Welcome to

BAPO Juniors

BAPO Juniors is a new addition to BAPO that is completely free to join for ENT Trainees interested in specialising in Paediatric ENT

This new offshoot of BAPO is an evolving group and we hope you will join us in building it into a thriving hub for education and opportunities in paediatric ENT for students and trainees. Membership to BAPOJ is free to UK foundation/core trainees and ENT specialty trainees. All you have to do to join is complete the form at the bottom of this page.

EVENTS

BAPOJ Revision Course

We are delighted to announce the 3rd BAPOJ Revision Course The BAPO Annual Meeting follows on 24-25 September at Spaces at the Spine, Liverpool.
 
The aim of the BAPOJ Revision Course is to cover the paediatric otorhinolaryngology curriculum in a series of lectures delivered by an expert faculty. You can view the full programme here. It is particularly suited to training grade doctors studying for the FRCS(ORL-HNS), but is also an excellent day for more junior ENT training grade doctors who would like to gain knowledge in paediatric ENT.
 
The course is open to all UK and Eire-based training grade ENT surgeons. It costs just £40 for the day if you also register for the Annual Meeting and £100 for delegates attending only the BAPOJ Revision Course. 
 
Northwest NTN trainees will be sent a code for a discounted rate as this day is part of your teaching programme.  
 
We encourage you to join BAPOJ if you are eligible, in order to keep up to date with activities, courses, prizes and grants
 
We would encourage you register for this Course as well as the BAPO Annual Meeting for a 3-day package of paediatric ENT learning, presenting and networking opportunities.

A welcome to BAPO Juniors

Ayla Tabaksert

BAPO Trainee Rep

Hi, my name is Ayla and I am the BAPO trainee representative for 2024-2026.

I am an ST7 in the North East of England and feel very fortunate to be part of this friendly, welcoming paediatric ENT community having got to interact with and meet so many of you this past year.

Having had supportive mentors guide me into paediatric ENT, my aim is for
BAPO to act as an informal mentor to you and ignite or sustain that spark of
enthusiasm as it did for me.

I am striving to continue what Emma Gosnell started and build our trainee membership and network, as well as to provide and highlight educational and
professional opportunities that are open to you.

I am always happy to hear ideas from you about how you feel BAPO could do
more to support you or your colleagues through your training and beyond so
please get in touch.

Becoming a member of BAPO Juniors offers you so much, including fellowships, prizes and grants

Once a member we will keep you updated on conferences, courses and educational updates. We will  give you access to educational resources and paediatric fellowship details. You will also be eligible to apply for the fellowship grants, research funds and the short paper prizes. Plus you will get a discount on the annual conference registration fee.

We plan to expand our BAPOJ committee and will update members on opportunities and roles within the society that members will be able to apply for. We look forward to welcoming you to BAPOJ and the fantastic subspecialty of paediatric ENT.

Susanna Leighton Fellowship Prize
Prize Amount: up to £750

Overview

In memory of the late Mrs Susanna Leighton. Susanna was the lead surgeon on the cochlear implant team at Great Ormond Street. She also developed an interest in airway management in craniosynostosis and authored extensively on the subject. She married Barry and had a daughter (Claudia) and two sons (John and Finn).
 
We established “The Susanna Leighton Fellowship” in her memory to support training-grade surgeons. This memorial prize of £750 will be awarded to a trainee following the oral presentations at the annual BAPO meeting.The prize money will go towards attending a BAPO course, the next BAPO annual meeting or the next ESPO congress.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to trainee surgeons
  • Awarded based on oral presentations at the BAPO Annual Meeting
  • Time allocation at BAPO Free paper session

Award Details

  • The prize money will go towards attendence at the next BAPO Annual Meeting, a BAPO-led course, or the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ESPO) event.
  • The money is to be used with 2 years of the award.

Submission Details

  • Abstract submission
Amged El-Hawrani Memorial Prize
Prize Amount: up to £750

Overview

The tragic death of Consultant ENT Surgeon Amged El-Hawrani, Queen’s Hospital, Burton, from Covid-19 Coronavirus in March 2020 was a devastating blow to his family, colleagues and the wider ENT community.
 
Alongside paediatric ENT, Amged had a special interest in H&N surgery, thyroid surgery and skin cancer. He was full of energy, known for his very high workload, cared deeply about his patients and had time for everyone. He was particularly known for his good reputation as a clinical teacher and trainer. This memorial prize of £750 will be awarded to a trainee following the oral presentations at the annual BAPO meeting.The prize money will go towards attending a BAPO course, the next BAPO annual meeting or the next ESPO congress.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to trainee surgeons
  • Awarded based on oral presentations at the BAPO Annual Meeting
  • Time allocation at BAPO Free paper session

Award Details

  • The prize money will go towards attendence at the next BAPO Annual Meeting, a BAPO-led course, or the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ESPO) event.
  • The money is to be used with 2 years of the award.

