Twelfth Annual Conference of the

BRITISH MATERNAL AND

FETAL MEDICINE SOCIETY

Tuesday 17th - Wednesday 18th April 2007

Waterfront Hall - Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

DATES AND VENUE

The meeting will commence with registration at 08.00 hrs on Tuesday 17^th April 2007 and conclude at 17.00 hrs on Wednesday 18^th April 2007. 

Registration, lectures and catering will take place at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. In the heart of the city of Belfast, Waterfront Hall has been designed as a multi-purpose venue with ultra-modern facilities to accommodate business, conference, arts and entertainment events. . 

TRAVEL

As you would expect from a major city, Cardiff benefits from close links to major road and rail networks with Cardiff and Bristol Airports

situated within a twenty five mile radius. 

BY AIR

Belfast is served by two airports:

1. Belfast City Airport (www.belfastcityairport.com); Tel: 028 9093 9093),

   situated three miles from the city centre.




2. Belfast International Airport (www.belfastairport.com); Tel: 028 9448 4848),
       situated in Aldegrove, a 30 minute drive from the city centre

Many daily flights link Belfast’s two airports with the four London airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted and airlines
    also operate daily direct flights to a number of UK regional airports:

N.B. These routes were operating at the time of press.

Delegates are advised to book early to take advantage of low cost fares:

BY SEA

Stena Line operates a ferry service between Stranraer and Belfast, and Fleetwood to Larne (www.stenaline.com).

P&O Irish Sea operate the shortest and quickest ferry crossing between Cairnyran, Scotland to Larne, Northern Ireland. There is a 1 hour express crossing or a 2 hour superferry crossing. They also operate a service between Troon, Scotland and Larne, Northern Ireland which is a 2 hour crossing (www.poirishsea.com).

Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries operate a day and overnight crossing between Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Belfast which is a 8 hour crossing (www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk).

COMPLIMENTARY RETURN COACH TRANSFER

There will be a complimentary coach service to transfer delegates to Belfast City and Belfast International Airport from the Waterfront Hall at the close of the meeting at 17.30 hours on Wednesday 18^th April.

CAR PARKING

The car parks at Waterfront Hall are privately owned and operated, and all parking is multi-storey. There are two car parks: the Hilton Hotel car park beside the Waterfront Hall and Lanyon Place car park which is just 100 metres from Waterfront Hall. The car parks have a total capacity of over 800 spaces. There are accessible spaces available on the ground level of the Hilton car park. Access to both car parks is from Oxford Street opposite St Georges Market or East Bridge Street beside Central Station. There is a special conference rate of £8.00 from 08.00 to 20.00 hours or £1.80 per hour. In order to qualify for this special rate, you need to obtain a voucher from the Conference Registration desk to present upon exit at the car park.

PROGRAMME AND ACCREDITATION

MEET THE EXPERTS SESSION

Following on from the success of the ‘Meet the Experts’ session’ in 2006, sessions have been included in the 2007 Scientific Programme. Clinical and Educational topics include VBAC, IUGR and Diabetes. Please indicate on the registration form your first and second choice of session. We will endeavour to meet your choice, however the meeting space is restricted. A confirmation of your place at a session will be included with your registration confirmation paperwork.

DEBATE 

The 2007 Scientific Programme will include a controversial debate “All twins should be delivered by caesarean section”, scheduled to take place on Wednesday 18th April.

CPD ACCREDITATION

This meeting may be deemed suitable for your Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Continuing Professional Development Programme (CPD).  All participants will be issued with certificates of attendance.

CIVIC RECEPTION AND SOCIETY DINNER, BELFAST CITY HALL

This will take place on Tuesday 17th April. Belfast City Council is kindly hosting a pre dinner drinks reception which will be held at 19.45 hours in the Main Rotunda prior to dinner in the Great Hall at 20.15 hours. Belfast City Hall was opened in 1906 and is built in classical Renaissance style in Portland stone. Its crowning features are the main dome with a whispering gallery and the grand staircase designed in three types of Italian marble.

Please note that the cost of the Society Dinner and Dance is included in the Registration Fee; however places are limited and to ensure a place is reserved it is important that you complete the relevant section on the Registration Form.