Medical Toxicology update course 2025

14 October 2025

The National Poisons Information Service Cardiff unit hosted our annual two-day Medical Toxicology update course on 3rd and 4th October. This event provides students and healthcare professionals with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of management of poisoning cases, as well as providing information about the latest trends and research in the field of medical toxicology.

The event included some great presentations by guest speakers from across the UK, including experts from WEDINOS, Aneurin Bevan Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service, Bristol Royal Children’s Hospital, the Gwent Liver Unit and the University Hospital of Wales as well as scientists and Clinical Toxicology Consultants from the NPIS.

Presentations covered topics including:
· Current trends in drug testing services in the UK
· Toxicology in addiction management
· Management of beta-blocker and calcium channel blocker toxicity
· Diagnosis of death using neurological criteria
· Drug-induced liver injury
· Paracetamol poisoning
· Poisonous mushrooms
· Toxicology in the emergency department
· Sodium nitrite
· Organophosphorous compounds and nerve agent poisoning
· Poisonous plants

Attendees enjoyed an interactive quiz to wrap up the two days of learning.

We would like to extend a huge thanks to our senior scientist Eleri Thomas for all her hard work organising such a successful event, and we look forward to next year!