On Tuesday 21 October, the University of South Wales became our hub for the day to focus on cross-sector collaboration.
Colleagues from across key organisations representing healthcare, industry, academia and beyond gathered for an event exploring collaborative approaches to cancer innovation. Life Sciences Hub Wales hosted this in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences.
From the very first conversations on arrival, I was struck by the energy and commitment in the room. It was clear that everyone was here not just to listen, but to contribute. The diversity of perspectives, from clinicians to patient advocates and researchers to innovators, created a rich environment for ideas-sharing and learning.
This dynamic event was a powerful reminder of the energy, ambition and willingness to work together collaboratively to drive forward innovation in cancer treatment and care in Wales.
Highlights
Across the day, we heard from enthusiastic partners each sharing their perspectives on the priorities and challenges facing cancer innovation.
- Patient perspective: Julie Hepburn’s talk was a powerful reminder of the real-world impact that is possible when we involve patients in our work. Julie’s words showed us that along with the technical and strategic aspects of innovation, patient perspectives are crucial for us to achieve our mission of improving cancer outcomes and experiences for the people of Wales.
- National cancer team: Professor Tom Crosby outlined the progress and ambitions of the National Cancer Team, highlighting opportunities for innovation driven by clinical insight and the dedication of Cancer Site Groups.
- Breakout sessions: Attendees split into groups to tackle two topics: digital innovation and early diagnostics. There was a genuine willingness to share, challenge, and build on each other’s ideas, which is exactly the kind of collaboration we need to drive change.
- Collaborate to innovate: The discussion panel brought together expert voices from across sectors, to discuss how we should be working together to drive meaningful change in Wales.
- A stand-out moment: One panellist joined us straight from a call, bringing with them some fantastic news. A decision has just been made to take a pilot project into business as usual. The spontaneous round of applause demonstrated the genuine system-wide passion for driving innovation forward in Wales.
Takeaways
- Collaboration is key: The energy in the room was testament to the appetite for working together. We can’t do it alone and we all have a vital role to play.
- Patient-Centred Innovation: We must keep the patient voice at the heart of innovation to ensure new solutions truly meet the needs of all communities impacted by cancer.
- Digital tools and early diagnostics: There are opportunities in these areas, coming from start-ups to legacy organisations. How do we do embrace innovations from both and all those in between?
- An honest approach to challenges: There are barriers ranging from how to streamline information governance to accessing meaningful funding. We shouldn’t ignore the challenges, but as a nation, Wales is in a fantastic position to address these.
What’s next?
The conversations at this event are just the beginning.
- Stay in touch: Reach out to fellow attendees, speakers, or organisers to continue the conversation. You can connect with Life Sciences Hub Wales through our Enquiry Form.
- Apply: If you have an idea for a collaborative project, check out the Cancer Care Accelerator Fund. If you want to explore opportunities to spend time in another sector, the Cross-Sector Experience Awards could be for you.
- Every voice counts: Spread the word about the importance of cross-sector collaboration in cancer innovation.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we’ll continue to make a real difference for cancer care in Wales.