Life Sciences Hub Wales is working with three senior leaders from NHS Wales as Adoption Ambassadors.
As part of building a network across Wales, Dr Mark Briggs, Assistant Director of Innovation at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Dr Leighton Phillips, Director for Research, Innovation and University Partnerships at Hywel Dda University Health Board and Dr Tom Powell, Head of Innovation at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have recently joined the Life Sciences Hub Wales team.
Working on a pan-Wales basis, they will support stronger networking and collaboration across the innovation ecosystem with a focus on accelerating the adoption of key innovative products and services at pace and scale.
Dr Rhodri Griffiths, Life Sciences Hub Wales Innovation Adoption Director, said:
“Adoption of new innovative products and solutions that can transform health and social care services, is not happening as quickly or at the scale that is needed mainly due to system and capacity challenges. I am delighted that our new adoption ambassadors will be helping to identify how current barriers can be overcome, building and supporting strengthened partnerships using their extensive networks and understanding of innovation to drive forward necessary change.”
How will they support more rapid adoption of innovation??
The Adoption Ambassadors will help to strengthen relationships across Wales between health and social care professionals, academia and industry by undertaking direct engagement, supporting the building of networks and taking part in various activities.
They will provide an important bridge between local, national and international organisations delivering initiatives and work programmes, acting as advocates. Identifying needs and supporting innovative projects, solutions and best practice the ambassadors will raise awareness of opportunities, support roll out and link innovators with the range of support Life Sciences Hub Wales provides including horizon scanning, securing funding and project delivery.
What will each Ambassador do?
Each of the Adoption Ambassadors brings a wealth of experience working in and with the NHS, academia and industry. They will spend up to one day a week as honorary ambassadors with each person’s work aligned to a theme identified as key for transformation to a Healthier Wales.
Dr Tom Powell is focusing on the effective adoption of innovative digital solutions as part of the Digital Health Ecosystem Wales (DHEW) programme.
Dr Tom Powell said:
“If successfully embedded into our health and social care systems NHS Wales, AI and digital innovation will help to improve lives. We are yet to see only a small fraction of the possible and a digital revolution is now underway. I’m delighted to be working with Life Sciences Hub Wales to help make the adoption of new digital solutions easier for all involved.”
Dr Mark Briggs is focussed on precision medicine, moving from the traditional one-size-fits-all form of medicine to more preventative, personalised, data-driven disease management model.
Dr Mark Briggs said:
“We’ve seen incredible progress in precision medicine and look forward to accelerated adoption and developments in Wales. This offers huge opportunities to benefit people and provides a platform to work closely with industry to co-develop solutions as well as supporting the development of expertise and competence in this area. I look forward to continuing to contribute and supporting clinicians, researchers, developers, innovators and adopters to make a difference.”
Dr Leighton Phillips is focussing on identifying the system changes and overcoming barriers to ensure accelerated access to innovation.
Dr Leighton Phillips said:
“There are so many innovations which offer the potential to address serious challenges and transform our health and social care services. Wales has tremendous opportunities and examples of best practice but we need to strengthen our innovation pathways, improving and streamlining routes to adoption. Life Sciences Hub Wales has an important role to play in convening and supporting key partners to work together to drive forward the all Wales system changes required."
How can I get involved?
If you would like to learn more about how Life Sciences Hub Wales and how our Adoption Ambassadors could support your proven innovative solution be adopted and spread across Wales at pace and scale, then get in touch by emailing hello@lshubwales.com.
