Swansea conference to highlight developments in infection prevention and control
Scientists, experts and opinion leaders from across the UK will be meeting at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium on Thursday, March 24 to discuss the latest developments in the prevention and control of infection.
Organised by Swansea University and the Welsh Assembly Government, the Infection Prevention and Control conference is understood to be the first of its kind in Wales and aims to support healthcare providers in meeting the numerous infection prevention and control challenges facing the NHS, over the coming years.
Approximately 6.4% of patients in Welsh acute hospitals have an infection which may result in increased pain and suffering or possibly death. Furthermore, treating healthcare associated infection in Wales is estimated to cost the NHS roughly £50 million per annum (Wales Audit Office, 2007).
The conference will highlight a number of important contributions to effective infection prevention and control including the role of national campaigns, influencing behaviour change, changing organisational culture and the importance of design and environmental cleanliness.
The event will be opened by Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Wales and Professor Richard B Davies, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University.
Professor Davies said: “For many years the dedicated team in our College of Human and Health Sciences have attracted health care practitioners from all over the UK to study on our specialist Infection Prevention and Control postgraduate programmes at Swansea.
“On this prestigious occasion for Wales, we are extremely proud as a University to give something back to health care practice, bring expertise into the country, and be an integral part of this event which we hope will raise awareness of this important subject that affects us all.”
Keynote speakers include Professor Jean White, Chief Nursing Officer for Wales; Dr Sara Hayes, Senior Medical Officer; Welsh Assembly Government, Dr Eleri Davies, Director of the Welsh Healthcare Associated Infection Project; and Professor Clive Beggs, Professor of Medical Technology at Bradford University.
For further information on the Infection Prevention and Control programmes at Swansea University visit http://www.swan.ac.uk/humanandhealthsciences/Postgraduate/TaughtMasters/.
