Meetings

  • This meeting is open to BPNS members and other professionals working in relevant areas, but not to patients or members of the general public without advance permission.
BPNS Spring Meeting 2026: IN PERSON
Start Date
End Date
Friday 20 Mar 2026 10:00 AM
Friday 20 Mar 2026 17:00 PM
Location
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Details

Our usual mix of case presentations (neurology/neurophysiology) and invited lectures is of interest to trainees/consultants and nerve specialists/non-specialists alike.  This years meeting will take place at the Titanic Hotel, Belfast.  The meeting is in person or virtual via Vimeo, with pricing the same for both to reflect rising AV costs and encourage in-person attendance; pricing includes lunch and coffee/tea breaks for in-person attendees.  There will be a dinner after the meeting which is booked separately on the website (dinner listed as a separate meeting).  We rely on attendees submitting abstracts to present - please do so via this page: https://www.bpns.org.uk/abstract-submit.aspx; there are prizes for best trainee case presentations: Ist is £500 and 2nd is £300, so consider submitting or encourage your trainees to do so!

This page is for those planning to attend IN PERSON only (if planning to attend ONLINE, use this page to view the programme, but please register through the ONLINE page).

Sponsorship has been provided by the Companies below covering the cost of the meeting venue and subsistence.  These companies listed have had no input into the content or organisation of the meeting.  No monies from sponsors were used towards the prizes awarded.  SPONSORS: Argenx, Grifols and Takeda.

The education course and BPNS spring meeting will be held in the Titanic Hotel.  The hotel is housed in a beautifully restored former headquarters of Harland & Wolff, the shipyard where the RMS Titanic was constructed.  It is located near the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction, which is a stunning museum dedicated to the Titanic’s story.  The hotel is easily accessible from Belfast City airport:

  • 15 minute taxi ride

  • 20-25 min bus ride (Bus 600 from Belfast City airport to Queen Square, Bus G2 from Custom House Square to Titanic stop)

And from Belfast Grand Central Station:

  • 20 min taxi ride

  • 20 min bus ride (Bus 600 to Queen Square, Bus G2 from Custom House Square to Titanic)

If travelling from the island of Ireland bus and rail links are regular and reliable.  If flying from England, Scotland or Wales, we recommend Belfast City airport which supports multiple flights per day from all regional airports.  Belfast International airport is another option but is slightly further from the city (1 hour bus: 300a to Belfast Grand central Station).  Early booking is recommended but cost for a return flight is between £50 and £120 per person. 

A limited number of rooms (20) have been reserved by the meetings for attendees at £139 B&B single occupancy per room, please contact the hotel directly to make your reservation (booking code 329939).  There are multiple other reasonably priced options for accommodation in the area. 

The conference meal will be held in the hotel on Thursday evening 19th March at 7:30 pm.  The cost will be £50 per person and include a pre-dinner drink and 3 course dinner.  A maximum of 50 places are available so early booking is recommended (the dinner is listed as a separate 'meeting' on the website, so book through that page). 

We look forward to seeing you all in Belfast.  Céad míle fáilte

Dr John McConville, consultant neurologist & local organiser

Ulster Hospital Dundonald

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Cost for associate members is £50, for ordinary members £70, and for non-members £90 for the meeting registration (lunch and refreshments included).  Due to PayPal changes, our payment system through the website doesn't work, so instead register through the website 'for free' and then pay separately through bank transfer, with reference 'YOURNAME-SM': account number 30216135; sort code 20 17 35. 

Programme
DateTimeType Presenter
Fri 20 Mar 202609:00Registration  
Fri 20 Mar 202610:00Lecture Welcome and Housekeeping Dr Aisling Carr and Dr John McConville
Fri 20 Mar 202610:05Lecture Molecular mechanisms of complement activation in autoantibody-driven diseases Dr Nicholas Sanderson, Clinical Neuroimmunology Laboratory, University of Basel
Fri 20 Mar 202610:50Abstract CIDP: Current Scope of Practice in UK. Dr Stephen Keddie
Fri 20 Mar 202611:05Abstract IVIg brand switch results in reports of decreased efficacy and new symptoms in patients with various neurological conditions Dr Kirstyn Gardner-Stephen
Fri 20 Mar 202611:20Refreshment Morning Coffee  
Fri 20 Mar 202611:45Abstract A rare cause of 'foot drop' Dr Eva Tallon
Fri 20 Mar 202612:00Abstract When IVIg Fails- The New Frontier of Neuropathy: Case Based Discussion AKM Jamiur Rahman
Fri 20 Mar 202612:15Abstract Facial Onset Sensory-Motor Neuropathy in a Taxidermist Dr John McConville
Fri 20 Mar 202612:30Refreshment Lunch  
Fri 20 Mar 202613:30Lecture Hereditary Neuropathies with vocal cord paralysis: A Northern Irish Experience Dr Grace McMacken Academic Clinical Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast
Fri 20 Mar 202614:00Abstract A Calorie Crisis Dr William Bierrum
Fri 20 Mar 202614:15Abstract Acquired Pyridoxal Phosphate (Vitamin B6) Deficiency as the Mechanism for Neuropathy in POEMS Syndrome Prof Michael Lunn
Fri 20 Mar 202614:30Abstract Long Journey, Early Stop Dr Marie Ryan
Fri 20 Mar 202614:45Refreshment Afternoon Tea  
Fri 20 Mar 202615:10Abstract “Same, Same but Different”?: two cases of isolated peripheral focal motor demyelination Dr Aine Redmond
Fri 20 Mar 202615:25Abstract A taxing acute ataxia Dr Rob Hadden
Fri 20 Mar 202615:40Abstract "Refractory CIDP?" Always think again Dr Niall Doherty
Fri 20 Mar 202615:55Abstract NEON: New and Emerging Oncological Neurotoxicities Dr Charalambos Hadjicharalambous
Fri 20 Mar 202616:10Refreshment Comfort Break  
Fri 20 Mar 202616:20Discussion Forum CIPN: A Problem for Oncology or Neurology?  
Fri 20 Mar 202617:05Close Closing Remarks and Prizes  

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