Submission Details

  • Abstract submission
Victoria Possamai Global Travelling Fellowship Award
Prize Amount: up to £4,000

About Victoria

Victoria “Vikki” Possamai was, quite simply, extraordinary. A surgeon of the highest calibre, she combined intellectual brilliance with deep humanity, earning the respect of colleagues and the trust of countless children and families. It was not only her clinical excellence that defined her, but her warmth, kindness, and unwavering generosity of spirit.

Born in Wales and raised in Essex, Vikki was proud of her British and Italian heritage and of the close-knit family that shaped her. One of four siblings, she grew up surrounded by love and energy, qualities she carried throughout her life. She excelled academically and in sport, but it was her kindness and joy that stood out most.

Vikki had a rare ability to make everything around her better. Patients felt reassured, colleagues supported, and friends uplifted in her presence. She believed deeply in people, in nurturing potential, sharing knowledge, and lifting others up. A natural teacher and mentor, she gave her time generously, leading without ego and shaping those around her in lasting ways.

Despite her many achievements, she remained humble and grounded, always guided by a strong sense of purpose and care for others. At the centre of her life was her family, her husband Arjun and their children, Maya and Raushan, of whom she was immensely proud. She embraced life fully, treasuring time with family and friends, both in everyday moments and on travels further afield.

Her loss is profound and deeply felt across our community. Yet in the standards she set, the lives she touched, and the values she embodied, compassion, generosity, and a belief in education, her legacy endures

Overview

The Vikki Possamai Global Travelling Fellowship Award has been established in her memory to honour those values. It reflects her passion for the care of children, her commitment to education and training, and her belief in widening opportunity for others.
 
This fellowship offers clinicians, nurses, and speech and language therapists from low and lower-middle-income countries the opportunity to gain experience in paediatric otorhinolaryngology through observerships in UK tertiary centres, alongside dedicated training. In doing so, it aims not only to support individual development but to strengthen services and improve the care of children globally.
 
In this way, her legacy is not only remembered but lived again and again in the care of children and the growth of those who dedicate their lives to them.

About the Fellowship

This is an exciting opportunity for an ear, nose and throat specialist, specialist nurse or speech and language therapist with a paediatric practice to obtain further experience during an observership at a UK tertiary paediatric centre. This opportunity will also include a tertiary centre paediatric ear, nose and throat course. Delegates will be selected by a panel.
 
Applicants will be selected from low, low- middle income economies (as classified by the World Bank), where paediatric otorhinolaryngology training skills are needed, must hold a permanent position in their institution and obtain permission from their institution to attend. Applicants are required to check visa entry requirements and ensure appropriate visas are obtained.

Funding

Up to £4000 (course fees are included/waived separately). The fellowship aims to cover the cost of economy flights, accommodation, meal allowances and course fees.

Duration
 
3-4 weeks

Open to

ENT doctors with a defined interest in Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology or service that reflects this in their country of origin.
 
Nurses with a specialist paediatric otorhinolaryngology practice (e.g. tracheostomy nurses, paediatric otorhinolaryngology nurse specialists) wishing to gain further experience.
 
Speech and Language therapists with a specialist paediatric otorhinolaryngology practice and wishing to gain further experience

To apply

Please send a CV, a letter of recommendation from your head of department or supervisor, and 500 words supporting statement of why you should be considered for this fellowship and how training would be helpful to you and your service.
 
For further information regarding conditions, expectations and eligibility please contact info@bapo.co.uk

BAPOJ Research Grant

This latest addition to BAPO’s prizes is £1500 towards a paediatric otorhinolaryngology based research project. Abstract submissions will be open prior to the September Annual Meeting for BAPOJ members. Those successfully shortlisted will be invited to present their proposal at the September Annual meeting in front of a panel of judges and be prepared to “pitch perfect” for a chance of winning the prize.

Submission deadlines and application forms will be advertised on the website.

BAPOJ Travelling Fellowship Prize

We are delighted to announce the BAPOJ fellowship fund of up to £1000 to contribute towards a paediatric otolaryngological fellowship which is open to BAPOJ members. Interested members will be invited to submit a 500 word response to a paediatric otolaryngology related topic, question or controversy. The prize is to be collected at the annual meeting in September. The winner will be asked to share their fellowship experience with us at a future meeting.

Submission deadlines and application forms will be advertised on the website.

Paediatric fellowships

We are dedicated to advancing the careers of medical professionals by providing access to an extensive range of pediatric fellowship opportunities. As a leader in fostering specialised education, BAPO connects aspiring paediatric specialists with renowned hospitals and clinics, offering hands-on experience in various specialties. Our goal is to empower clinicians to hone their expertise, contribute to cutting-edge research, and ultimately improve patient outcomes in the field of paediatric healthcare. We offer the following opportunities.

UK fellowships

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Birmingham Children's Hospital

Evelina Children’s Hospital

Glasgow Royal Hospital for Children

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

Sheffield Children’s Hospital

University Hospital Southampton

International fellowships

Starship Children's Hospital
(New Zealand)

The Hospital for Sick Children
(Canada)

Apply to join BAPO Juniors

If you would like to be considered for membership, then simply fill in the form below and we will come back to you. If you would simply like to find out more then please use the general enquiries form beneath this one.

