History and Picture Gallery

Founded in 2003, the BPNS aims to bring together physicians and scientists interested in peripheral nerve disease in Britain in order to share information and resources, and improve the management of and research into peripheral nerve disease.

We have met twice yearly since inception and have held two international meetings with peripheral nerve colleagues from Italy and from Netherlands/Belgium. Our national biannual meetings have a clinical emphasis - our tradition has been to focus on interesting case presentations and discussion. In addition each meeting invites local colleagues to share expertise on a diverse range of topics, from ion channel electrophysiopathies to autonomic neuropathies. In addition, we have a discussion forum for difficult clinical management issues with the aim of informing future guidelines.

Our Society is friendly, inclusive and informative and we welcome new members and suggestions for taking us forward

The society offers travel bursaries to assist trainees in attending national and international meetings, and beginning in 2021 will also offer a prize of five hundred pounds at each scientific meeting for the best case presentation by a trainee.

The BPNS website first appeared in 2010, written by Dr Adrian Fowle, with a separate system for emailing members. In 2016 a new website was professionally created by Illuminaries, incorporating improved functionality such as the member database, meeting registration and abstract submission.  

In 2026 we were recognised as a charity, specifically a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), after great efforts led by Dr Aisling Carr. 

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BPNS Spring Meeting 2026 Belfast 

 

The British Peripheral Nerve Society Teaching Day and Spring Meeting took place on 19-20 March under the guidance of Dr. John McConville, Consultant Neurologist, Ulster Hospital Dundonald.

The meeting, hailed as a huge success, was held in the auspicious Titanic Hotel and Dr McConville welcomed all in attendance as well as those delegates attending on-line. He opened the meeting by welcoming BPNS members, presenters, judges, delegates, guests and sponsors. The Conference provided an ideal opportunity to showcase Belfast in all it’s glory. He enthused, “I am delighted to have you join us for what promises to be an inspiring and productive meeting.” Beautiful, sunny weather with the backdrop of maritime Belfast contributed to making the few days a wonderful success and a memorable one.

Under the banner, ‘Promoting clinical education and knowledge of peripheral nerve diseases,’ both days did in fact prove to be informative, educational and extremely helpful to all who attended and contributed. The coffee and lunch breaks allowed the delegates an informal, welcome space to re-acquaint with each other and make new connections.

 

Invited speakers 

A particular thanks goes to the excellent invited speakers who enlightened us with their talks:

• Dr Nicholas Sanderson, Clinical Neuroimmunology Laboratory, University of Basel who spoke on ‘Molecular mechanisms of complement activation in autoantibody-driven diseases’
• Dr Grace McMacken Academic Clinical Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast speaking on ‘Hereditary Neuropathies with vocal cord paralysis: A Northern Irish Experience’
• Professor Anna Olsson-Brown, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Professor of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Trials, University College Cork and Cork University Hospital, who lead our discussion forum on ‘CIPN (and beyond): A Problem for Oncology or Neurology?’

 

2026 prizewinners

There were two resident doctor book prizes of £500 for first prize and £300 runner-up prize which were awarded for the best presentations.

First Prize went to Dr Eva Tallon, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin (below), for her presentation, 'A Rare Cause of Foot Drop: Primary Lymphona of the Peripheral Nerve'.

Second prize was awarded to Dr Marie Ryan, UCL, Queen’s Square (below), for her presentation, 'Long Journey, Early Stop – Prion Protein Systemic Amyloidosis'.

 

Summary of attendee feedback (medians and ranges)

Quality of the venue:  5 (range 3-5)
Quality of the catering: 4.5 (range 4-5)
Quality of the invited speakers: 5 (range 4-5)

 

Photo gallery