A unique conference

Thoughts from the Co-Chairs

What’s special about the Australian Bleeding Disorders Conference? HFA interviewed the Co-Chairs of the 2025 Conference, Dr Simon Brown and Dr Jane Mason.

Dr Simon Brown is the Haemophilia Treatment Centre Director at Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane.

Dr Jane Mason is the Haemophilia Treatment Centre Director at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Queensland.

HFA: What makes the Australian Bleeding Disorders Conference unique or different from other events?

Dr Simon Brown: I’ve always found that conferences like HFA and WFH are most impactful when individuals with bleeding disorders share their personal experiences. These perspectives offer invaluable insight. In the medical field, it’s easy to become entrenched in a clinical or ‘medicalised’ view of the world. Hearing directly from those living with these conditions challenges that mindset in meaningful ways. Their stories often spark new lines of inquiry – ones that might otherwise remain unexplored.

Dr Jane Mason: What truly sets this conference apart is its remarkable inclusivity – clinicians and patients stand together, side by side, as equal contributors. This shared space sparks genuine collaboration, where the lived experiences of patients are not just heard but celebrated. Their stories are powerful, often deeply moving, and serve to remind us all of the real-world impact of our work.

Equally, the multidisciplinary nature of the meeting enriches every conversation. It’s not unusual to come away with a fresh insight from a physiotherapist, nurse or social worker—perspectives that prompt reflection and, on occasion, lead to meaningful changes in my own clinical practice. This dynamic blend of voices and expertise is what makes the event so vibrant and transformative.

‘What truly sets this conference apart is its remarkable inclusivity – clinicians and patients stand together, side by side, as equal contributors.’
Dr Jane Mason

HFA: What are you most excited to talk about at the Conference?

Dr Simon Brown: The evolution of comprehensive care for bleeding disorders is entering a transformative phase. Emerging therapies are challenging long-standing treatment paradigms, prompting critical conversations about how we fund these innovations and adapt our models of care. As we move toward the next generation of treatments, we must reimagine not only how care is delivered, but also how it remains accessible, sustainable, and patient-centred.

Dr Jane Mason: This year, I have the privilege of both speaking and chairing in the minor procedures session – a segment that has direct relevance to daily life with a bleeding disorder. Our focus will be on the seemingly routine interventions that many encounter throughout life: dental extractions, minor surgeries, colonoscopies or even simple biopsies. While these procedures might sound unremarkable, for someone with a bleeding disorder, they can present significant risks if not carefully managed.

We want to emphasise just how critical it is to inform your Haemophilia Treatment Centre ahead of time and work together to develop a tailored plan. A proactive approach, with clear communication and preparation, can transform what might otherwise become a complicated ordeal into a smooth, safe experience. It’s often the ordinary, ‘minor’ procedures – those we might be tempted to overlook – that pose the greatest threats if the appropriate treatments aren’t in place.

By sharing insights from both clinicians and patients who have navigated these situations, we hope to equip everyone with practical strategies, foster a sense of empowerment, and, ultimately, prevent avoidable complications.

‘To me, teamwork is a cornerstone of care for individuals with bleeding disorders. It extends far beyond the staff within a Treatment Centre – encompassing clinical decision-making, government policy, and collaboration among colleagues at both national and international levels.’
Dr Simon Brown

HFA: How does the Conference help build connections and foster teamwork within the bleeding disorders community?

Dr Simon Brown: To me, teamwork is a cornerstone of care for individuals with bleeding disorders. It extends far beyond the staff within a Treatment Centre – encompassing clinical decision-making, government policy, and collaboration among colleagues at both national and international levels. Delivering safe and effective therapies requires a unified effort across all these domains.

Meetings like this one offer a valuable opportunity to strengthen those connections and align our collective focus on the shared goal of optimal patient outcomes. On several occasions, I’ve reached out to international colleagues – such as Cedric Hermans – for guidance on complex clinical scenarios, or to industry partners regarding potential therapies for unique cases. Teamwork truly permeates every aspect of clinical care.

Dr Jane Mason: Teamwork truly lies at the heart of haemophilia care. Over the years, I’ve been continually inspired by the insights shared by fellow clinicians – these exchanges often spark new collaborations, leading us to co-author research and develop innovative approaches together.

What I find especially powerful is witnessing the diverse ways colleagues tackle familiar challenges. Sometimes, it’s a subtle shift in protocol or a new tool for patient engagement that makes all the difference. By embracing these fresh perspectives and learning from one another, we create space for improvement, ensuring our care evolves. This collective spirit of learning and adaptation is what drives our field forward, making it possible for us to deliver safer, more effective outcomes – together.

HFA: This year marks our 23rd Conference! What are you looking forward to as a Chair?

Dr Simon Brown: As you know, I was especially keen for the Conference to be held in Brisbane, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Haemophilia Centres in Queensland – a milestone worth celebrating. I’m deeply grateful to the HFA team for helping make this vision a reality. I hope the conference not only honours this achievement, but also offers attendees a chance to enjoy the Queensland sunshine and the vibrant spirit of our community.

Dr Jane Mason: To be honest, casting my mind back to my very first conference is a challenge – I have to admit, the details are a bit hazy! If memory serves, it was in 2015, at a time when I was a senior registrar with aspirations for a future in bleeding disorders care.

Since then, my journey has been full of growth and opportunity: I’ve moved on to become Director of Haemophilia at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and am now privileged to care for people across the whole lifespan, holding appointments at both Queensland Children’s Hospital and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. The path has also given me the chance to dive into research and form collaborations with haemophilia clinicians worldwide, continually learning from peers near and far and contributing, in some small way, to the progress of our field.

HFA: What do you think will have the biggest impact on people with bleeding disorders in the next 10 years?

Dr Simon Brown: If you had asked me this question back in 1999, when I began my first consultant appointment at The Katharine Dormandy Centre in London, my answer would have been gene therapy. And today, my response remains the same. Yet, it’s now tempered by a broader awareness: despite the remarkable progress we’ve made, many individuals with bleeding disorders around the world remain undiagnosed or lack access to essential therapies.

Looking ahead, one of the most meaningful advancements over the next decade would be to redress these global disparities. Ensuring equitable access to care and treatment for all – regardless of geography – would be a truly transformative achievement.

Dr Jane Mason: Without question, the further advancement of novel therapies will shape the future of care for those living with bleeding disorders. Having had the privilege to witness firsthand the effects of gene therapy clinical trials – and to personally administer this therapy to more than ten individuals – I see enormous promise on the horizon. Yet, the journey is far from over. The goal remains a reliable, safe, and durable gene therapy option accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.

However, we must not lose sight of a deeper challenge – the glaring inequity in diagnosis and access to care. With an estimated two-thirds of people with bleeding disorders globally still undiagnosed or unable to receive appropriate treatment, bridging this gap stands to make the greatest impact of all. Progress in science is vital, but progress in equity is essential; only by addressing both can we ensure that the benefits of innovation reach every corner of our community.