Call For Abstracts

We invite you to submit an abstract for presentation at the 2026 Annual Conference of the ASCN UK (ASCNUK26), taking place from 20th-22nd September 2026 in Birmingham. This premier event brings together Specialist Stoma Care Nurses, industry professionals, and other third party organisations, offering a platform to share insights, research and case studies that advance stoma care.

This year’s theme is: Advancing Stoma Care Together (Leadership, Learning and Lasting Impact)

The function of an abstract is to provide a brief, descriptive summary, informing the reader of the purpose and direction of the report, topic, research or case study. It highlights key areas covered, the main arguments or outcomes, and the conclusions reached. Abstracts should state briefly and clearly the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of the work, and should indicate why this is of interest to the audience.

The Organising Committee invites Members and Non-Members to contribute to this vibrant and diverse conference by submitting an abstract. Selected abstracts will be featured in poster or oral presentations, providing an invaluable opportunity to showcase your work to a wide audience of dedicated professionals. Submissions are welcome from all areas of stoma care; however, besides name and affiliations such as NHS trust or industry employer, logos and branding should not be included on posters or slides for oral presentations.

Don’t miss this chance to contribute to the largest Specialist Stoma Care Nurse conference in the UK.

Deadline for Abstract Submissions: 13th April 2026. Abstracts submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please note the earlier deadline reflects that the conference will take place three weeks earlier than last year.

Submit Abstract Here

New Presenters Award

Sponsored by Coloplast, the ASCN UK New Presenters Award is designed not only to support but also to encourage first-time speakers in the field of stoma care nursing. The award provides new presenters with access to a supportive mentorship programme to help build confidence and effectively share their knowledge at the ASCN UK Annual Conference. If you are a first-time presenter and wish to be considered for the award, please indicate this on your submission. Participation in the mentorship and support programme is optional.

Find out more here.

Writing a Successful Abstract

Writing an abstract is the snapshot for promoting the great work that you do. We want to support you in making the most of your application and hope the below will provide you with the guidance and structure to enhance the quality of your submission.

Your Complete Conference Guide Available via a Pre-Recorded Webinar

The Complete Conference Guide was a two-part webinar series designed to equip you with the essential skills to excel at conferences. Whether you’re new to the conference circuit or looking to refine your approach, these recordings will guide you through the entire process – from crafting a standout abstract that gets accepted to delivering presentations and posters that captivate your audience. You can access the recordings of these sessions on the ASCN UK website. (Please note that the recordings may refer to the abstract deadline for ASCNUK25 rather than ASCNUK26. Check this page for the correct submission deadline.)

Guide to Writing a Successful Abstract

The guidance below has been written based on the following references: Perrin A (2022) How to write a successful abstract; Happell B (2008) Conference presentations: A guide to writing the abstract, Nurse Researcher, 15 (4) 79-87; and Coad J, Devitt P, Hardicre J (2007) Ten steps to developing an abstract for conferences, British Journal of Nursing, 16 (7).

What is an abstract?

An abstract is a summary of the topic you would like to present at the conference. It is an opportunity to highlight the evidence, facts, case study or research you have undertaken and demonstrate the value to your colleagues and the contribution to the speciality of stoma care.
Who can submit?

The ASCN UK Organising Committee invites members and non-members to submit an abstract to be presented at ASCNUK26 as a poster or oral presentation.

There can be more than one author, but a maximum of two people may present. The main author/presenter should submit the abstract and is likely to present at the conference. If another person is presenting on their behalf, they must be a paid delegate.
Do I have to pay to submit my abstract?

There is no fee for submitting. If your submission is accepted for presentation or poster, you or a representative will be required to attend the conference and pay the conference registration fees. If your abstract is accepted and you are given the opportunity to speak at ASCNUK26 you will receive a 20% discount on the attendance fees. A representative can be sent on your behalf if you are unable to attend at short notice.
The structure of the abstract:
Title: appropriate, meaningful and should be as brief as possible but long enough to clearly indicate the nature of the submission topic (maximum 20 words).

Introduction: the purpose and background of the abstract and why this would be of interest/importance; aims and objectives.

Content: Brief outline of approach, study design / method.

Is it a case study, service development/evaluation; research, collaborative team working, political, education, product evaluation.

For example, a case study, literature review or study should include method (how you did it) and results (what you found or if waiting for result). Do not include product or company names.

Conclusion / Outcomes: A summary of the main results or findings clearly state the conclusion and clinical outcome. What implication/value does this have to the knowledge of specialist practice/ patient outcomes/education.

References: Maximum of 5 should be included (maximum 200 words). Use Harvard referencing please.

Learning Outcomes: Maximum of 3 should be included (maximum 50 words).

Key Words: Maximum of 3 should be included.

Word Count: The word count for an abstract for ASCNUK25 is 500 words. All abstracts should be written in English. Attention to spelling and grammar will add to the quality of your abstract.

Ensure there is a logical sequence showing the overall significance of your topic. Take time to proofread your submission very carefully.
Points to avoid within your abstract
Any specific names of people or institutions/organisations should be avoided.

No product trade names – provide descriptive of the function of the product.

Any patient names to be anonymised.
How to submit an abstract
PLEASE NOTE ONCE YOU SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EDIT IT.

Important information

Abstracts are submitted online.

If you are submitting more than one abstract, you can use the same email address and password for each abstract.

An individual abstract is required for each oral or poster submissions.

All abstracts must be submitted

The Submission Process

When you click the “Submit Here” button, you will be taken to a screen from which the submission process starts.

Submitting an abstract is a multi-step process. Each step asks several questions:

Step 1: Enter the full title of your submission in no more than 20 words.

Step 2: Choose your preferred means of presentations – poster, oral or either.

Step 3: Specify the theme that best describes your submission e.g. case study, service development/evaluation; research, collaborative team working, political, education, product evaluation (please note: this is not a marketing tool, avoid mentioning products or company names). Choose one theme which best fits your abstract, as there might be more than one.

Step 4: Enter the author(s) and their institutions.

Step 5: Enter title, abstract, references/bibliography (use the Harvard referencing system), learning outcomes and key words as directed.

Step 6: Review and save your submission before clicking the submit.
Amending a submission
Withdrawing an abstract
How are abstracts selected?
Marking criteria

Marking is based on a number of factors including the title, abstract, references/bibliography, good knowledge of topic area, flow and clarity of abstract, overall impression, learning outcomes and keywords.

The scoring depends on how many of these factors were present in the abstract.

All abstracts are anonymous during the shortlisting process. Abstracts are invited under all topics but may not be accepted if there are more than one abstract on the same/similar topic/theme.
When will I hear about the outcome of my submission?
Where are abstracts published?

All those submissions that are accepted for presentation will be published on the virtual conference platform. We will make your abstract available in the version supplied by you. It will be printed exactly as submitted which means that any errors or spelling mistakes will show.
Any questions?

Submit Abstract Here