Almost 100 delegates met at the Douglas Hotel in Aberdeen from the 20th to the 23rd September 2006.
Thanks have to go to David Bell and Ken Lawton for organizing a fantastic conference which included a comprehensive programme of social and scientific events. Soon after registration members enjoyed a welcoming buffet dinner which included haggis and tatties (potatoes) followed by a ceilidh. Other social events included a bus tour of Aberdeen as well as a choice of visits to Crathes, a baronial castle with famous gardens and almost unchanged since it was first built in the 16th century. Its glorious architecture reminiscent of the great French châteaux and the nearby ruined castle of Dunnottar an impressive ruined fortress dating from the 12th century, built on a cliff overhanging the North Sea. It was recently the scene of a modern film version of Hamlet featuring Mel Gibson. Delegates also experienced a choice of walking tours of the old city and a gala dinner held at the Town Hall with guest speaker Billy Kay who delighted everyone with the close associations between France and Scotland.
Although most delegates left on the Saturday some members found time after the farewell lunch to visit Glenfiddich Distillery and sample the delights of this world famous whisky. Those who also stayed behind completed the day with a meal at the highly rated Nazma restaurant in the centre of Aberdeen.
The scientific programme at the conference offered a wide range of informative presentations over the three days and the society passes on its thanks to those members who presented at the sessions. The 4 Miss Ford student presentations this year were of the highest standard.
Scientific programme
Thursday 21st September
8h30 Official Opening of the Meeting : Welcome by the Presidents. Allocution d’accueil par les présidents de l’AFMS et l’AFMB
8h45-9h15 “Psychiatric Legislation in the UK and France – Similarities and Differences” Dr Benjamin Berg
9h00-9h30 “Newbury Psychiatric Service( or Cannabis)” Dr Flavia Leslie
9h45-10h30 “ Organising a Network with Professionals for Type II Diabetics in Haute Normandie ” Dr Michel Dubuisson
10h30-11h00 Café pause
11h00-11h30 “Genetics presentation” Prof. Neva Haites
11h30-12h00 “Triathlon” Dr Phillipe Dalmard
12h00-12h30 “What killed Beethoven” Dr Mark Cottrill
12h30-13h00 Résumé et conclusion de la session
Friday 22nd September
8h30-9h10 “Palliative care” – Staff Roxburgh House
9h10-9h30 “Fundoplication” Mr Z. Krukowski
9h30h-10h30 Miss Ford Prize Student Presentations Après selection parmi des étudiants Britanniques ayant séjourné en stage et développé un projet en pays francophone
10h30 –11h00 Café pause
11h30 Annual General Meetings of the AFMS / AMFB
Saturday 23rd September
9h15-9h45 “Radiology topic” Dr Nicola Strickland
9h30-10h “Joint presentation – on the Polish School of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh 1941-1949” Professor Henryk Urich and Dr Kazimierz Nowak
10h-10h30 “Quelques anecdotes sur les debuts de l’anesthésie ou Epidémie de Chicungunya” Dr Alain Jean
10h30-11h Café pause
11h-11h30 Dental topics Mr N. Rennie and Mr C. Gray
11h30-12h Une Expérience Médicale au Sénégal” Dr Maya Le Pennec
12h30-13h Résumé et conclusion de la session
Social programme
Wednesday 20th September
Registration from 1800 hr at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
19h00 : Reception and buffet meal and Ceilidh
Thursday 21st September
9h City Tour of Aberdeen on an open topped bus …visiting the main sites – Beach, Old Aberdeen, Duthie Park, Marischal College (requires a 500 yard walk from the hotel to the bus stop)
12h30 Lunch at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel (joining scientific delegates)
14h Coach for all delegates in 2 groups visiting Crathes or Dunnottar Castles
Crathes is a baronial castle on Royal Deeside with famous gardens and a guided tour in two groups
Dunnottar is a ruined castle on a rocky promontory where Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden from the English. Zeffereli filmed Hamlet here. Some walking involved – the castle is approximately half a mile from the car park.
17h30 Approximate return to Hotel (visitors from Dunnottar may arrive earlier with time to visit the Maritime Museum, approximately 5 minutes walk from the Hotel)
Evening Free – delegates’ packs will include a “What’s On” guide for choices of eating and entertainment in Aberdeen
Friday 22nd September
9h Visit to Winter Gardens, Duthie Park including coffee break – (coach from the hotel – Winter Gardens and 120,000 rose bushes, some walking)
12h30 Lunch at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel (joining scientific delegates)
14h Walking tour of Old Aberdeen or New Aberdeen (Option of two different walks: Old Aberdeen’s mediaeval university site, Cathedral or “Granite City”: 18th – 20th C buildings)
19h00 Tour of Town and Country Hall (less than 5 minutes walk from hotel)
Welcome by the Lord Provost….followed by Gala Dinner in company of Lord and Lady Provost and the French Consul General After dinner speaker – Billy Kay (author of “Knee deep in Claret”) (dress ‘smart casual’ – not formal – approximate finish time 23h)
Saturday 23rd September
Morning Free in Aberdeen Town
12h30 Farewell lunch at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel and close of meeting
14h30 Post conference programme (optional): Coach visit to Glenfiddich Malt Whisky Distillery<
20h Dinner at the Nazma Restaurant (in Aberdeen – 10 minutes walk from the hotel)