshire diabetologists presented an outstanding model of patient care. It is actually similar to the community outreach anticoagulation service that a team of us established in Leicestershire in 2009. Not to belittle these notable achievements, it is so much easier to streamline and resource care pathways related to one common condition, particularly where numerical data is central to management, such as glucose measurements and INRs.
This compares with the multitude of relatively rare diseases in haematology. The breadth of our field never ceases to amaze me, and it is no wonder that we have had a record 647 submitted abstracts, a 30% increase from last year, which was already an all-time high. I’ve just completed my share of the abstract marking and look ahead to agreeing on those selected for oral presentation.
We also have the first meeting of our new Supportive Care SIG coming up. Laura Miller, the founder, chair and one of our BSH trustees, is inviting haematology professionals to join a workshop to discuss priority areas of education, guidelines and advocacy and how these integrate into the supportive care SIG new strategy. This will take place in London on Wednesday February 25th, do sign up.
Additionally, we’ve just advertised for committee members for the Global SIG, which includes different task forces and explores new ventures and ideas across countries. And we continue to need more mentors for our mentor/mentee platform, where there is a current imbalance following a recent big increase in mentees. Our second edition of Workforce Words is now available, providing an update on our progress in this area.
In all our activities, BSH maintains our aim to unlock the remarkable potential of our members, in clinical practice, operational efficiency and research innovation. While the pace of development is both exciting and, at times, daunting, the direction of travel is clear and for the haematology community, there is much to look forward to in 2026 and beyond.