27th June 2018

All Wales NHS conference encourages collaboration in the Welsh health and care community

For the third year running, MediWales Connects has brought together the NHS, industry and academia from all over Wales for a day of valuable knowledge sharing and networking. The annual conference, organised by MediWales – the life science network for Wales, connects representatives from Welsh NHS health boards, trusts and bodies in one place, along with delegates from companies and universities. After two years in Cardiff, the 2018 conference took place in Swansea for the first time, on 20th June, hosted by Swansea University School of Management who were the headline partner.

Professor Marc Clement, Dean of Swansea University School of Management, said: “We are delighted to support MediWales Connects as headline sponsor. Our strategy focuses on sustainable economies, health and wellbeing and digitisation, and our association with MediWales reflects this. Globally and locally, society faces many challenges and the collaborative involvement of business, education and government is crucial to success in meeting these.”

Keynote speakers at the conference included Dr Andrew Goodall, the Director General of Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales; Aneira Thomas, who was the first baby born into the NHS; and Suzanne Sheppard, representing the British Heart Foundation, who spoke about the impact of living with an inherited cardiac condition.

Twice during the day, the conference programme split into parallel streams, covering themes including Transforming the Frontline, Demonstrating Impact, NHS People and Designing Improvement. Workshops throughout the day explored topics such as digital health technology, diabetes, wound care and atrial fibrillation.

By bringing together the NHS, industry and academia in one place to highlight exceptional work and discuss key issues, MediWales Connects encourages innovation and collaboration within the health and care community in Wales.

Due to the ongoing success of MediWales Connects, the first North Wales Connects will now be held in Wrexham on 17th-18th October 2018.