2021 Head & Neck Cancer Conference

David Owens
MBCHB, FRCS(ED), MPHIL, PGDME, FFST(ED)
CONSULTANT OTOLARYNGOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF
WALES. HONORARY SENIOR LECTURER, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
>> A note from your
conference host
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 6th Virtual International Head and Neck Cancer
Conference, organised as always by the Swallows Head and Neck cancer charity and this
year hosted by The NHS University Health Board in Cardiff, in association with their sister
University Health Boards throughout Wales. We had all hoped to see you in person in Cardiff
this year but, owing to the ongoing global situation in relation to the COVID pandemic, the
organisers, and the Welsh team, could not see a way to make that possible.
2021 has been another difficult year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Its effects
on services, the restricted movement of people and the safety precautions required to
help reduce its spread throughout the population have had a major impact not only on
the medical, psychological and rehabilitative care that people have received, but also, and
importantly, on patient and carer support groups. I hope with the ongoing vaccination
program and the additional boosters being delivered, as well as a greater understanding
of the need for a real international solution, that next year’s conference can be face-to-face,
and we can all finally meet. Although the problems with accessing health care have been
widely reported nationally, I am pleased that, even during the heights of the pandemic,
Head and Neck services in Wales, including assessment, diagnostics, treatments and all
supportive follow-up care have continued without significant delay. This is a testament to
the determination and conviction of the multidisciplinary teams involved and demonstrates
the importance of head and neck cancer to NHS Wales.
I am sure you will find this year’s meeting as interesting and engaging as all the previous
events, and that you will receive an insight into advances in head and neck cancer care, in
all its medical, surgical, psychological and allied health aspects. The programme, the range
of topics and the speakers involved promise to deliver a fantastic experience for all. I also
hope the meeting gives participants a perspective on head and neck care in Wales and the
journeys of some of the patients and carers.
Enjoy the conference and everything it entails, and hopefully, in the future, come and see
the beautiful city of Cardiff in real life. If you feel you could help the Swallows or indeed have
something to add to future conferences, please do let us know.
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VIRTUAL HEAD & NECK CANCER CONFERENCE 2021