National Digital Healthcare Conference Returns To Inverness

14th October 2012

Mo Farah's sports physiologist, the Medical Director of NHS 24 and the Head of Enforcement at the Food Standards Agency are just three of the experts speaking at the P4 Digital 2012 conference in Inverness next month.

Over 200 doctors, researchers, technical experts and business leaders from across the country are gathering at the fifth national conference to discuss the latest developments in digital healthcare.

Organised by development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), P4 Digital 2012 is focusing on the innovative use of digital technology to promote health and prevent illness.

P4 Digital 2012 is the latest in a series of successful events looking at the cutting edge of digital healthcare. These events have evolved from a unique network of forward thinking leaders from industry, academia and statutory healthcare who are actively working to create new and different ways of delivering health and care in response to growing global challenges.

Professor George Crooks OBE, Medical Director at NHS 24, is opening the conference by presenting the 10 year plan for digital healthcare in Scotland. Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah's Physiologist, Dr. Barry Fudge - who is Senior Physiologist at the English Institute of Sport - will explain the role of technology in the delivery of physiological support to world class track and field athletes. Other speakers include representatives from the Food Standards Agency, London Metropolitan University, Copernicus Technology and Inverness College UHI.

Dr Steven Dodsworth, Head of Life Sciences at HIE, said: "As healthcare becomes more predictive, preventative, personalised and participatory, enabled by digital technology, these events provide an opportunity to discuss the latest developments and future direction of this fascinating and rapidly changing field.

"The Highlands and Islands is developing a reputation for its expertise in digital healthcare and has a long history of delivering healthcare remotely. Along the A96 corridor from Inverness to Elgin, over 40 organisations have been identified as having interests in Digital Healthcare. It is here that two of our sites, Inverness Campus and the Enterprise Park Forres, have been identified and given multi-million pound investment as part of the Scottish Government Life Sciences Enterprise Area. Alongside these two developments, the new Alexander Graham Bell Centre in Elgin will become a hub for research, education and continuing professional development in digital healthcare."

Topics on the programme include the role of digital technology in mental health, the changing role of primary care, P4 and diabetes, doing business in an accelerating market, and disruptive technologies. Each day will also include a number of break-out sessions, with panels hosted by leading experts across digital technology and healthcare. These include Pennie Taylor, journalist and health communications specialist; Dr Ken Proctor, NHS Highland Associate Medical Director; and Dr Bradley Wilson and Dr Haidar Samiei of iED Applications.

P4 Digital 2012 will take place at Eden Court on November 20 and 21. For more information or to book your place, please visit www.hie.co.uk/lifesciences/p4-digital-2012/ or contact Mairi Macleod at Mairi.macleod[AT]hient.co.uk

You can also follow the event on Twitter - [AT]HILifeSciences #P4Digital2012