GWSSA Spring Meeting, 27th February 2026
Location: the Studio, Glasgow.

We met in February 2026 for a near sell-out spring meeting with a fantastic and varied day of learning, inspirational speakers and networking. Topics included:

• Prof. Naveed Sattar – Anti-obesity drugs.
• Dr Ursula Altmeyer – Diagnostic Stewardship.
• Mr Domitrios Damaskos – Futility in emergency laparotomy.
• Dr Geoffrey Warnock – Thrombectomy: revolutionary therapy, postcode lottery.
• Dr Greg Jones – Neurodiversity in the medical workforce.
• Dr Alison Harper – Thriving under pressure.
• Prof Jarrod Homer – Endurance in adversity: the Marathon des Sables.
• Dr Janie Collie – Presidential Address.

We had over 60 delegates including Consultants, registrars and speakers join us for the 2026 GWSSA spring meeting. The morning session began with Prof Naveed Sattar going through the reason for obesity (environment, food seduction, widening gulf of socioeconomic status). He also highlighted that with patients living longer we now see more severe pathophysiological changes in this group such as CKD/renal failure, LV failure etc. The newer anti-obesity agents are showing minimal serious side effects in recent trials, and have an effect on multiple systems as well as weight reduction.

We then heard from Dr Ursula Altmeyer who explained how we are drowning in a fog of data, often testing things that we already know and this can lead to harm. There is a cost associated with tests that are not diagnostically relevant, such as unneccessary antimicrobial therapy and prolonged length of stay. We need to shift our mindset from that of an IN/OUT / transactional one, to that of one which allows us a clearer path from clinical question to solution. Other ways to improve include taking the sample correctly to decrease contamination, and filling in requests properly with some clinical information!

The morning session was rounded off by Mr Domitrios Domaskos who spoke about futility in emergency laparotomy, speaking of the ethical implications, limitations of risk scoring, cultural variations in medical practice, and how we can view futility both quantitatively and qualitatively.

In the second session we heard from Dr Greg Jones on neurodiversity in the medical workforce with a recent NES survey showing a 3.3% self-declaration of neurodiversity (out of only an 8.5% response rate). He detailed the spectrum of neurodiversity and how some things may be easier and some things harder. There is support available however special measures taken e.g. specialist laptops may not follow the individual between healthboards and this is something that needs to be addressed. Support includes coaching, exam support, interpersonal skills. The 2nd session was finished by Dr. Geoffrey Warnock who spoke about the exciting role of thrombectomy in stroke management but that the UK and Scotland are currently underperfoming on general stroke care. Thrombectomy remains a postcode lottery in the UK and ambitious treatment targets have been set, with stroke set to rise to nearly double current numbers by 2035.

After lunch we heard from psychologist Dr Alison Harper who spoke about dealing with pressure. The NHS is prone to pressure: long-hours, culture of stoicism, dealing with crises and this all leads to emotional loading and mistakes. She highlighted there are things we can control whihc is our response and this influences our thoughts and our behaviour. We then heard from Prof Jarrod Homer who participated in the Marathon des Sables (Morocco). This involved training in hot/humid conditions, incredible preparation with weight and caloric load being very important, and he detailed the difficult conditions through which participants would have to battle.

The final talk of the day was the presidential address by GWSSA President Dr Janie Collie, who took us not just through her career but through her families lives which began in Scotland / Seychelles, and the twist and turns their paths took and how she has reflected on this journey. A very unique and inspirational talk.

Copies of all presentations have been shared to delegates, please contact gwssaupdates@gmail.com if you wish to access these.

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