News

BSCA Digital and Technology Lead

25 January 2024

Nominations are sought for a new committee member to join the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy (BSCA).

The successful applicant can be either a UK & Ireland based substantive consultant or trainee member and will join existing committee members in:

  • Promoting a better knowledge of contact dermatitis
  • Promoting best practice for patients in the investigation and management of Contact Dermatitis

The new post holder will be appointed Digital and Technology Lead on the committee subject to constitutional approval at the BSCA AGM in July 2024.

The role will include but not be limited to :

  • Managing and developing the BSCA’s social media and online presence.
  • Managing, developing and editing the BSCA website (which is run day to day by a private provider)
  • Managing the Forum and News sections of the website
  • Compiling and uploading up-to-date patch testing series onto the website

The term of office for the post will be six years although the post holder will be eligible for reselection at the end of this time. In the event of non-attendance for three consecutive committee meetings, we will advertise the post for re-election.

Prospective applicants for membership of the society must be proposed by 2 individuals:

(1) a member of the British Society of Cutaneous Allergy who is on the Dermatology specialist register, and

(2) a BAD Ordinary Member.

Nominations should be sent, to the Committee Secretary, by the 31st March 2024 and not less than two months before the Annual General Meeting in July 2024.

These nominations will be circulated with a notice of that Meeting.

16th Cardiff Cutaneous Allergy Annual Update Hybrid Meeting Wednesday 20th March 2024

18 January 2024

Prof Mabs Chowdhury and colleagues invite you to this hybrid meeting. The programme and registration details are attached under the meetings section. Contact details for Prof Chowdhury are given if you have any cases you would like to put forward for consideration. There is no course fee.

Log-in details are available to those working in Wales or England unable to attend in person.

Please contact HayesJ@cardiff.ac.uk for registration, by 12th March 2024.

16 November 2023

It was with great sadness that the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy heard that our colleague, friend and committee member Dr John McFadden died on 21 October 2023 after a long illness.

He was appointed a senior registrar in Contact Dermatitis  and then appointed consultant with academic sessions at St John’s Institute of Dermatology making up the legendary triumvirate with Dr Ian White and Dr Richard Rycroft in the “Contact Clinic”. 

Dr White recalls that John had a brilliant mind and always had a different perspective on scientific matters, which allowed him to make original and often pivotal hypotheses. He had a unique way of looking at immunological issues, which was inspiring.

His contribution to the patch testing community was huge and with his love of travel led to international collaborations, studies, lectures and highly regarded textbooks

He spent almost the last 6 months of his life as an inpatient in St. Thomas’ and then Guy’s but remained positive, planning for meetings in 2024 and delegating projects to registrars and clinical fellows. His intellect was countered by an irreverent sense of humour and kindness. He could challenge and inspire all he worked with.

Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and nursing and medical colleagues who were  able to celebrate his life at Mortlake Crematorium, Richmond on 13th November.

Graham Johnston

President of the BSCA

Congress of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) 4th to 7th September 2024, Dresden

11 November 2023

https://escd2024.com/

We are excited to announce that the registration for the Congress of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) 2024  from the 4th until the 7th September  in Dresden is now open. The congress will take place at the Conference Centre  DGUV Congress.

The  scientific program  covers a broad range of  topics in the field, including the latest advances in basic and translational research, updates on diagnostic and prevention of contact dermatitis, allergic and inflammatory skin  diseases, current and emerging therapies, and presentations on the latest clinical studies and their implications for patient care.

The ESCD congress will provide a platform for delegates and industry to network with leading experts in the field, to participate in different session formats, such as plenaries, focus sessions, educational sessions and poster presentations, to deepen the understanding of the latest research and practices in the field.

You can now submit an abstract for the conference for both oral and poster presentations. Call for abstracts will close on the 31st of March 2024.

Please see the website for details

BSCA Update Meeting 29th- 30th September 2023: Registration Open on the BAD websie

18 July 2023

https://www.bad.org.uk/events/british-society-for-cutaneous-allergy-contact-dermatitis-update-meeting/

On behalf of the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy (BSCA), we would like to welcome you to the Biennial Contact Dermatitis Update Meeting 2023.

We are pleased to be back to the in-person meeting format, and trust you will find the programme interesting and informative, and the time spent with colleagues at Crewe Hall Hotel both educational and enjoyable.

This year we have been fortunate to secure sponsorship from several pharmaceutical companies and we would like to encourage you to visit the exhibition stands.

The registration desk will be manned throughout the meeting, so please do not hesitate to stop by if there is anything we can do for you.

This meeting is a biennial update attracting 9 CPD points. Full registration for this 2-day programme includes accommodation and dinner on Friday 29th September 2023. For more information, please visit the event website via the BAD  events page, www.bad.org.uk and by clicking on “Register for event”.

