The Conference
The only suit you'll need is a wetsuit
27-28 June 2019
Not your typical surgical conference. Two days of training and speakers in the idyllic setting of Rhossili, Wales. Most surgical conferences are very serious affairs, this one isn't. We are offering you a chance to engage with the fascinating world of spinal surgery and the innovations currently underway, without the pressure of a formal environment. Come and enjoy a beach barbeque, stunning Wales, and a fantastic line-up of speakers and training activities.
Training Day
Thursday 27th June 2019
Timetable
The day will include a Spinal Essential Skills course specially designed to introduce trainee doctors to the specialist skills needed in spinal surgery. The work stations on offer will include models for planned and incidental durotomies, dural repair techniques and dural sealant options. There will also be the opportunity to gain experience using powered instruments for performing laminectomies.
9:00 Welcome Welsh cakes
10:00 Workshops
13:00 Lunch and industry OSCEs
14:00 Workshops
16:00 Afternoon tea
16:30 Case discussions
17:30 Journal club
Participants
75
Topics
10
Days
2
Speakers
3
Speaker Day
Friday 28th June 2019
The day will include speakers covering a range of topics including the litigious space that spinal surgery occupies, the journey of becoming a prominent spinal surgeon, and going beyond the operating theatre and the role of extended scope practitioners. In the evening you are welcome to join us for drinks at the bar, enjoy the relaxed music of 'Leo and Grace' or head to the beach for a bit of a surf and a barbecue.
Bring a Case Discussion and we will provide you with the opportunity to present it to your peers. There will be a prize for the best one on the day.
If you fancy a surf sign up below. Boards and teaching provided,Bring your own wet-suit, £30 per person, 6-8pm.
9:00 Welcome Welsh cakes
10:00 Medicolegal Spines
Sue Edwards
11:00 Navigated Spines
Neil Orpen
11:40 Lunch and industry OSCEs
13:40 The back and beyond
Innes Morton
14:20 Afternoon tea
14:40 Case presentations
Sunset: BBQ
Surfing
Hiking
Timetable
Sponsors
This conference cannot occur in this format without sponsorship. Our spinal industry partners have generously donated sponsorship money so that the venue and conference dinner are covered. Our sole contributions as delegates are our time and fuel. Many thanks to our generous sponsors:
Location
This conference is being held in the Worms Head Hotel, located in an area of outstanding beauty in Rhossili village. You will be able to enjoy a range of activities while you are here:
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Culture: Locally you can explore the heritage sites devoted to the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
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Surfing: If you fancy going for a surf you can hire gear by contacting [to be updated]
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Beach sports: We will provide equipment for beach sports such as volleyball, football and rugby.
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Hiking: Bring your boots and we will take you on a scenic walk through the natural beauty of Rhossili
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Music: The talented 'Leo and Grace' are going to be putting on an acoustic show on Friday evening
Rhossili, Gower, Swansea
SA3 1PP
Accommodation
The Worms Head Hotel
There are 16 rooms available for attendees, breakfast is included.
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Five twin share rooms
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Eleven double rooms
We are currently gathering funding in the hopes that we will be able to make this accommodation free for conference attendees. If this happens it will be given on a first come first serve basis, so if you are interested please sign up to be on our accommodation list below.
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Parking
There is a large National Trust Car Park directly outside the hotel which is free to members, or £5 per day to non-National Trust members. This may be your incentive to join up for a year.
Motorhomes and camping
If you decide to make the most of your trip to Rhossili Bay and bring your motorhome or tent please let us know and we will do our best to secure you an excellent spot within walking distance of the venue. Please select the ticket option of 'no-accommodation required' and also contact us so we can set you up.
Other options
There are other hotels in the vicinity of Rhossili bay but they are not associated with this conference and so attendees will have to organise payment and transport to the conference venue themselves. Options include:
Contact us
RSVP
Join us for the 2019 South West Wales Spinal Surgery Conference in Rhossili, Wales. This conference is open to all levels except for medical students.
Please select tickets for the days that you want to attend. This way we can keep track of numbers and make sure you are well taken care of.
Meet the team
Meet the South West Spines 2019 Organising Committee
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Iona Collins: Chair of SWS 2019 and Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon
Daniel Thomas: Team Leader of SWS 2019 and Swansea University medical student
William Wills-Wood: Communication and logistics, and Swansea University medical student
Jenna Boss: Entertainment and accomodation and Swansea University medical student
Ana Springall De Pablo: Catering and tissue engineering, and Swansea University medical student
Virginia H Dale: Website design and Swansea University medical student
Special thanks to
Alice Eaton and Stephanie Derwent-Smith for the stunning images of Rhossili Bay and surrounds
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