Chief Scientific Officer Conference

Department of Health (7 July 2005)

Comments from delegates on how Oxygen coped in spite of the terrorist bombings:

“My congratulations to the organisers for coping with the situation so well, particularly to those staff who went out of their way to help people make contact with their nearest and dearest.  Also well done to those who had to salvage what was left of speakers, from a delegate view it ran like clockwork.”

“Excellent response and organisation following bombings.”

“All of the team that put this together need to be complemented and congratulated at putting on and sustaining this event in very difficult circumstances. The conference organisers worked tirelessly to ensure this event took place as well as it could have done. I was one of the folk who needed overnight emergency accommodation (Brentwood) - it all worked very well - congratulations.”

“A very professionally organised conference that coped well with the unfortunate disturbances.  Thanks.”

“Given the circumstance of 7/7 this was a small triumph.”

“Given the difficult circumstances, the event was well run, and all staff at the conference centre were pleasant at all times.  QEII is also easy to access from tube stations etc.”

“Under the difficult circumstances of 7th & 8th July, I felt the conference was run extremely well.

“Conference ran very well, despite the disruptions caused by the bombings. Well done to the organisers for keeping things going so well, under very difficult circumstances!”

“Under normal circumstances this would have been an outstanding conference. The bus and underground bombings affected us all and had obvious consequences on attendance of both delegates and speakers. Congratulations to all those who managed to keep the meeting going under such difficult conditions. I would have liked to have stayed until the end but felt the need to start my journey home (via Kings Cross) sooner rather than later.”

“Excellent under extreme circumstances in London.”

“The entire team, including the leadership of Sue Hill was magnificent as the horrors of the tube bombings unfolded. It was entirely correct to proceed with the conference but clearly, the events of the morning seriously affected the event. All those involved should be congratulated at how well the event went off - a great success.”