9th June 2016

ARCH Festival of Innovation event gets new Economy Minister’s seal of approval

Innovation is changing the way we live and South West Wales is proving to be leading innovation in health and life sciences.

As part of the Welsh Government’s 2016 Wales Festival of Innovation, the ARCH partnership is bringing together an impressive line up of experts who are all helping to shape the future of healthcare in this region.

ARCH (Regional Collaboration for Health) is a unique partnership between Swansea University and ABMU and Hywel Dda health boards. The ARCH partners are bringing together health and science to improve the health, wealth and wellbeing of South West Wales and  transform the way healthcare is delivered.

Innovation is one of the cornerstones of ARCH’s aims.

To celebrate ARCH’s revolutionary approach, and to showcase the innovation driving this work, there is a free Festival of Innovation event being held at Swansea University’s Singleton Campus later this month.

Swansea University’s Head of the College of Human and Health Science, Professor Ceri Phillips, who is also a member of the ARCH Programme Board, said: “ARCH is bringing together health and science to transform the NHS in this region. We are also working together to train and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses, health workers, scientists, innovators and leaders, and also help the local economy to thrive by encouraging investment opportunities and creating new jobs.

“The ARCH partners are collaborating to create a new image of healthcare provision. This free event brings together leading experts to showcase what’s coming next, and how the region and indeed Wales is leading the way in crafting a new health and social care system that is fit for the needs of the 21st century.

“Our aim is simple, we want to showcase what this region has to offer. We have so many talented people leading the way through innovation, through our first class academia for education and training, for research and development and for developing innovative that will contribute to the establishment and development of new models for health and wellbeing.”

The Festival, which has events taking place across Wales between June 20 and July 1, is designed to provide the public with the rare opportunity to view first-hand how Wales is at the forefront of enabling technologies which underpin key industry sectors.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates added: “The festival aims to support the exchange of ideas and concepts which could create collaborations and inspire a new generation of innovative products, solutions and cultural endeavours.

“We are delighted the innovative ARCH partnership is providing a free day full of amazing innovation and research by bringing together an impressive line up of speakers who are all helping to shape the future of healthcare in Wales.”

Topics covered during the day on Wednesday, June 29, will include the revolutionary area of Precision Medicine which is transforming the way cancer is treated, an insight into ground-breaking research taking place at Swansea University in brain science which could see an end to low moods caused by stress and innovation taking place around autism and diabetes.

Leighton Phillips, Swansea University’s advisor on health, added: “There will be the opportunity to discuss the innovation taking place with these leading experts in their field and network with these innovators.

“Collaboration, underpinned by academic innovation and excellence, is vital if we are to fundamentally change the health of our region and how their healthcare is delivered. This event will give people the chance to speak directly to those people in this transformation.”

The ARCH Festival of Innovation day takes place on Wednesday, June 29, from 8.30am-5pm at the Seminar Room at ILS1 on Singleton Campus. You can attend the whole day or the session which interest you most. To register for the free event visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search A Regional Collaboration for Health.

For other festival of Innovation events taking place click here