All immunology trainees, immunology clinical scientists, allergy trainees and BPIIG registered paediatric trainees are welcome to join the hitchhikers training group.

The training program is based around a three yearly cycle with three to four meetings each year consisting of two-day meetings being run by a single centre or by two geographically linked centres. The programme for each meeting is arranged by the local organiser allowing centres to teach to local strengths and interests. Each day will be focused around a broad topic, with teaching on the basic immunology relevant to the topic, clinical and laboratory aspects and interactive sessions for trainees to present and discuss their own material. The aim of the meetings is to provide trainees with insights that may not be available in their local centre. These training days are not a substitute for local coverage of the JRCPTB curriculum.

The meetings also provide an essential opportunity for trainees to meet their counterparts from other centres. Organisers are asked to schedule a regular 30 minute trainee forum slot into each meeting.

The meetings receive generous commercial sponsorship; we are able to reimburse costs of the overnight accommodation and course dinner. Sponsors are invited to attend the meetings and course dinner. The administration of the programme is undertaken by the Association of Clinical Pathologists. The ACP provides the central co-ordination of the programme, through this website.

Registration for attendance at the meetings, programmes for the training days and notification of future meetings requires the payment of an annual fee to the ACP, currently £50 per annum. Information on the training days will be accessible on this website after an individual has been given a username and password. This will only be given after payment is received.

To register your details with the ACP, contact admin@pathologists.org.uk