05 March 2026
28 to 30 April 2026 | Glasgow SEC and Online
As we look ahead to this year’s Annual Conference, I am delighted to share some of the sessions I am particularly excited about. From 28 to 30 April 2026, we will gather at the SEC in Glasgow, as well as online, for three days of learning, debate, collaboration and connection.
BSR Annual Conference remains the leading rheumatology event in the UK, bringing together over 2,000 delegates from across our specialty. The rheumatology community will come together for more than 70 sessions delivered by over 200 expert speakers. Alongside the programme, there will be practical workshops, symposia, networking opportunities and fantastic social events.
Choosing just a few highlights is never easy, but here are some of the sessions I am most looking forward to.
Essentials sessions: Symptom management
Lomond auditorium, Wednesday 29 April at 09:00
The Essentials sessions are always among the most popular at conference. They focus on clinically relevant learning that can be applied immediately. This session tackles some of the challenges we regularly encounter in practice:
- Obesity and its impact on rheumatic disease outcomes
- A step-by-step approach to assessing and managing breathlessness in ILD
- A practical guide to approaching the patient with PUO
If you value clear frameworks for difficult clinical situations, this session will be particularly useful.
Debate: AI should be used for clinical diagnosis in rheumatology consultations
Lomond auditorium, Tuesday 28 April at 15:55
Our debates are always thought provoking, and this year’s motion will generate strong views:
“This house believes that, in 12 months’ time, AI will be used for clinical diagnosis in over half of rheumatology consultations.”
Artificial intelligence is advancing quickly. This session will explore whether widespread diagnostic use is realistic, what the risks may be, and how we should be preparing as a specialty. Expect lively discussion and active audience participation.
25 Years of BSR Registers - From the first patient recruited in Melton Mowbray to today
Hall 1, Wednesday 29 April at 09:00
This silver anniversary session celebrates 25 years of BSR Registers and the impact they have had on research and patient care. We will reflect on the RA, PsA and JIA registers, examining why they were established and how they have shaped clinical practice. Contributions from past committee chairs, registers champions and academic leaders will highlight the evolution of the registers and their ongoing importance. There will also be practical guidance on patient recruitment, becoming an Allied Healthcare Professional PI, and getting involved through the NIHR Associate PI scheme. This session is both a celebration and a call to continued collaboration.
BSR Clinical Guidelines: Translating Evidence into Practice
Lomond auditorium, Wednesday 29 April at 11:10
This session will highlight three new and updated BSR guidelines:
- Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica
- Diagnosis and management of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease related ILD
- Pain management in people of all ages with inflammatory arthritis
Guideline authors will explain the rigorous, multi professional process behind their development and summarise the key recommendations for clinical practice. They will also identify important gaps in the evidence base.
Treatment pathways in JIA across all ages and the four nations of the UK
Boisdale, Thursday 30 April at 09:00
Access to biologic DMARDs for juvenile idiopathic arthritis varies across the UK. This session will explore real world treatment decisions, updates to the NHS England JIA treatment pathway, and differences in access across devolved nations and adult services.
There will also be an update on the forthcoming BSR Life Course guideline for the holistic management of JIA, including multidisciplinary input and lived experience perspectives. This session addresses an important gap between evidence and funded access and will encourage informed discussion across the specialty.
Our award-winning hybrid format provides flexibility for all delegates. You can attend in person at the SEC or join online, with on demand access to content for six months after the event.
If you have not yet secured your place, I strongly encourage you to register. Whether you join us in Glasgow or online, Annual Conference 2026 promises to be engaging, relevant and forward looking for our entire rheumatology community.