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.”
PPIE Community Engagement – Increasing Inclusion in Digital Health Research
Apr 15, 2025
Location
Broughton Hub and Eccles Library
Description
In April 2025, Professor Yeliz Prior and Dr Cristina Vasilica led two public engagement events in Salford (at Broughton Hub and Eccles Library) to strengthen public and patient involvement in digital health research across the School of Health and Society. The sessions were designed to connect with communities often underrepresented in research, particularly individuals living with musculoskeletal conditions and mental health challenges.
Over 100 local residents attended, including people with long-term health conditions, carers, health professionals, line managers, and small business employers. The events provided a welcoming space for participants to share their lived experiences of managing health in the workplace, accessing support, and navigating digital resources.
Insights from these conversations are now shaping how researchers co-design and deliver digital tools that are accessible, culturally relevant, and grounded in real-world needs. Attendees emphasised the importance of inclusive language, flexible formats, and support for those with limited digital access or health literacy.
This work reflects a strong commitment within the School to embedding PPIE in research and ensuring that digital health innovation reaches and reflects the diverse communities it aims to support
Building an Inclusive Research Culture: ESRC Leadership Network Programme
Mar 10, 2025
Location
Online
Description
Building an Inclusive Research Culture
10th of March, 13:00 – 15:00
This is the final event of the ESRC Leadership Network programme. Hosted by the University of Salford, this special 2-hour online session will explore strategies for creating inclusive research projects and hear from a range of Salford academic research leaders. The agenda for the event is as follows:
1.00 pm – Introduction,
Dr Udeni Wijayasiri, Programme Manager, ESRC Research Leadership Network.
1.05 pm – Equity, diversity and inclusion in University leadership
Dr Pradeep Passi, Pro Vice Chancellor Social Justice and Equity
1.30 pm – Building an inclusive culture across the research lifecycle: Experiences of Salford research leaders
1.30-1.50 - Embracing EDI in Cardiac Surgery Research for Greater Impact
Professor Bhuvana Bibleraaj, Professor in Nursing/Surgical Practice, University of Salford
1.50-2.10 - Practical things to consider when engaging people and communities
Professor Michelle Cornes, Professor of Health and Social Policy Inequalities
2.10-2.30 - Promoting inclusion in research
Professor Vanessa Heaslip, Professor of Nursing and Healthcare Equity
2.30-2.50 - Intersectionality and EDI in Research: Potential Challenges and Opportunities of the Digital
Professor Ben Light, Professor of Digital Society
2.50 pm – closing remarks
Dr Udeni Wijayasiri, Programme Manager, ESRC Research Leadership Network
NHS England North West RePAIR - Prison Healthcare Workforce Transformation Symposium
- Apprenticeships related to prison healthcare – growing your own workforce.
- Advanced Clinical Practitioners within the prison service – opportunities and support.
- Attracting student nurses to the prison healthcare workforce – ensuring a supply pipeline and increasing placement capacity.
- Allied Health Professionals within the prison service – opportunities and support.
- Best practice examples.
- The student voice.
- Population Health Workforce Development.
Target Audience – Prison Healthcare Leaders and Managers, Apprenticeship Leads, HR Managers, HEI Placement Leads, any staff with a responsibility for prison healthcare workforce, training and upskilling, and staff working in prison healthcare services.
