September 2, 2019

Great minds gather to envision person-centred health care

Thought leaders visit Innovation Campus for UOW Health Symposium

Thought leaders in health will meet at Innovation Campus for the University of Wollongong (UOW) 2019 Health Symposium on Wednesday, 4 September.

Together they will discuss their vision for a person-centred health care system.

About 90 health professionals and practitioners from public and private sectors, academics, health advocates, community health representatives, university staff and students will critically examine the challenges and controversies facing Australia’s health care sector.

The gathering of key local health stakeholders will be the first of its kind hosted by UOW, which is planning to build a person-centred Health and Wellbeing Precinct on site.

The event has been jointly created by UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Health and Communities) Professor Alison Jones and UOW Executive Dean of the Social Sciences Faculty Professor Glenn Salkeld.

“By bringing together innovative thinkers we aim to create an environment for debate on delivering the best person-centred care models of the future,” Professor Jones said.

Professor Salkeld said patients benefit when the health industry works hand in hand with researchers.

“Aligning research into clinical practice is key and this conference examines how big data can play most effectively into excellence in prevention and clinical care,” he said. 

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant and Senior Executives from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District will attend the Health Symposium as key partners on this journey of state, national and international significance.

Ita Buttrose AC OBE, will lead proceedings with a keynote address, followed by presentations and panel sessions led by respected advisors, professionals, academics and advocates.

Health Consumers NSW Executive Director Dr Anthony Brown will deliver a presentation about building a person-centred health service with people and patients.

Dr Brown is a passionate advocate for involving patients in the design of health care facilities and services.

“We have a health service that wants to be person-centred, however we very rarely have people who use the system involved in designing it,” Dr Brown said.

“The insights that doctors and nurses bring are really valuable, but the more we involve patients in the design of services the more we can help people in their healing.”

The symposium will end with a two-hour networking event, giving guests a chance to chat with delegates, speakers and UOW staff.

The event is sponsored by the McKinnon Walker Trust, a fund that fosters innovation and supports excellence at UOW.

Media Resources

For the full program visit this webpage.

Photos taken at the health symposium will be available for editorial use via this Dropbox link following the event.

To interview Dr Anthony Brown in the lead up to the event, please contact the UOW Media Office.

To follow the event on Twitter, UOW will be Tweeting live from the event via handle @UOW

Guests will be encouraged to use the hashtag #UOWhealthwellbeing