Advancing paediatric surgery through education and research

Belfast Pectus Event

22 Oct

Queens University, Riddel Hall

Belfast, 22nd October 2026

09.00 – 09.30 Coffee / Registration
 
09.30 – 09.50
Welcome, and background to the Pectus Condition. Current treatment access and options in NI.
Mr Niall McGonigle. Thoracic Surgeon, Belfast.
 
09.50 – 10.10
Personal Experience of having Pectus in Northern Ireland and trying to access advice and treatment.
Ms Charlotte Clarke.
 
10.10 – 10.30
Personal Experience of undergoing surgery for Pectus in Northern Ireland.
Ms Elizabeth Pollock.
 
10.30 – 11.00
Conservative Treatment for Pectus in Scotland – Bells, Braces and Psychological Support.
Ms Donna Dargie, Lead Orthotist, Scottish Chest Wall Service. (Children and Young People)
Dr Sarah Adam, Lead Psychologist, Scottish Chest Wall Service.(Children and Young People)
 
11.00 – 11.10
Current Pectus Care in England and Wales, and aspiration for consistent, high-quality care across the United Kingdom.
Simon Kendall, Chair of Charity, Pectus Matters
 
11.10 – 11.40
The Evidence for treating Pectus Conditions. Update on the RESTORE trial – a prospective randomised study of surgery for severe Pectus Excavatum.
Mr Joel Dunning, Thoracic Surgeon, South Tees Hospital, Middlesbrough.
 
 
11.40 – 12.10 Sandwich / Lunch break 
 
 
12.10 – 12.30
Imaging modalities and key metrics for Pectus. CT and MRI.
Mr Joel Dunning, Thoracic Surgeon, South Tees Hospital, Middlesbrough.
 
12.30 – 12.40
Cardiac Investigations – the CPET. Challenges of Interpretation in Pectus Excavatum
Dr Will Ricketts, Consultant Chest Physician, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. (Microsoft Team link presentation).
 
12.40 – 13.00
Cardiac Investigations – Echocardiography – the Experience with Pectus Patients. 
Professor Monica Monaghan, Consultant Cardiologist, Enniskillen.
 
13.00 – 13.20
Questions, Answers and Discussion.
Facilitated by Mr Niall McGonigle, Thoracic Surgeon, Belfast.
 
13.20 – 13.30
Closing Remarks
Mr Niall McGonigle, Ms Charlotte Clarke and Ms Elizabeth Pollock.