Julie Wilson and James Martin from SmellTaste, Scotland, attended the British Rhinological Society Conference on the 17th May, at Glasgow’s Science Centre. The conference revealed encouraging signs regarding SmellTaste’s growing influence within the healthcare community.

Julie Wilson and James Martin

The SmellTaste stand was in the general exhibition area, and a well-attended conference meant that they were busy when lunchtime came. A number of healthcare professionals asked to be signed up for the SmellTaste newsletter. Many said they were very pleased that SmellTaste is such a strong presence now, as they signpost patients to the website and have gained lots of useful information themselves.

There was talk too about the prospects for member contact in two regions: one for a local support group to be set up, the other for SmellTaste members to agree to present their experiences of anosmia and/or taste disorders at local health professional training days. Needless to say, these expressions of interest were carefully noted by James and Julie and will be subject to further discussion in the days and weeks ahead.

We’re very pleased to be able to announce the publication of the first piece of research that SmellTaste and our members have directly contributed to.

Chemical Senses journal have published a paper co-authored by Mr Carl Philpott, Senior Lecturer at UEA and Director of the Smell and Taste Clinic at James Paget Hospital, and SmellTaste Founder Duncan Boak.

The Impact of Olfactory Disorders in the United Kingdom is drawn from the first 496 responses to the ongoing ‘Quality of Life Impact of Smell and Taste Disorders’ survey amongst the SmellTaste membership.

To view the paper’s abstract and to obtain a copy of the full text, visit the Oxford Journals website here.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all SmellTaste members who have completed the survey and played their part in helping us make an important step forward in research into smell and taste-related disorders.