BAPOJ General Enquiries

For any queries or other enquiries then please us the contact form below.

Pop-up Presentations Session 6

O6.1 Endoscopic vs External Paediatric DCR: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Rohan Pinto; Grace Khong

O6.2 Paediatric one stop neck lump clinic: A pilot service evaluation
Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Gyanesh Sethi; Nicola Stobbs; Christopher NG

O6.3 Predictors of Recurrence Following Nasal Dermoid Sinus Cysts Excision: A 13-Year Retrospective Cohort Study
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton, United Kingdom
Arshad Zubair; Dillan Shetty; Ravi Sharma; Grace Khong

O6.4 DigiBel: A Pilot Evaluation of a Web-Based, Child-Friendly Audiometry App for Detecting Conductive Hearing Loss
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom; Cambridge University Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Rachael Collins; Tamsin Holland-Brown

O6.5 BapoGPT: Artificial Intelligence Versus ENT UK for Patient and Parent Information
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Dalton Barham; William Greenough

Pop-up Presentations Session 5

O5.1 Dynamic Four-Dimensional CT in the Evaluation of Paediatric Tracheobronchomalacia: A Ten-Year Single-Centre Retrospective Review
Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Sophie Bondje; Elizabeth Maughan; Colin Butler

O5.2 Microlaryngobronchoscopy in Children with Recurrent Croup: Are We Performing Too Many?
Cambridge University Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom; The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Mohammad Ghunaim; Imogen Seago; Chloe Swords

O5.3 Cumulative corticosteroid exposure in paediatric subglottic stenosis
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Chloe Swords; Mohammad Ghunaim; Chong Kang; Nico Jonas; Jessica Bewick

O5.4 Transitioning adolescent tracheostomy patients to adult care: A national survey of current practice
Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Bay Hill; Yasmine Kamhieh; Julie Bickel; Andrew Hall

O5.5 Multidisciplinary Paediatric Airway Guide and Simulation Training
University Hospitals Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
Sarah Humphries; Isabella Atherley; Thomas Geyton

Pop-up Presentations Session 4

O4.1 Higher Revision Adenoidectomy Rates in Afro-Caribbean Children Compared with the General Paediatric Population: A Five-Year Tertiary Centre Review
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
Amna Qamar; Ilan Elango; Harrypal Panesar; Ciba Paul

O4.2 Should day-case adenotonsillectomy criteria be expanded to allow for the growing childhood obesity epidemic? A retrospective review of 99 children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with weight over 98th centile.
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, United Kingdom
Aisling Clarke; Gavin Donaldson; Conor Jackson; Keith Trimble

O4.3 Paediatric ENT litigation in England: a retrospective analysis of NHS Resolution claims notified 2018–2023
University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Foteini Stefania Koumpa; Talisa Ross; Annakan Navaratnam; Su De

O4.4 Does Clot Size Matter? Rethinking Anticoagulation Duration in Paediatric Otogenic Sinus Thrombosis
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Sara Mahmood; Randa Ghazal-Asswad; Kristin Bryce; Sunil Sharma

O4.5 Do patients require ongoing medication for drooling despite salivary gland surgery?
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Mohammad Ghunaim; Chloe Swords; Chong Kang; Nico Jonas; Jessica Bewick

Pop-up Presentations Session 3

O3.1 Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of AK-OTOF Gene Therapy for Otoferlin Gene (OTOF)-mediated Hearing Loss
Eli Lilly and Company
Brian Lin; on behalf of the AK-OTOF-101 trial

O3.2 Paediatric Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilatation: The First UK Experience
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Emma Hogg; Grace Khong; Sunil Sharma

O3.3 Patterns and Predictors of Hearing Aid Rejection in Paediatric Patients: A Single-Centre Experience
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Dickson Dewantoro; Yeshua Mirani; Timothy Davies; Oliver Little; Sunil Sharma

O3.4 Beyond Drainage: Tympanic Membrane Perforation upon Presentation as a Major Risk Factor for Complications in Pediatric Mastoiditis
Shamir medical center, Zerifin, Israel
Ofer Israel; Itai Asher; Jacob Pitaro; Rona Bourla; Yael Garti; Haim Gavriel; Yuval Mizrakly

O3.5 Paediatric SENTIO™ Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Implant: Our Tertiary ENT Paediatric Experience
Alder Hey Children’s, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Emma Hogg; Dickson Dewantoro; Kristin Bryce; Timothy Davies; Oliver Little; Sujata De; Sunil Sharma

BAPOJ Research Prize 2026

BAPOJ1: Developing novel materials for paediatric tracheostomy tube design
Josh Law; Jennifer Olsen; Jason Powell

BAPOJ2: Are sterile drapes and gowns necessary for all paediatric ENT operations? Assessing the exposure of bodily fluids during adenotonsillectomy procedures
Chee Yen Soon; Henry Dunne; Chong Yi Kang

BAPOJ3: Who Progresses? Phenotyping Long-Term Audiological Trajectories Following Newborn Hearing Screening
Chloe Swords; Mohammad Ghunaim; Chong Kang; Nico Jonas; Jessica Bewick