About

Dear friends, colleagues and attendees,

 

On behalf of NISTAR (Northern Ireland Specialist Transport and Retrieval) and the Paediatric Critical Care Society (PCCS), it is our absolute pleasure to welcome you to Belfast for the Acute Transport Group Conference 2026. We are thrilled to gather on the 14th and 15th May for two days of innovation, collaboration, and shared learning in the field of paediatric transport.

 

Belfast is a city built on hard work and big ideas. Over a hundred years ago, this city was the world leader in engineering, and the very spot where the Conference is taking place was once the busiest shipyard on earth. Our theme this year is "Full Steam Ahead," nodding to our surroundings at the Titanic Quarter. Just like the great ships built here, Paediatric Critical Care Retrieval takes a huge team effort, precision, and a lot of heart. We’re here to keep that momentum going and keep moving our specialty forward.

 

We have selected venues that celebrate the best of Belfast’s past and its vibrant future. You will find yourself in the heart of the Titanic Quarter for the Conference at the Titanic Belfast, at W5, an award-winning Science and Discovery Centre that mirrors our commitment to curiosity and education, and if you are joining us for our Social Event, you’ll be in the historic Cathedral Quarter at The Dark Horse, a venue nestled in a cobbled alleyway known for its beautiful murals and traditional atmosphere.

 

Belfast has evolved from a 17th-century settlement into a global powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, leading the world in linen production and shipbuilding. Today, it is a city of culture, warmth, and world-class hospitality. We hope that during your stay, you take a moment to breathe in the salty air of the Lough and experience the "craic" that makes Northern Ireland so unique.

 

Welcome to Belfast, let’s go full steam ahead!

 

Warmest regards,

 

The NISTAR Organising Committee