Free conference will take place at the University’s Westlakes Campus in Cumbria on October 12.
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is inviting people across Cumbria to an event which will explore how digital technology could help improve the region’s healthcare services.
The free conference will take place at the University’s Westlakes Campus in Cumbria on October 12.
Healthcare provision in West Cumbria has been affected by several issues recently, relating to the recruitment of doctors and nurses, large NHS debts and the threat of care services being downgraded.
The event will consider potential solutions to these challenges, with a focus on the impact of state-of-the-art digital technology being used in the NHS.
Professor James Rourke, international leader in the provision of health services in remote and rural areas, will also address issues relating to healthcare provision in remote areas, as part of a week-long visit to UCLan from Canada.
"It’s great to have the support of Professor Rourke, who is an incredibly valuable source of expertise, especially in relation to the delivery of healthcare in rural and remote areas."
Professor of Family Medicine at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada’s largest university, he has served as chair of the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) and has received international acclaim for his specialist knowledge.
Professor Cathy Jackson, Head of the Medical School at UCLan, said: “It’s great to have the support of Professor Rourke, who is an incredibly valuable source of expertise, especially in relation to the delivery of healthcare in rural and remote areas. We will see what lessons we might take forwards to develop a centre of excellence for remote and rural medical education and research in West Cumbria.
“Issues affecting healthcare provision in the region have been widely reported, and through our work at UCLan’s Medical School we’re committed to helping achieve better outcomes for both staff and patients.
“We welcome anyone who is interested in exploring these issues to come along to the event.”
Attendees will also hear from speakers including Dr William Lumb, Chief Clinical Information Officer at the NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, Professor Colville Laird, Chair of the Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, Dr Ian Briggs, Associate Director of Business Development at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and Veronica Southern, a specialist in the innovative design development and delivery of clinical services.
"Issues affecting healthcare provision in the region have been widely reported, and through our work at UCLan’s Medical School we’re committed to helping achieve better outcomes for both staff and patients."
UCLan is also creating a new research, teaching and medical education centre to help develop healthcare in West Cumbria. The West Cumberland Medical Education Centre is being developed in partnership with North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group and the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The event will take place at the new centre within the Samuel Lindow building between 9pm – 5pm. For more information, contact Steve Minto on 01946 517220 or sminto2@uclan.ac.uk.
Places can be registered via Eventbrite.