05/05/09
Minister is keen to commend Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences
Health Minister Ann Keen has praised lecturers and researchers after attending the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences’ recent annual conference. More than 200 people attended the event at the Royal Society of Medicine in central London on 27 April. The aim of the eighth annual conference for the Faculty was to share good practice and show how working with partner organisations could inspire research, learning, teaching and practice.
Ms Keen, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, said she had been impressed by the wide range of collaborative activities undertaken by the Faculty. “I was delighted to see the extent of the Faculty's work in collaborating with other agencies to produce good practice that can be shared locally, nationally and internationally,” she said. “Work of this kind not only enhances the University's reputation, it also helps to produce a higher quality of education, service and care.”
The event showcased research on such subjects as numeracy for nurses, dealing with stroke patients, preparing students for work in the NHS, and how patients and carers have influenced health policy. Much of the research was undertaken with partner organisations including colleges and NHS trusts, reflecting the conference’s theme of ‘Innovation through Collaboration’.
Fiona Ross, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, said she was delighted that the health minister had spared time from her busy schedule to support the conference. “We believe in aiming for the best while providing opportunities to develop the potential of our students and staff. We shared good practice and released ideas and energy to further build the education and academic excellence that the health and social care workforce in London deserves,” she said.
The day-long event included presentations from Ms Keen, Karen Middleton, Chief Health Professionals Officer at the Department of Health, and Ray Jones, the Faculty’s Professor of Social Work.
Participants also took part in workshops on projects including a basic numeracy course for potential nursing students. The course, developed by the Faculty, South London Lifelong Learning Network and Merton College, has proved so successful that it is now being rolled out to further education colleges around the country. Another workshop examined the benefits to radiography students and health trusts of a simulated cancer treatment room, known as a Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT).
