In this week’s article, our Clinical Director, Karen Wares, shares more information about IPS Conference 2021, explains why GAMA Healthcare is an event sponsor and highlights the sessions she is most looking forward to.

The GAMA Healthcare highlight of the year is nearly upon us, the annual Infection Prevention Society (IPS) Conference!

Last year, the IPS held a virtual Autumn webinar series in lieu of the annual conference, which was sadly cancelled because of the COVID-19 restrictions. However, this year the three-day conference, in its 13th year, is going ahead as a hybrid event (both in person and virtually) from the 27th-29th September at the ACC, Liverpool.

The Scientific Programme Committee have navigated all the challenges presented by the pandemic and have done a fantastic job in putting together another thought-provoking programme, presenting the latest scientific evidence from around the globe. This will enable delegates to recognise, understand and address current and emerging risks in IPC.

Why do we support the IPS?

Martin Kiernan and I have supported the IPS for many years. I’ve been a member and past coordinator of the Scientific Programme Committee for 7 Years and recently become the Deputy Scotland Branch Coordinator, while Martin is a Past President of the Infection Prevention Society and regularly presents and chairs sessions.

“GAMA’s mission to help prevent infections to save and improve lives, aligns perfectly with the IPS mission. Since 2006 we have exhibited and supported the IPS conference, creating many memories and friendships along the way. We’re proud to continually support IPS, our Clinical Directors and thrilled to be Platinum sponsors of IP2021.”

Dr. Guy Braverman, Joint CEO and Co-Founder of GAMA Healthcare.

Our GAMA Healthcare sponsored session

The IPS has a track record of attracting the best speakers from around the world and this year is no exception. This September, our invited speaker for our sponsored session, on Tuesday 28th September, is Dr David Jay Weber, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Epidemiology in the UNC School of Medicine, and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina.

Dr. Weber is a household name in the world of IPC and has published more than 470 scientific papers. His session Strategies to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Transmission to Healthcare Personnel – will be discussing mitigation strategies including COVID-19 vaccine, aerosol transmission and mitigation, physical distancing, hand hygiene and surface disinfection.

Other session highlights

This year there are too many to mention! From measles to surgical site infections to Hotel Quarantine – the programme offers something for everyone. Highly recommended is the esteemed, and not to be missed, Cottrell Lecture which will be delivered by Professor Heather Loveday and also the Ayliffe Lecture (dedicated to the memory of the late Professor Ayliffe) by Peter Hoffman.

Monday

• Carole Hallam discusses the burden of device related infections and a collaborative approach for improvement.
• Dr Maggie Davies shares her challenges of being the Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control (Life in the Grey Zone) in the COVID-19 pandemic and Dr Susan Hopkins shares her life in the hot seat as Chief Medical Advisor for Public Health England.

Tuesday

• Dr Evonne Curran interrogates guideline development and why guidelines let us down.
• Prof. Sally Bloomfield reflects on the lessons from COVID-19 and asks how do we re-engage the public to play their vital role in preventing spread of infection.
• At the close of day 2 we highly recommend joining our Clinical Director, Martin Kiernan, as he quizzes renowned experts from the world of Infection Prevention; Professor Jacqui Reilly, Professor Jennie Wilson, Tracey Cooper, Dr Tim Boswell and Dr Jon Otter on all the questions YOU want answers to!

Wednesday

• Professor Brett Mitchell looks at what needs to change in the world of IPC and COVID-19 .
• Dr. Joost Hopman and Dr Jimmy Walker look more closely at water as a source of infection and scrutinise the risk of sinks and showers in a new hospital built environment.
• The penultimate session will be delivered by Julie Storr reflecting on IPC in the 2020s and the need for a hard reset where IPC must be an enabler to safe compassionate care.

See you there!

Whether virtually or face-to face we are looking forward to seeing so many of you at #IP2021! Keep up to date with all of the action at IPS by following GAMA Healthcare on Twitter. For more information about this year’s IPS sessions, visit the IPS website.