Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) Digital Festival
Jun 6, 2025
Location
Media City Campus
Description
The University of Salford welcomed researchers, students, practitioners and leaders as the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) Digital Festival took place at our MediaCity campus earlier this month.
The second edition of the festival focused on disseminating and discussing research, innovation, education, and practical applications in digital nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions.
Over 100 delegates joined the event this year to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their contributions in the digital space. As well as networking, there was an opportunity to discuss strategies to overcome barriers and inequalities in accessing digital healthcare, explore the importance of patient and public involvement and engagement in digital healthcare initiatives and consider upcoming trends (including artificial intelligence and metahumans) shaping the future of healthcare. The Digital Marketplace provided an additional space to showcase our research and innovation projects.
The keynote address was delivered by Helen Balsdon, Chief Nursing information Officer at NHS England. Helen’s work seeks to ensure that nursing and midwifery practice is supported by digital technology and data science and that nurses and midwifes are equipped to work and lead in an digitally enabled environment. Helen is passionate about using technology to support the delivery of high quality, evidence-based care and empowering patients in managing their own health record. Alongside nursing and midwifery, Helen's leadership portfolio includes frontline digitisation, digital citizen and maternity and child health.
The Festival was possible with support from our partners, including:
Prof Natasha Phillips, University of Salford & Founder of Future Nurse
Sarah Webb, Chief Nursing information Office Northern Care Alliance (NCA)
Amy Vercell, Chief Clinical Information Officer for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, The Christie Hospital Manchester
Peter White, Chief Nursing Information Officer, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Elaine Chesworth, Director of Allied Health Professionals, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Stephanie Bateman and Jaqui Cooper, Health Innovation Manchester
Sharon O’Connor, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Richard Cox, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Cristina Vasilica, Reader in Digital Health and Head of Digital Education at the University of Salford, who co-led the event, said: “I was delighted to work with Professor Yeliz Prior (Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation and the Research Environment Lead at the School of Health and Society, University of Salford) to bring back the Digital Festival and celebrate the innovation led by NMAHP colleagues, partners and guests.
“This concludes a series of events in 2025 Yeliz and I led to strengthen local partnerships, better understand community needs, and showcase how digital can improve care. I’m passionate about creating opportunities in the spaces people use and connecting academic and NHS partners to build bridges for learning, collaboration and lasting impact.”