 

BAD news release: consumer warning on “hypoallergenic” products

27 June 2023

https://www.bad.org.uk/warning-to-consumers-as-more-than-a-third-of-hypoallergenic-products-feature-common-allergens/

This study was released at the British Association of Dermatology Annual Meeting today, presented at the BSCA special interests group meeting.

Quoting from Prof Mabs Chowdhury, BAD president in this article:

”Its important that consumers are aware that is not not unusual for products labelled as hypoallergenic to contain common allergens”.

The study found more that 30% of personal care products, of those reviewed, marketed as “hypoallergenic” contained one or more potential allergen from the BSCA standard series, or ingredients that may cross react with them.

 

AGM of the British Society of Cutaneous Allergy at the BAD 27/6/23

27 June 2023

Following supportive votes:

We are pleased to welcome Dr Sharizan Abdul Ghaffar, elected as one of the Scottish Representatives on the BSCA committee. We are very grateful to Cathy Green for all her work as a Scottish Representative and for all her additional contributions.

The motion to amend the constitution in that the committee will include a Post Graduate Doctor Representative and a Research and Audit representative was approved.

Annual General Meeting of the BSCA Tuesday 27th June at the ICC Liverpool

5 June 2023

Notice is given of the  Annual General Meeting of the BSCA on the morning of Tuesday 27th June at the ICC Liverpool

Agenda

          President’s update

          Officers’ updates

          Committee changes

The officers and members of the Committee will be re elected at the Annual General Meeting.

A nomination has been received for a Scotland Representative from Dr Cathy Green and seconded by Dr Chandra Bertram for

Dr Sharizan Ghaffar to become one of the two Scottish regional  representatives on the BSCA committee commencing after the Summer AGM 2023

         Proposals for alteration of the Constitution at the BSCA AGM June 2023

Alterations of the constitution can only occur at an Annual General Meeting.

Notice of the proposals below by Dr G A Johnston and duly seconded by Dr D Buckley have been sent to the Committee Secretary Dr P Cousen two months before the meeting and are now circulated with the notice of that meeting one month before the meeting.

For adoption, a two-thirds majority of those voting will be necessary.

Proposal one

“There will be a Committee consisting of a President, Committee Secretary, Meetings Secretary, Treasurer “

Is changed to

“There will be a Committee consisting of a President, Committee Secretary, Meetings Secretary, Treasurer, Membership and Website Secretary and a New Consultant Representative, a Specialty and Associate Specialist Representative, a Post Graduate Doctor Representative and a Research and Audit representative  “

          AOB

 

 

Current Committee:

President:
Graham Johnston
Secretary:
Pippa Cousen
Website & Membership Secretary: 
Catherine Holden
Treasurer:
Sarah Wakelin

Meetings Secretary:
Donna Thompson

BSCA representative on the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) committee
Dierdre Buckley

New Consultant Representative 
Siobhan MacCarthy

Specialty and Associate Specialist Representative

Catherine Holden

Trainee Representative

Livia Soriano

 

Regional representation:

London and South East:
John McFadden
David Orton
Sarah Wakelin

East Midlands and East:
Graham Johnston

North East, Yorkshire and Humber: 
Philippa Cousen
Mark Wilkinson

North West:
Jason Williams

West Midlands:
Donna Thompson

South West and South Central:
Aparna Sinha
Deirdre Buckley

Wales:
Natalie Stone
Mabs Chowdhury

Ireland:
Johnny Bourke

Scotland:
Chandra Bertram
Cathy Green

British Society of Cutaneous Allergy Update Course Friday 29th to Saturday 30th September 2023

2 June 2023

British Society of Cutaneous Allergy Update Course Friday 29th to Saturday 30th September 2023.

We are delighted to announce that the biennial Update Course is in the final stages of preparation.

It is at Crewe Hall Hotel, a lovely venue: do look it up!

To express interest, please email the BAD Conference and Events Team, conference@bad.org.uk

The final program is due to be confirmed

The BAD conference team will administer registration, so please contact them directly, and look out for updates on the BAD events page too.

There will be a discount for members, so it is a great opportunity to encourage your colleagues to apply for membership

Vacancy arising for a Scottish Representative on the BSCA Committee

6 May 2023

The BSCA would like to announce that in October 2023 Cathy Green will be stepping down from the role as one of the two Scottish Representatives on the BSCA committee.

We thank her for her invaluable contribution to the BSCA.

Sharizan Abdul Ghaffar has been proposed as a successor, to be voted on at the AGM June 2023.

Any other expressions of interest with 2 proposers, who are Sottish members of the BSCA should be forwarded to the president of the BSCA