The first of a series of special networking events between NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network (WEMN) and regional partners has taken place in Bournemouth
NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network (WEMN) exists to support and develop experimental medicine across Wessex. Part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the team is working to increase collaboration with regional partners, including face-to-face networking events.
The first such event took place at the Health Sciences University (HSU) in Bournemouth, bringing together experts with shared interests in prehabilitation, nutrition and diet, musculoskeletal health and women’s health.
The day saw presentations from Christine McGrath (Managing Director, Wessex Health Partners), Prof Mike Grocott (Director, NIHR Southampton BRC), Prof Lesley Haig (Vice-Chancellor, HSU) and Dr Julie Northam (Head of Research, HSU).
There were lightning talks from participants, tours of the Bournemouth campus and break-out discussion groups.
The team from NIHR Southampton BRC were particularly impressed by the facilities at HSU. These include CQC-registered clinics, an open upright MRI scanner and state-of-the-art Integrated Rehabilitation Centre.
Dr Julie Northam, Head of Research at HSU, feels the day was a great success. “We’d like to thank Wessex Health Partners for brokering this relationship with the NIHR Southampton BRC. We’re a small and specialist university, committed to advancing research through strategic investment.
“Collaboration is integral to our mission and serves as a cornerstone of our strategy to expand research capacity. WHP spotted a potential affinity between the two organisations, and without the involvement of the NIHR WEMN, a key component of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, delivered in partnership with WHP, this event wouldn’t have happened.”
Feedback on the day was overwhelmingly positive and a number of collaborations have already started to develop with the aim of working up collaborate grants for future funding bids.
Christine McGrath, Managing Director of Wessex Health Partners, said: “We were delighted to help get the ball rolling here, introducing key players in HSU with those in the BRC with similar and shared interests. There is huge enthusiasm to work together across a range of areas including MSK.”
To find out more about the work of HSU, visit their website.
Future collaborative events will be detailed in our newsletter - you can sign up at the bottom of our home page.
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