The event has been approved by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) for 25 CPD credits for both in person and online participants and accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) for 93 CPD credits for only in person participants.
The Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) conference is the largest UK-hosted, international infection conference. It is a must-attend event for anyone working in infection prevention and control, infectious diseases, clinical microbiology and biomedical science.
This year, the Microbiology Society will be hosting FIS and will be partnering with the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) and the British Infection Association (BIA) to develop the programme. The three-day, extensive programme will include a comprehensive number of sessions, plenary lectures, debates, clinical cases and networking opportunities. Join us on 14–15 November in Edinburgh and one day for an online meeting on 17 November.
Further information will be announced in the build up to the meeting on our social media channels. Follow us on Twitter @MicrobioSoc using the hashtag #FIS23 and on Instagram to stay up to date.
Image credit: PPrat
Pentland (Level 3)
Healthcare Infection Society
Sidlaw (Level 3)
This session will focus on the role of microbial diagnostics in infection medicine and aims to highlight recent developments in this regard in the specific clinical area of haematology-oncology. Infections in these highly immunosuppressed patients are broad in range with unique challenges for diagnosis and treatment.
Fintry (Level 3)
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV
Tinto (level 0)
Back by popular demand, we are delighted to announce the return of the Pediatric Interactive Case Session. This session will feature four cases demonstrating the subtle differences between infection presentations in children compared to adults. The presenters will not only seek the input of the audience through online voting, but you will also have the opportunity to match wits against a panel of paediatric infection 'experts'!
Facilitator: Stéphane Paulus (Oxford University Hospitals, UK)
Panel: Sanjay Patel (Southampton Children’s Hospital, UK), Jim Hatcher (Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, UK), Stephen Hughes (Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust, UK) and Laura Ferreras-Antolin (St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK)
Sanjay Patel (Southampton Children’s Hospital, UK) & Stéphane Paulus (Oxford University Hospitals, UK)
Moorfoot (Level 0)
Presentations on how and why GAMSAS was developed, experience to date from BSAC team, an assessor and client organisation perspectives, and plans for future spread.
Pentland (Level 3)
James Tinsdeall: Phacoemulsification is a surgery used to restore vision in people with cataracts or clouding of the eye's lens. This type of cataract surgery uses ultrasonic waves to break the lens into tiny pieces, which are then suctioned out of the eye with a vacuum and over 10,000 phacoemulsification extractions of lenses were undertaken from 2017 to 2020. However, In the period from 2017 to 2020 the MHRA received 38 reports of particles found in the eye either during or after surgery. Investigation found that these particles were of various substances such as organic matter, crystalline material, fibres, or pieces of plastic. Guidance was produced to decrease risks associated with inadequate or improper cleaning and decontamination of phacoemulsification (phaco) handpieces. This presentation will provide an update on the work of a number of groups working together to high light the risks of inadequate cleaning, decontamination and sterilization of phaco handpieces.
Gerry McDonnell: Gerry is the vice president at Johnson and Johnson and has had a distinguished career specialising in decontamination and sterilisation of surgical instruments and devices. Decontamination of surgical instruments and equipment is reliant on manufacturer’s instructions and sterile services departments having the facilities and equipment in order to process surgical instruments accordingly. This can involve training and education of staff to undertake protocols to ensure that cleaning decontamination and sterilization are carried out to quality standards.
Dr McDonnell will discuss the different decontamination and sterilisation requirements in different countries and the standards that need to be applied. He will also discuss the challenges to companies to ensure that their instruments are decontaminated and sterilised to minimise risks associated with surgery to ensure that all patients are safe, regardless of the country and standards required.
Central Sterilising Club
Kilsyth (Level 0)
Session description: JOINTCASE: A national audit investigating the microbiological quality of air in operating theatres during joint replacement procedures.
SALVAGE: Systematic Assessment of Line infections Via Audit throughout Great Britain to Evaluate management (http://nitcollaborative.org.uk/wp/salvage/).
