29th June 2017
Second all Wales NHS conference advances Welsh collaborations with industry
Last week the Welsh health and care communities came together in Cardiff for MediWales Connects, the only all Wales NHS collaboration conference. The event was organised by MediWales, the life science network for Wales. Representatives from each of the NHS Wales health boards were in attendance, as well as delegates from universities and industry, to share knowledge and explore opportunities for collaboration in the future.
The conference opened with an introduction from Gwyn Tudor, CEO of MediWales, and a keynote speech from Dr Andrew Goodall, Director General of Health & Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales, looking at the importance of collaborative working across the Welsh health sector.
The ‘big question’ of the day was then introduced – How can NHS Wales and industry collaborate more in the future? Delegates were invited to tweet their ideas and the best ones were used during a panel discussion in the afternoon. Other topics of keynote speeches throughout the day included sepsis from a patient’s perspective and the launch of AgorIP, Swansea University’s new initiative for supporting and commercialising innovation.
Twice during the conference, the programme split into parallel streams for presentations covering the themes of Innovative Initiatives, Technology Innovation, Community & Public Health and Industry Collaborations. These sessions featured speakers from NHS Wales health boards and trusts, as well as innovators from industry and academia.
In two sets of interactive workshops throughout the day, delegates were also invited to discuss developments in respiratory medicine, cancer treatment, social prescribing and more. Meanwhile in the breaks, delegates had the opportunity to network and visit exhibition stands, where new medical technology and research were on display.
Following the conference’s successful launch last year, MediWales Connects 2017 attracted 30 exhibitors and 300 delegates. By encouraging engagement and supporting closer working relationships between the NHS, industry and academia, the event helps drive the NHS forward and create a more connected, effective healthcare system.