I am delighted to share an update as we look ahead to one of the highlights of our calendar - the BSH Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), taking place in Liverpool next month. As ever, the ASM promises an outstanding programme, featuring high-quality scientific sessions, engaging industry symposia, and a vibrant social calendar offering valuable opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and build new collaborations.
This year also brings several exciting additions. We are introducing dedicated networking events for our Special Interest Groups (SIGs), providing a platform for delegates to learn more about their work, contribute ideas, and explore opportunities for involvement. Our newly launched Supportive Care SIG will host a poster walk, highlighting relevant abstracts and fostering discussion around best practice, research, and future directions within the multidisciplinary team.
The programme also reflects our strong commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives. A powerful theatrical production exploring the lived experience of people with sickle cell disease will bring a unique and thought-provoking dimension to the meeting. We are honoured that the Lord Mayor of Liverpool will attend this debut performance ahead of the show’s wider tour.
The Presidential Lecture will focus on medical preparedness for war - an issue of growing and deeply concerning global relevance. Additionally, in support of our ongoing work on the haematology workforce and liaison haematology and aligning with the government’s ambition to shift care from hospital to community, we will highlight an example of best practice. This will be presented on the BSH stage, collaboratively by a GP with an extended role in haematology (GPwER), and haematology consultant from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, demonstrating the value of integrated, cross-sector care.
We will miss those senior residents who will be sitting their Part 2 examinations at the same time as the ASM. We wish them every success and hope to welcome them in the coming years to the New Consultants Day. This event made a successful debut this week, bringing together 50 new consultants for networking, shared problem-solving, and learning from more experienced colleagues.
As many of you are aware, the examination process has faced some challenges. We have been working closely with the RCPath, via the Intercollegiate Committee for Haematology, to identify and address these issues. The principal constraint is capacity; in this sitting, not all candidates who felt ready were able to secure a place. The key limiting factor is the availability of examiners for marking and vivas. Increasing the number of examiners will directly expand candidate capacity. We therefore strongly encourage new applications and ask all training programmes to support and promote examiner recruitment among consultants. Examiner training is offered and the RCPath provides reimbursement for expenses which includes an allowance for a local thank-you dinner. I always enjoy my day as an external examiner at the University Hospitals of Leicester.
In addition, an application has been submitted to the GMC to transition the Part 1 examination to a single best answer format. If approved, this will take time to implement but should help release examiner capacity to support the Part 2 examination.
I would also like to update you on developments across our journals. Over the past year, the transition to Research Exchange has marked a significant step forward, streamlining submission processes and enhancing the author experience. We have also continued to expand our reach while embracing more sustainable publishing practices. Initiatives such as the new BJH Chinese Digest will help engage wider audiences and strengthen our global presence.
I am pleased to report that BJHaem has maintained consistent engagement year-on-year. Meanwhile, eJHaem, having received its first impact factor in 2025, has experienced remarkable growth, with readership increasing by over 18% and surpassing 300,000 total views for the first time. These achievements underline the continued importance and relevance of both journals within our field.
At the ASM, there will be opportunities to meet the Editors-in-Chief, Professors Andrew Evens and Phil Scheinberg, to learn more about the journals, attend the “Best of BJHaem” session on Monday morning, and celebrate excellence through awards recognising outstanding publications.
I very much look forward to seeing many of you at the ASM and to sharing what promises to be an inspiring and engaging meeting.