Sport and medical minds team up

30 Apr 2014

Some of the best minds in medicine and sport are teaming up to explore the latest advances in healthcare at a major international conference being organised by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

More than 400 experts including doctors, surgeons and dentists from around the world are expected to attend the conference to see and hear presentations from leading experts in both health and sport. The conference has been designed to incorporate nine individual symposia, focusing on different aspects of medicine and sport, taking place in parallel over two days (19-20 June). The conference, which is endorsed by the Commonwealth Games Federation, will take place in Glasgow ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Former Scotland National Football Team Manager, Mr Craig Brown, who will participate in a public health question and answer session at the conference, said: "Having worked with experienced medical people in the world of football, I am delighted to be involved in bringing expertise to all sports. The medical profession plays a very important role in sports, not just in injury prevention and cure, but also in promoting the lifestyle benefits."

As the "50 days to go" countdown to the conference begins, Dr Quentin Fogg from the University of Glasgow and one of the stars of BBC 4’s Dissected programme, said: "Following the establishment of the state of the art Clinical Anatomy Skills Centre (CASC) in Glasgow last year, I am delighted to further build on the strong relationship between the University of Glasgow and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Advancing Excellence in Healthcare 2014 gives us an opportunity to share how science and clinical practice are always going to be entwined."

Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) Director of Public Health, will speak on physical activity and behavioural change. Dr de Caestecker is also a lead on the "Beat Your Diabetes" Challenge, which is a joint 2014 Legacy project between NHS GGC and the Royal College that aims to help people with type 2 diabetes to improve their nutrition and physical activity in order to become medication free.

Dr de Caestecker commented: "Getting people more physically active is one of the best things we can do for public health. A conference that brings together medical professionals, to lead by example and encouraging them to think about how we can motivate patients to be more physically active is very important for improving public health."

The conference will host a "Clinicians on the Clyde" 5k charity fun run in aid of Yorkhill Children’s Charity, which is supported by local Glasgow running club Giffnock North and Jog Scotland. Head of Jog Scotland, Mr Billy Mitchell said: "We are delighted to be supporting this event. It is great to see the College take a lead in supporting physical activity. We are particularly delighted to be involved with the Clinicians on the Clyde 5k and to see jogging included as part of the physical activity message."

Another key element of the conference will be a Health Zone in the main exhibition hall which has been sponsored by Scottish business Albert Bartlett.

"We are delighted to be working with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow to be sponsoring the Health Zone at this year’s conference Advancing Excellence in Healthcare", comments John Heginbottom, Albert Bartlett Sales and Marketing Director. "The Health Zone will feature a variety of hands on experiences including cookery demonstrations and an exercise zone. We want to champion the potato and their wonderful nutritional properties as part of a healthy lifestyle."

President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Dr Frank Dunn said: "We are delighted with the considerable support we are receiving from the local business community, the University of Glasgow and so many of our Fellows and Members. Working together we can achieve our aims of advancing excellence in healthcare."

Find out more about Advancing Excellence in Healthcare 2014 at http://aeh2014.rcp.sg.

Pictured: Celebrating 50 days to go

From left – Dr Quentin Fogg, Anatomist, University of Glasgow; Dr Robin Northcote, Conference Director and Registrar, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow; Professor Miles Fisher, consultant diabetologist and Vice President (Medical), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow; Mr Billy Mitchell, Head of Jog Scotland; Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Director of Public Health; Mr Craig Brown, former Scotland National Football Team Manager

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