BSSH Scientific Meeting 2026

After the joint BSSH/AAHS meeting in Edinburgh, the organizations are planning a relaxed Ryder Cup style golf day in St. Andrews on Saturday, November 7, 2026. At this stage the planning team is gauging interest to look at the feasibility of the event. Mike Hayton is the BSSH ‘Ryder Cup’ representative, and Mike is collaborating with Warren Hammert and Harvey Chim from AAHS to organise this event.

The tentative plan is to play a round of golf on one of the stunning St. Andrews Links courses (likely the Eden or Jubilee course – TBC), followed by dinner and informal awards at the iconic Forgan House, overlooking the 18th green of the Old Course. Forgan House is the 2nd Club House of the R&A overlooking the Old Course 18th green.

Most who participate in the Ryder Cup will likely travel from Edinburgh to St. Andrews on Friday evening, November 6, 2026, after the conference. For those preferring a later start, Saturday morning travel would also be possible but the last tee time on Saturday is likely to be 11:00 am due to shorter daylight. St. Andrews is a small town and everywhere is within walkable distance. BSSH will provide housing accommodation recommendations for all budgets for those interested in participating in the Ryder Cup.

Travel:

• By car from Edinburgh: approximately 75–90 minutes (car sharing from Edinburgh likely available)
• By train: Edinburgh to Leuchars, then a short 20–30 minute taxi to St. Andrews
• Group taxis/minibuses would also be available to organize individually or as a group

Draft itinerary:

• Friday evening: Casual gathering at the legendary Dunvegan Pub
• Saturday morning tee times (course TBC, aiming for last tee-off by 11:00 due to shorter daylight)
• Saturday evening dinner & awards at Forgan House, the R&A's second clubhouse

Fees to participate will follow once interest has been confirmed. These two courses are excellent and adjacent to the Old Course. 2025 Green Fees: Eden £55; Jubilee £105. 

If you would like to participate in the Ryder Cup or continue to receive information about this golf event, please contact mikehayton@gmail.com to register your interest

In a change to our traditional format, all accepted abstracts will be podium presentations and must be presented in person. We will not be running e-poster sessions at this meeting. Instead, successful submissions will be assigned either as a free paper or an emerging concept and given a slot within the programme.

Once abstracts have been scored, if accepted, they will be assigned a presentation time slot on the programme of either 7 minutes, 5 minutes or 3 minutes.

All accepted abstracts will be presented orally. 

Free Papers will be the highest-ranked studies with mature data and strong scientific or clinical impact or focused, high-quality studies with robust early or confirmatory results.

Emerging Concepts will include innovative ideas, case reports or small series, technical developments and new clinical approaches.

Abstract submission instructions

• Abstract title must not exceed 30 words
• Abstracts must not exceed 300 words
• Please write the title of the abstract in sentence case
• Tables, graphs or other graphic elements will not be accepted, and should not be included in the abstract
• It is recommended that the following headings are used when submitting abstracts:
  - Aims
  - Methods 
  - Results
  - Conclusions
  - An introduction should not be included unless essential 

Abstract Themes 

The BSSH has introduced eight themes in which the abstracts are to be submitted in. Please see below a list of these themes:

For more information and guidance on the eight themes, please click here. 

Please note to add the Senior Author as the last Author on your abstract submission. Please also include their name in the text box at the bottom of the Abstract Authors page.

When submitting, please indicate if you want your abstract to be considered as a Free Paper or Emerging Concept and which of the 8 topics/categories it falls under.

Please note that post scoring, the scientific committee reserve the right to reallocate submissions to alternative formats or topics, regardless of the category they were submitted under.

By submitting this abstract, if selected, you agree to your name and institution/hospital appearing in the NXT abstract book and in the online and printed programme and that you have the permission of all the authors for this.

Submit your abstract

Click here to submit your abstract. 

Deadline: Monday 13 July 2026

The BSSH are delighted to announce that in partnership with KLS Martin, we will be holding a drink and canape reception in the Jacobite Room at the famous Edinburgh Castle. This will be held on Wednesday 4th November from 19.00pm. This will also include a private viewing of the Scottish Crown Jewels on arrival (at 19.00pm). 

The Jacobite Room boasts magnificent high ceilings and superb views of the Edinburgh skyline in a flexible and modern space within an 18th-century building.

Venue
Castlehill
Edinburgh 
EH1 2NG 

CLICK HERE for information on getting to the venue.

Tickets cost £30 inclusive of VAT

Dresscode: Smart/Casual

The registration to drinks reception is within the main registration form. 

The BSSH Society dinner will take place on Thursday 5 November from 19.30, come along for a 3 course meal and entertainment at:

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1JF

CLICK HERE for information on getting to the venue.

Evening Schedule:

BSSH and our guest society members who are attending the full meeting (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) will receive a reduced price ticket for the dinner at £50 plus VAT (£60).

Tickets for non-members, members registering for one day only, and any guests cost £100 plus VAT (£120).

Dresscode: Formal Black Tie - dress to impress

The registration to the Society Dinner is within the main registration form. 

Main Scientific Meeting 

Wednesday 4th November, Thursday 5th November and Friday 6th November 2026. 

Registration links will be published soon. 

Early bird registration rates:

Standard registration rates:

Please see a list of hotels near by the conference venue EICC below for booking. 

Sheraton Grand

1 Festival Sq, Edinburgh EH3 9SR

8 minutes walk to the conference venue

Click here to make a booking 

Mercure Haymarket

38 Gardner's Cres, Edinburgh EH3 8DQ

6 minutes walk to the conference venue 

Click here to make a booking 

Moxy Fountainbridge

2 Freer Gait, Edinburgh EH3 9FR

9 minutes walk to the conference centre 

Click here to make a booking 

Point A

152 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EB

1 minute walk to the conference centre 

Click here to make a booking 

Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Haymarket

Torphichen St, Edinburgh EH3 8JB

4 minutes walk to the conference centre 

Click here to make a booking 

Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket

1 Morrison Link, Edinburgh EH3 8DN

4 minutes walk to the conference centre 

Click here to make a booking 

Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End

166 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9RX

10 minutes walk to the conference centre 

Click here to make a booking