This National Scientific Congress is the only major scientific meeting in Australia for the 2014 calendar year. It is an opportunity for Australian anaesthetists to ensure that we practise state of the art clinical care for our patients.

The theme for the 2014 NSC is Practice, Precision and Professionalism. This is reflected in the choice of international and Australian invited speakers. William Harrop-Griffiths and David Bogod  from the United Kingdom to explore issues in Regional Anaesthesia, Obstetric Anaesthesia, Medicine and the Law and Professional and Ethical Conduct. Michael Barrington is the Australian invited speaker and will discuss issues with ultrasound, vascular access and regional anaesthesia. The Kester Brown lecturer is Mr. Tony Morris QC, who was famously chair of the Bundaberg Hospital Commission of Inquiry in a distinguished legal career.

Added to this is an extensive program of refresher course lectures, SIG lectures and workshops, research and poster presentations and a new stream of sessions focused on practice management and professional issues. There will be opportunity to participate in both workshops and small group discussion activities.

I will be presenting a workshop on Final Exam Tips for Anaesthesia trainees on Monday in Room 5 at 1300-1430. 

The panel discussion in which Drs Mulcahy, Goulding, Miller, Fairweather, Moses and myself will be participating: “My Future Practice – How it will look in 5 years time?” scheduled for Sunday in Room 6 a 1330-1500 promises to be provocative and lively!

The NSC will be a great opportunity to promote the ASA CPD compendium – designed to help busy anaesthetists track their continuing education activities.