SinkBug: Antimicrobial resistance gene and pathogen burden in sinks in UK hospitals and associations with healthcare-associated infections, sink design and sink usage: a multi-centre prospective sampling study (http://nitcollaborative.org.uk/wp/sinkbug/).
The National Infection Teams Collaborative for Audit and Research
Lammermuir (Level -2)
The organising Societies will provide an overview of their publications. This will be followed by a Q&A Panel where members of the editorial teams will provide valuable insight and advice on academic publishing.
Healthcare Infection Society, Microbiology Society and British Infection Association
Kilsyth (Level 0)
Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Tinto (level 0)
In this session four real-life cases will be presented by infection trainees and discussed by our multidisciplinary expert panel. This session will provide insight into clinical reasoning and managing diagnostic uncertainty through a clinical, laboratory and infection control lens.
Panel: Harriet Hughes (Public Health Wales, UK), Rebecca Sutherland (Western General Hospital Edinburgh, UK), Kate Templeton (NHS Lothian, UK) and Lee Stewart (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, UK)
British Infection Association
Moorfoot (Level 0)
British Society for Medical Mycology
Pentland (Level 3)
ESCMID Study Group for Nosocomial Infections
Fintry (Level 3)
Session description: This session will aim to explore the evidence supporting evidence base supporting the introduction of personalised antimicrobial dosing into clinical practice. The session will cover the following aims: - an understanding on the principles of pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic properties of common antimicrobials and how treatment can be optimised through posology and administration - critically evaluation the in vitro methods for antimicrobial susceptibility determination used in practice and how these impact on antimicrobial dosing - appraise the current evidence base supporting antimicrobial personalisation and the impact on treatment outcomes - build the case for and against routine antimicrobial dose adjustments in clinical practice as a response to the antimicrobial resistance pressuresUK Clinical Pharmacy Association
Sidlaw (Level 3)
UK Health Security Agency
Sidlaw (Level 3)
British Infection Association
Tinto (level 0)
While there has been a significant trend in managing infections in adults by shifting towards earlier IV-to-oral switches and shorter total antibiotic courses, this shift has not necessarily translated into paediatric practice. This discrepancy partly stems from the lack of high-quality research studies for many paediatric pathologies but also reflects clinicians' risk-averse behaviour. During this session, we will delve into the evidence supporting the adoption of early IV-to-oral switches and shorter antibiotic courses in children. Furthermore, we will guide delegates to the recently developed BSAC pediatric pathways (https://bsac.org.uk/paediatricpathways/), which offer clinicians clear, evidence-based guidance for managing common infections in children.British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Moorfoot (Level 0)
Healthcare Infection Society
Fintry (Level 3)
Healthcare Infection Society
Pentland (Level 3)
Pentland (Level 3)
Healthcare Infection Society
Lammermuir (Level -2)
Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome of profound and damaging immune dysregulation (hyperinflammation) with high mortality. HLH may be rarely a genetic,primary disease but more commonly is a secondary phenomenon and can affect people of all ages. Secondary HLH is triggered by infection (especially viral infection), malignancy (particularly lymphoma), rheumatic disease and treatments including immunotherapy and CART therapy. The pathology of HLH relates to persistent, self-perpetuating activation of macrophages and T-lymphocytes and the resulting cytokine storm damages tissue and causes multi-organ failure. Treatment of HLH is with immune suppression, initially steroids and IL-1 blockade for which there is now an NHSE commissioning policy. The hallmarks of HLH are the 3 Fs – persistent, high grade fever, falling blood counts (often heralded by thrombocytopaenia) and highly elevated ferritin. People with HLH can present to any medical speciality but especially to infectious diseases teams as the features of HLH are non-specific and often mirror those of sepsis. Early recognition of HLH and prompt treatment improves outcomes and this requires close multidisciplinary working. This session aims to provide an introduction to HLH and, using a format similar to a working MDT meeting with an MDT panel, takes a detailed approach to two cases to draw out the diagnostic and treatment approach to HLH. The session closes with advice about taking the learning back into attendees workplaces and signposting of useful resources.British Infection Association
