FORM 6-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of -------------------------- 1934 ---- December 27, 2004 Commission File Number 001-14978 SMITH & NEPHEW plc (Registrant's name) 15 Adam Street London, England WC2N 6LA (Address of registrant's principal executive offices) [Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.] Form 20-F X Form 40-F ----- ----- [Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).] Yes No X ----- ------ [Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).] Yes No X ----- ------ [Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.] Yes No X ----- ------ If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- n/a. --- Total Pages: 4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Smith & Nephew plc (Registrant) Date: December 27, 2004 By: /s/ Paul Chambers ----------------- Paul Chambers Company Secretary 2 Smith & Nephew plc T 44 (0) 207 401 7646 [LOGO OMITTED] We are smith&nephew 15 Adam Street F 44 (0) 207 960 2350 London WC2N 6LA www.smith-nephew.com England SMITH & NEPHEW ANNOUNCEMENT DATES FOR 2005 AND DETAILS OF THE BRIEFING AT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS 22 December 2004 Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE:SNN; LSE:SN) will announce its preliminary results for 2004 at 12.00 noon GMT/7.00am EST on 3 February 2005. A presentation for analysts will be held at 2.00pm GMT/9.00am EST. The company will announce its quarterly results through the year as follows: Quarter 1 5 May 2005 Interims/Quarter 2 4 August 2005 Quarter 3 27 October 2005 The company will host a meeting for analysts and investors at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the largest orthopaedic congress in the world, at 8.00am (EST) on Wednesday 23 February 2005 in Washington DC. The meeting will be hosted by Sir Christopher O'Donnell, Chief Executive, with presentations from Dave Illingworth, President of Smith & Nephew's orthopaedics business, and Jim Taylor, President of the endoscopy business. The presentations will focus on Smith & Nephew products being exhibited by the orthopaedic and endoscopy businesses at the surgeon meeting. These will also be broadcast live by webcast on the Smith & Nephew website at www.smith-nephew.com and will be available on the site archive shortly afterwards. About Us Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE:SNN) is one of the world's leading medical devices companies, specialising in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew ranks as the global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is the fastest growing full-line orthopaedics company in the world. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeon and healthcare professional customers, with whom its name is synonymous with the highest standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has over 8,000 employees and operates in 32 countries around the world, generating sales of over (GBP) 1 billion. News Enquiries: UK Smith & Nephew Contact Peter Nind Tel: +44 (0)20 7401 7646 Corporate Affairs Manager US Smith & Nephew Contact Angie Craig Tel: +1 212 850 5756 Vice President US Investor and Media Relations