WPA webinar on pre-operative liquid fasting

WONCA is pleased to take part in a webinar organised by the World Patients Alliance (WPA) in collaboration with the European Patient Safety Foundation (EUPSF), titled "Liquid Fasting Before an Operation: Reducing Risk, Improving Care".

Prof. Maria Pilar Astier Peña, WONCA President Elect, will represent WONCA on the panel, bringing the perspective of family doctors to the discussion.

Event details

• Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2026
• Time: 15:00 to 16:30 CEST (9:00 to 10:30 EST)
• Format: 90-minute virtual session, featuring a keynote presentation, patient stories, and a multi-stakeholder panel discussion

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About the webinar

Despite significant evidence, many patients still experience prolonged "nothing after midnight" fasting before an operation, sometimes going without clear liquids for 12 hours or more. This can cause distress, thirst, hunger, anxiety, dehydration, and delayed recovery, with no demonstrated clinical benefit.

Following the publication of the International Multidisciplinary Consensus Statement on Pre-operative Liquid Fasting, WPA and EUPSF are bringing current fasting practices into open discussion. The webinar places consensus recommendations, real-world clinical practice, and patient experience into dialogue, and explores what it would take to make perioperative care safer, more respectful, and more patient-centred.

WONCA's contribution will focus on the role of family doctors in patient education, communication, pre-operative preparation, and continuity of care across the patient journey.

Programme

Welcome and introductions by Andrew Spiegel, Chair, WPA.

Presentations:

• From 'Nothing After Midnight' to Evidence-Based Care: The New International Consensus on Pre-operative Liquid Fasting. Dr. Anne Rüggeberg (Germany), Anaesthesiologist and Lead of the Fasting Card Project.
• Patient Perspective: Real-World Examples from Different Regions. Helen Haskell, Chair, WPA Patient Safety and Quality Council.

Panel discussion: Solutions and Next Steps. Moderated by Helen Haskell, WPA. Panelists:

• Anne Rüggeberg (Germany), Anaesthesiologist, Lead of Consensus Statement
• Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta (Malta), Anaesthesiologist, representing European and national anaesthesiology societies
• Doina Carmen Mazilu (Romania), EUPSF Board member and Vice-President of the Order of Nurses, Midwives and Medical Assistants in Romania
• Jolanta Bilińska, Founding Board Director, WPA
• Prof. Maria Pilar Astier Peña, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA)

Q&A, followed by closing remarks from Mrs. Mirka Cikkelova, General Secretary, EUPSF.