Tinto (level 0)
British Infection Association
Kilsyth (Level 0)
This session will cover the latest research developments and innovation in antimicrobial resistance research. World leading experts will present their latest data which spans from the laboratory through to real-world and clinical applications.Microbiology Society
Pentland (Level 3)
This session will highlight lessons learned from the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The spread of COVID-19 has demonstrated an urgent need to evaluate our global levels of pandemic preparedness and the scale of response required in the event of future outbreaks including Disease X.Microbiology Society
Moorfoot (Level 0)
Scottish Microbiology Association
Fintry (Level 3)
The timely review of intravenous antimicrobials as part of the IV to PO switch (IVOS) program has been identified as a key strategy for antimicrobial stewardship teams. This forms part of the NHS England CQUIN for 2023/24 and has been included in the recent UKSHA National antimicrobial intravenous-to-oral switch (IVOS) criteria for early switch guidance (November 2022). This session will provide an overview of the IVOS strategies adopted across the UK including examples where they have been successfully implemented in to practice. The challenges of implementing such programmes and opportunities for future developments will be discussed also.UK Clinical Pharmacy Association
Sidlaw (Level 3)
AMR is recognised as an increasing threat to human health, as well as having significant socio-economic consequences. It is estimated that 28 million people could fall into poverty due to an increase in healthcare costs of up to US$ 1 trillion globally by 2050, with a disproportionate impact on low-income countries according to the WHO. Vaccines are considered to be an important tool against AMR for multiple reasons- including reduction of antibiotic use, prevention of disease-related complications (e.g. secondary infections), the potential for reaching populations with vaccination who have limited access to other types of healthcare, and the potential to impact individuals with higher biological risk factors for exposure to resistance. This session will address the concepts of vaccines for AMR and the modelling that supports this approach, with some examples of infectious diseases for which this approach has been shown to be beneficial.UK Clinical Vaccine Network
Kilsyth (Level 0)
Symposium from an international expert in clinical and diagnostic mycology, discussing why implementing antifungal stewardship (AFS) is more important than ever.
Dr Schelenz will share her own experience of implementing antifungal stewardship at Kings College Hospital in London, discuss key priorities and barriers to AFS, the importance of fungal diagnostics and give her top tips on how to set up an effective AFS programme in your own centre.
This meeting is intended for UK healthcare professionals only.
Lammermuir (Level -2)
Lunch will be provided in the adjacent exhibition hall and can be brought to this session. So join us for this networking session that will begin with a short presentation on ‘What I wish I’d known as a new consultant’. We will then breakout into roundtable groups to discuss key themes that may be of interest to anyone who has just started or will shortly be starting in a consultant role. Roundtable topics will include core topics e.g. job planning and appraisals, combined with ‘common problems faced as a new infection consultant’. Each round table group will be facilitated by a senior consultant.
Pentland (Level 3)
British Infection Association
Fintry (Level 3)
Sidlaw (Level 3)
Tinto (level 0)
Pentland (Level 3)
The Infection Science Award is an exchange scheme that facilitates the most promising trainee and early career presenters from the Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) Annual Conference (Infectious Disease Futures session) to present at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference (Infection Forum) and vice versa. The aim of the Award is to support the exchange of ideas between the two meetings and the career development of early career researchers and trainee scientists and doctors by exposing them to new audiences and networks.
Moorfoot (Level 0)
Symposium from an international expert in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, discussing the ongoing challenge of dealing with infections caused by Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in the UK.
Dr Jenkins will share his own extensive experience in addressing the issues that these multidrug resistant pathogens present, from surveillance and diagnostics through to the management of infections and outbreaks, including understanding the wider impact they can have on healthcare resources.
