|
Hello Visitor,
The TSANZ and the ANZSRS conference committees had been working closely with both the TSANZ Branch Executives and the ANZSRS Regional chairs in planning Hub events as part of the 2022 TSANZSRS conference with the aim of creating opportunities for members and stakeholders to come together as part of the conference to network and engage in our usual robust scientific discussions.
In parallel, the TSANZ and ANZSRS Boards have been monitoring the current situation across Australia and New Zealand with regards to the COVID pandemic and any potential impact this may have on our ability to hold the Hub events within each Branch as part of the 2022 TSANZSRS scientific conference.
Unfortunately, it has become clearer over December and into the New Year that community cases and hospitalisations are going to remain at unacceptable levels into March and there is likely to be persistent pressure on clinical workloads and risks of significant impact on workforce availability for all our members. As peak respiratory health bodies supporting our professions, we need to also be cognisant of not exposing our members to increased risks and the reputational risks for respiratory health organisations holding a face-to-face conference that may subsequently impact on our ability to deliver appropriate healthcare, education and research activities.
In the first half of January, we consulted with the TSANZ and ANZSRS Branches on the viability of holding a Hub event in their region. The overwhelming feedback was that the risks outweighed the benefits and that we should not proceed. As such the joint Boards have made the difficult decision to not proceed with the Hub events as part of the 2022 TSANZSRS conference.
We recognise that the TSANZ and ANZSRS conference organising committees, in particular Shannon Simpson and Lauren Bussell, and the combined TSANZ and ANZSRS Branches leadership group have been diligently working towards an engaging Hub program. The ANZSRS and TSANZ Boards would like to thank all involved for their remarkable contributions. We acknowledge many members will be disappointed in this decision and we will work towards developing other face to face events in the latter half of the year.
The virtual program for the conference has now been finalised and includes some fantastic national and international invited speakers and showcases the latest clinical and research lung health practices. You can see the latest program here. We remind members that early bird registrations close on Friday 11 February, and we encourage you all to take this opportunity to register now.
Warm regards
Professor John Upham Mr Danny Brazzale
President, TSANZ President, ANZSRS
|
