Sonic Healthcare UK
Research & Innovation Symposium
A Day to Empower, Engage and Excite
On Thursday 14 November, the Sonic Healthcare UK (SHUK) Research and Innovation Symposium took place, held at the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road, London. After a four-year break, it was a resounding success!
Guests poured into the venue from 8.30am. They explored exhibitor stands by Roche, Sebia, BD, Sysmex and Hologic, and the quality management area dedicated to World Quality Day, before making their way to the Henry Wellcome auditorium for the morning introductions.
SHUK CEO, David Byrne, formally opened the Symposium with an inspirational foreword, highlighting the innovations born as a result of the pandemic and the future opportunities to look forward to in healthcare.
Dr Stephen Fairy, Group Chief Medical Officer at our parent company, Sonic Healthcare, delivered a fascinating keynote address on the role of anatomical pathology in medicine and how AI is transforming diagnostic reporting in collaboration with pathologists
Digital pathology and AI were the focus of the morning session. Chaired by Dr. Aiman Haider, speakers Prof. Greg Shaw, Dr Adam Levine, Dr Sara Trompeter, and Dr Nicholas Gleadall shared practical examples of clinical and research studies involving the successful use of these technologies.
The afternoon session highlighted the incredible innovations in clinical diagnostics led by Health Services Laboratories and getting it right first time (GIRFT). SHUK Molecular Haematology Operational Manager, Robert Baker, Molecular Virology Scientific Lead, Dr Paul Grant MBE, and Haemostasis Manager, Deepak Singh, presented and participated in a panel discussion led by Assay Development Scientist, Dr Jude Heaney
Guests were treated to a second keynote address by NHS GIRFT Leader, Dr Tom Lewis, who gave an engaging talk on the alignment of GIRFT recommendations and ISO15189 with patient value. Daniel Frayne, SHUK Director of Performance Projects, delivered a presentation on our internal GIRFT recognition scheme. He was joined by Deputy Head of the UCLH RRL Haemostasis Department, Sabina McCann, Deputy Head of HSL-AD, Josep Linares, and UCLH RRL Haematology Scientific Lead, Billy Janda, who shared their experiences of implementing GIRFT in their departments.
During the breaks, colleagues were provided the opportunity to showcase their scientific research to spectators and judges as part of a poster competition. There were 13 posters in total and the winners were announced by SHUK Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rachael Liebmann OBE, and Stephen Fairy, before the Symposium was brought to a close and attendees were invited to network
Well done to all colleagues who presented, and congratulations to joint winners HSL-AD Quality Manager, Sahar Zargarzadeh and Sabina McCann
The Research and Innovation Symposium offered a day filled with shared knowledge, collaboration, and forward-thinking conversation, which indeed empowered, engaged, and excited staff about the future of healthcare and pathology.
Staff will be entitled to receive RCPath and IBMS CPD credits for attending this event – part day: 4 CPD points / full day: 7 CPD points.
Images are courtesy of Jas Lehal Photography
Thank you to our sponsors