This meeting is intended for UK healthcare professionals only.
Moorfoot (Level 0)
Sidlaw (Level 3)
British Infection Association
Pentland (Level 3)
Healthcare Infection Society
Fintry (Level 3)
The speakers in this session will highlight the importance and patient benefit of rapidly diagnosing of infections in real time. The session will explore differences between currently-used benchtop diagnostics versus new, rapid and accurate diagnostic technologies that are being developed by scientists today and will be used in clinic in the future.Microbiology Society
Tinto (level 0)
Society for Anaerobic Microbiology
Kilsyth (Level 0)
Welsh Microbiology Association
In this session, experienced speakers will guide you through the challenges of identifying and responding to specific needs and infection challenges facing refugees and asylum seekers. The session will focus particularly on healthcare delivery in European settings, and will include case studies of outbreak management and individual case management. There will be discussion of how to adapt and improve our knowledge, skills and healthcare systems to provide appropriate infection services for individuals and populations who have experienced forced migration.
British Infection Association
The event has been approved by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) for 25 CPD credits for both in person and online participants and accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) for 93 CPD credits for only in person participants.
FIS2023 is a unique event offering companies the opportunity to network and connect with a targeted group of individuals tailored for your products and services. This event is a unique collaboration of societies across the UK with interests in different aspects of Infectious Diseases and is a great opportunity to showcase your latest products, connect with key contacts and generate business leads. This year, FIS2023 will take place in-person and online, providing a great opportunity to expand your network, and increase your visibility and reach.
Exhibiting at this event will offer you the unique opportunity to interact with Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology specialists, Biomedical Scientists, Infection Control Nurses, Basic Scientists and Pharmacists all under one roof. FIS2023 is being held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and over three days will see a programme packed with sessions covering the most important current issues facing infectious disease control, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
There are packages to suit varying budgets and promotional requirements, please download our invitation to exhibit for more details. If you have any questions about the packages available please email [email protected].
FIS 2023 Exhibition and Sponsorship Pack
FIS 2023: Exhibition Hall Floorplan
Registration for FIS 2023 is now closed.
If you are a member of one of the following societies you are entitled to select the Member rates:
If you are a member of a FIS participating society and registering for the event, you will be asked for the membership number of your society when you arrive at the event.
| Name | Full price |
| Member of FIS Participating Societies - 14 November & 15 November (in-person) | £504 |
| Member of FIS Participating Societies - 14 November only (in-person) | £252 |
| Member of FIS Participating Societies - 15 November only (in-person) | £252 |
| Member of FIS Participating Societies - 17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On Demand Content | £140 |
| Member of FIS Participating Societies - Full Conference (14 & 15 November in-person & 17 November virtual day) | £612 |
| Non Member - 14 November & 15 November (in-person) | £576 |
| Non Member - 14 November only (in-person) | £288 |
| Non Member - 15 November only (in-person) | £288 |
| Non Member - 17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On Demand Content | £156 |
| Non Member - Full Conference (14 & 15 November in-person & 17 November virtual day) | £708 |
| Student - 14 November & 15 November (in-person) | £274 |
| Student - 14 November only (in-person) | £138 |
| Student - 15 November only (in-person) | £138 |
| Student - 17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On Demand Content | £80 |
| Student - Full Conference (14 & 15 November in-person & 17 November virtual day) | £314 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Member of FIS Participating Societies - 14 November & 15 November (in-person) | £352 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Member of FIS Participating Societies - 14 November only (in-person) | £176 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Member of FIS Participating Societies - 15 November only (in-person) | £176 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Member of FIS Participating Societies - 17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On Demand Content | £108 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Member of FIS Participating Societies - Full Conference (14 & 15 November in-person & 17 November virtual day) | £457 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Non Member - 14 November only (in-person) | £215 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Non Member - 15 November only (in-person) | £215 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Non Member - 17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On Demand Content | £130 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Non Member - Full Conference (14 & 15 November in-person & 17 November virtual day) | £545 |
| Trainee / Pharmacist / Nurse - Non-member - 14 November & 15 November (in-person) | £429 |
| Employee/representative of a commercial organisation - 14 November & 15 November (in-person) | £672 |
| Employee/representative of a commercial organisation - 14 November only (in-person) | £336 |
| Employee/representative of a commercial organisation - 15 November only (in-person) | £336 |
| Employee/representative of a commercial organisation - 17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On Demand Content | £204 |
| Employee/representative of a commercial organisation - Full Conference (14 & 15 November in-person & 17 November virtual day) | £852 |
Upon registration, you should receive an automated confirmation email. Please contact [email protected] if this has not been received within 24 hours.
