Compassion and care on the agenda for major University conference

Making sure compassion-led and patient-centred care is the top priority for professionals will be discussed and shared at University of Northampton (UON) in March.

UON’s second Care and Compassion will see policy and thought leaders from home and away come to Waterside Campus to share insights and research on Tuesday 24 March, from 9:30am-4pm.

Keynote speeches will come from Dementia UK CEO Dr Hilda Hayo, Emeritus Professor and child advocacy expert Eunice Lumsden.

There will also be research-based talks from UON postgraduate students Claire Davies (the impact of dementia on carers) and Brigitte Gouda (children’s oral health through school visits from dental nurses) and Deborah Babalola (health literacy).

The closing keynote speech will be from Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, a leading expert on putting compassion and empathy at the heart of healthcare. His talk will cover why creating compassionate cultures is so important.

You can hear some of his thoughts about this in the podcast he recorded with UON’s Centre for Health Sciences and Services’ academics Associate Professor Dr Tracey Redwood and Senior Lecturer in Advanced Nursing, Win Hughes.

The day will include research poster presentations and a special themed Schwartz Round, story sharing and insights sessions for mostly health and care students and staff used at University of Northampton.

Dr Tracey Redwood, who is co-organising the event, says: “As many of will know, health and care and professionals – and those in other sectors such as early years – can be rushed off their feet. Providing good clinical care is always a priority for the majority and this usually goes hand in hand with being compassionate and empathetic.

“Sometimes, during busy days with multiple urgent demands, this can slip down the to do list, but with our conference we want to showcase why compassion in care is so important, with those in the know showing us the way forward.

“We are delighted to welcome back Professor Aynsley-Green, who will give passionate, deeply informed, illuminating and entertaining final thoughts to sum up the state of play with compassion in health and care in the UK and how all of us can play our part in making sure it never slips off the patient chart.”

To book a seat at this event, email the organisers putting ‘Care and Compassion Conference’ in the subject line: fhes.events@northampton.ac.uk

Please note if you have any accessibility requirements and, as lunch will be provided, add any allergies/dietary needs.