Better together: Event showcases importance of collaboration in patient safety

Patient Safety Translational Research Centres’ leadership united at Sixth Annual Symposium.

Our Annual NIHR Imperial Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (PSTRC) Symposium is upon us, bringing with it the opportunity to share, learn and consider ways to achieve our overarching vision: the delivery of safer healthcare.

Last year, our Centre was delighted by the announcement of a £17 million investment over five years into three NIHR PSTRCs – Imperial, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire, marking the beginning of a refreshed research journey for us. But it also presented the exciting chance to explore avenues for collaboration and diffuse important learnings from our successes. That’s why our annual Symposium draws together Directors from each of the three Centres, alongside a diverse array of panellists and speakers who each bring unique experience and expertise to the table.

“It has been an honour to lead our renewed PSTRC and a pleasure to work with my team at Imperial and our colleagues in Manchester and Yorkshire to explore new horizons for patient safety,” said Professor the Lord Ara Darzi, Director of the Imperial PSTRC.

“This event not only convenes experts from our own field, but it invites insights from other industries.”

In particular, this year’s Symposium focuses on new frontiers of patient safety with digital health, welcoming guests such as security start-up founder Cal Leeming to discuss the pernicious issue of data hacking. On the topic of cybersecurity and what it means for patient safety, Cal will be joined by other experts in the digital healthcare world including DeepMind’s Director of Engineering Andrew Eland, and NHS Digital’s CEO Sarah Wilkinson.

We’re extremely grateful for everyone who has enabled this annual tradition to continue once more, moulding what promises to be both an engaging and insightful day for all.

If you’d like to join in on the debates and discussions of the day, follow us on Twitter using the hashtag #ImperialPSTRC2018.