Several partners from CET attended and presented at the European Congress in Utrecht in June.  Over 700 delegates from around the world participated in the congress, themed Future perspectives in research & therapy.   Professionals attending this congress benefited from high-level scientific presentations, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities, with the overall goal of promoting understanding and treatment of clefts and other craniofacial anomalies

There were dedicated sessions on psychology and opportunities to present the CET project in front of a large audience – indeed the auditorium was overflowing at one point.  CET coordinator Martin Person led a session Long term outcomes in cleft care – a European approach, focusing on how we can be sure we are inclusive in terms of providing care to a European population that is not always easy to reach given socio-economic and educational constraints.

Other CET partners spoke on different aspects of cleft care in Europe, including the new directory of resource (European Cleft Gateway) and parents’ experiences of early cleft care which illustrate the need for a much more patient/parent-centred approach to care. 

Above all the Congress provided excellent networking opportunities in Europe and beyond with opportunities explores for future collaboration in terms of research, education and sharing best clinical practice.