A Summit on Emerging Diseases: Lessons from SARS was held at the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia from 24 to 26 April 2004. The Summit was attended by 23 Chief Nursing Officers, two SARS consultants, one WHO regional nursing advisor, the University-based Summit convener, three academic, two members of secretariat of the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, and a guest infection control nurse consultant.