In this – the penultimate issue of the year – are the abstracts for the Autumn Meeting of the Society being hosted by the unit in Haywards Heath. I hope the readers find these abstracts stimulating, both those able to attend and those not; I note there are a wide variety of subjects and topics covered, from the purely scientific, through outcome studies and operational issues. I hope readers from abroad may find the latter – though with mainly a UK relevance – as stimulating as the more conventional scientific abstracts.
The rest of the issue includes the usual spectrum of articles spread across the sub-specialist areas of neurosurgery, though with a slight emphasis on the item that none feels comfortable – surgical site infection – always more of it than we believe.
As mentioned in the last issue the matter of the bid for the World Congress is shortly to be decided and win or lose thanks to all those whose efforts have gone towards the adventure.
There is relatively little to report politically just at present; efforts to ameliorate the EWTD have been less successful than I believe all of British neurosurgery would like – both trainees and substantive posts, though there is some suggestion of greater flexibility. Concerns around the impact of this on patient safety as well as the quality of training must therefore remain. It must also be recognized that the view of British Neurosurgery on this issue differs from that of others, though this should not in any way deter us from keeping to this opinion.
I am pleased the flow of submissions continues and must apologise to those whose papers, though published online, have not yet made it to the print version. Space is an issue at the forefront of the minds of the editorial office and publishers, and is sadly not limitless. Over the coming months we will be seeking solutions to this problem one being from simply more efficient use of space, so you will see a change in the page layout for this reason. One of the more difficult jobs for the editor is to have to decline articles, even basic case reports, primarily on grounds of space alone – I take the view that in principle information is always of value however modest, and am conscious of the efforts made by authors – at least certainly the primary author – in making submissions. As always the journal is grateful for submissions received.
I hope you enjoy this edition!