If you need a letter of invitation for a visa application, we will be happy to supply this after we have received full payment. To find out if you need a visa to visit the UK, please visit the UK visa and immigration website.
Please note that all conference delegates are responsible for their own travel and visa arrangements; the Microbiology Society will not take any responsibility for travel or visa problems.
All registration fees must be paid in full before arrival at the conference. Any outstanding registration fees must be paid before admittance will be granted to the conference.
Refunds are not provided; however, substitutions of attendees can be made at any time by contacting [email protected].
FIS 2023 Poster Abstract Book
Abstract submission is now closed.
Abstracts are welcome for any of the following topics:
Abstracts should be submitted through the Oxford Abstracts system. Both members and non-members of the Microbiology Society are welcome to submit an abstract. Once submissions are closed, these will be reviewed by session Chairs and scientific committee members and you will be informed of the outcome directly. By submitting an abstract to this conference, you are indicating to the session organisers your commitment to attend the event.
Abstracts should be a maximum of 250 words.
Please note that the abstract is the only information session organisers use when deciding whether to accept your work for presentation as an offered oral or poster. If accepted, it will be published in the online programme or poster abstract book for the conference – so think carefully about what needs to be included.
In order to ensure your presentation runs smoothly, you are asked to comply with the following:
Those who are presenting a poster must ensure the work is presented as below. We cannot accommodate incorrectly formatted posters during the conference.
Attendees from LMIC countries can apply for a bursary to cover the costs of the registration fee for virtual attendance only (17 November Virtual Day Delegate Only and On-Demand Content). LMIC attendees must submit their bursary application via email by 28 August 2023.
Applicants must permanently reside in a LMIC (as classified by the World Bank) and provide the following via email to [email protected]
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by 11 September 2023 (23:59 BST) and will then be provided with a special code to allow FREE LMIC registration.
HIS will offer travel grants of up to £750 to support the attendance of members who are presenting their Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) work at FIS 2023.
Applicants should apply for a HIS travel grant as soon they have confirmation that their abstract has been accepted. The deadline for receipt of travel grant applications is Monday 4 September 2023 12:00 pm BST. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by Friday 8 September 2023.
Funding may be used to cover the registration fee, travel, accommodation and/or childcare costs.
Only members of HIS can apply. Eligibility commences immediately upon joining the Society and non-members can join the Society online.
Travel grants will preferentially be awarded to students, trainees, pharmacists, and nurses and are allocated according to pre-determined criteria which include:
For further information and to apply for a HIS Travel Grant, follow this link to the website.
Travel grants are assessed on 31 January, 31 May, 31 October each year. Travel grants may be awarded retroactively if the timing of the conference or abstract notifications have not aligned with these deadlines
Apply for a British Infection Society Travel grant
Microbiology Society and Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) applicants should await the outcome of your grant or bursary application before registering for the conference. The early bird registration deadline is 18 September 2023 (23:59). British Infection Association member travel grants will be awarded retroactively.
You must register to attend the conference yourself and claim back the registration fee from the Society which has awarded your grant.
Those who are attending from a LMIC using a bursary under option 1 above will be provided with a code to enable them to register. Only approved bursary applicants will be able to attend with the FREE LMIC registration.
