UK medical conferences affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Several important medical conferences and annual meetings of societies that were scheduled for March, April and May 2020 in the UK have been either cancelled or postponed in reaction to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Medical professionals have an increased risk for exposure to COVID-19. A large congregation of these professionals in a single place augments the risk.

Key conferences affected in the UK include:

• Diabetes UK Professional Conference (DUKPC) in Glasgow, which was scheduled for 18-20 March has been cancelled.
• British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) Annual Conference in Glasgow, which was scheduled for 20-22 April has been cancelled.
• British Society of Haematology (BSH) Annual Scientific Meeting in Birmingham, which was scheduled for 26-29 April has been cancelled.
• International Liver Congress (ILC) in London, which was scheduled for 15-19 April has been rescheduled for 25-28 August at the same venue.
• Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Annual Conference in Birmingham, which was scheduled for 23-24 April has been rescheduled for 7-8 January 2021.
• Royal College of Anaesthetists' Anaesthesia 2020 in Old Trafford, which was scheduled for 18-20 May has been postponed to 18-20 May 2021.