In celebration of World Lupus Day (10th May), we will be hosting an Information Day in Edinburgh on Saturday 11th May 2024. 

Registration for the information day starts from 1.00pm, with the event itself starting at 1.30pm and finishing at 4:30pm.

The Venue
This event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park Hotel, 15 Lochside Ave, Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The venue is a short walk from Edinburgh Park train station and a 15 minute tram ride from Edinburgh Airport. Disabled parking spaces are available at the front of the building.

Our Line-Up of Speakers:

Dr Helen Harris (Consultant Rheumatologist)
Topic: The Lupus Drug Pipeline 

Dr Harris trained in Rheumatology in Ireland and completed a Fellowship programme at John Hopkins University, Baltimore in 1994 where she pursued research on synovial cell signalling pathways and worked on SLE with Prof. Michelle Petrie as a Clinical Fellow. Dr Harris was appointed as Rheumatology Lecturer in NHS Lothian in 1997 and continued research on chondrocyte cell signalling. She has worked as a Rheumatology Consultant in NHS Fife and NHS Lothian since 2001 and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh.  Dr Harris is a member and tutor of the Scottish Rheumatology Ultrasound group, a founder member of the Scottish Lupus Exchange group and a member of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group. Dr Harris is currently a Senior Lecturer of the University of Edinburgh and works on an online fatigue management programme for patients with Rheumatology conditions.

 

Dr Caroline Whymark (Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Management)
Topic: Pain Management in Lupus 

Dr Caroline Whymark studied medicine at the University of Glasgow, graduating MBChB in 1995. After basic and higher specialist training in anaesthesia and pain medicine in Norwich, and in and around Sheffield, she returned to Glasgow.

Dr Whymark took up a post as a Consultant in anaesthesia and pain medicine at University Hospital Crosshouse, Ayrshire, in 2004. She holds fellowships by examination of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, London (FRCA), and the faculty of pain management (FFPMRCA).

Throughout her career, Dr Whymark has enjoyed teaching. She studied postgraduate medical education between 2002-2004. Her teaching ability extends to education within the pain clinic setting. Understanding the fundamental concepts of this chronic illness is key to individuals’ engaging with recommended pain management techniques. This learning in chronic pain is one of the few interventions with an evidence base of improving quality of life in this population. Dr Whymark’s ability to present complicated concepts in concise, plain English has led to ongoing development of a successful Medicolegal practice.

Dr Whymark receives regular instruction in clinical negligence cases from solicitors acting on behalf of NHS Resolution and the Central Legal Office in Scotland, and is instructed by the courts to provide expert opinion in high value personal injury cases.

Joanne Dobson (Lupus Clinical Nurse Specialist) & Dervil Dockrell (Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist)
Topic: Lupus and Fatigue 

Joanne Dobson is a Rheumatology and Research Nurse, with over 20 years’ experience in this field.  Joanne is currently involved in Lupus research including the Scottish Lupus Exchange Registry and commercial trials.  Part of Joannes role is the establishment and delivery of the Virtual Fatigue Management Programme in NHS Lothian. Joanne combines research and the fatigue groups with her role as a Lupus Specialist Nurse.

Dervil Dockrell is a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in Rheumatology with over 30 years’ experience in large teaching hospitals in Ireland, USA and UK. Since 2018, Dockrell has worked at University of Edinburgh in clinical research with Professor Stuart Ralston’s Bone Research Group. Dockrells current research focus is Fatigue in Rheumatic diseases, Paget’s Disease and hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Dockrell also maintains clinical and teaching roles.

 

A Q&A panel session will be held following the presentations. 

UPDATE: Tickets are now sold out as the event is at capacity. You may register to be on the waiting list but places are not guaranteed. 

Register Online