The Microbiology Society Infection Science Award is an exchange scheme that facilitates the most promising trainee and early career presenters from FIS to present at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference Infection Forum in an effort to improve the exchange of ideas and the career development of early career researchers and trainee scientists and doctors.
All self-defining early career and trainee presenters who hold membership in a FIS organising society* are eligible for the scheme. As a guide, the Microbiology Society’s ECM Forum considers you an early career microbiologist if you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student, or within five years of appointment to your first position after your highest degree is earned. However, if this doesn’t fit your situation and you consider yourself an early career researcher, you are welcome to join.
*FIS organising societies include the British Infection Association (BIA), Healthcare Infection Society (HIS), and Microbiology Society.
To enter the competition, submit your abstract to the Infectious Disease Futures session and provide an additional statement about how the award will benefit your professional development.
A judging panel will attend the session to judge the entrants and select the awardees for an announcement in the weeks following FIS 2023. The judges will focus on scientific content and communication and will criteria related to the translation potential of research outlined in presentations.
The awardees will be invited to speak in the Infection Forum at Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2024 and will be offered a fixed bursary to attend.
The conference will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC):
150 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8EE
By car
If you are travelling using a sat nav, please use the postcode EH3 8EE. The main entrance is 150 Morrison Street.
By air
The Airlink 100 operates a frequent bus service (every 10 minutes at peak times) between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, with designated stops en route. The service starts at 04:30 and runs until 00:22 at night, with the journey taking 20 minutes. Tickets cost £4.50 for a single and £7.50 for a return. Delegates are advised to disembark at Haymarket Railway Station and to follow signs for EICC on foot (a 5-minute walk).
The N22 bus also departs from outside the Airport entrance and runs every half an hour through the night until the Airlink service starts again. For more information about these services visit www.flybybus.com.
By Tram
Edinburgh Trams run between the Airport and York Place every 8-10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 12-15 minutes on Sundays. The closest tram stop to the EICC is at Haymarket Station. Please visit the Edinburgh Trams website for more details.
By rail
Edinburgh has two railway stations:
Waverley Station, which is 1.3 miles from EICC, is the city's main railway station and has direct routes to many cities across the country, including over 25 daily departures from London.
Haymarket Station, which is just 0.4 miles from EICC, is a stop for many commuters and some UK train routes. Please ensure that you check with your rail network provider to find out if your train will stop at Haymarket or Waverley.
By bus
Edinburgh's main bus terminal is located at St Andrew's Square. Visit Lothian Buses for more information on local bus services.
Coach
For information about travel by coach please visit the National Express website.
There are many car parks within close walking distance of the EICC. Please see the EICC website for more details.
To support you in securing your accommodation we provide links to our booking and accommodation services via Reservation Highway.
Book your accommodation
Helpdesk: +44 (0) 1423 525577
Email: [email protected]
Reservation Highway has secured negotiated rates at hotels to suit a broad range of budgets.
The Society is again teaming up with Nipperbout to provide a free crèche at FIS 2023. The crèche will be available to all children of delegates between the ages of 0 and 12 years.
All registered delegates will be offered the opportunity to make use of these free childcare services, which will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to register for a Creche place at FIS 2023
In order to register, visit the Nipperbout portal.
Existing account holders who have already used the system can log into their existing account and register for the event using the event code: FIS141123 under Events and Sessions.
Members who have not used the system before can create an account by clicking register, completing the form and entering the event code: FIS141123. You will then be able to request a place for your child in the creche and create your password.
Booking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmation of your booking will be sent prior to the conference.
Please note that you are entering into an agreement with Nipperbout and not the Microbiology Society.
Nipperbout is an award-winning event childcare company with over 25 years of experience. For more information, please visit the Nipperbout website. If you have any queries about this service, please contact: [email protected].
For further information, please contact: [email protected].