Latest scientific research in primary health care showcased

Health experts from across the South West will gather in Bristol this week for the South West Society for Academic Primary Care (SW SAPC) meeting. The conference, which runs on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 March, is hosted this year by the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol.

SW SAPC is the leading regional academic primary care meeting, bringing together researchers and health practitioners to discuss the latest research and teaching which promotes excellence in the development, delivery and evaluation of primary health care.

The conference will showcase the latest scientific research in primary care, including how the internet is transforming health experiences; why do parents send their children to nursery when they are unwell; GPs' responses to domestic violence when children are exposed and assessing the effect of seeing the same doctor on GP consultations.

Dr Sarah Purdy, Reader in Primary Health Care in the School of Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol and Conference Chair, said: “We are looking forward to hosting this major conference in the beautiful city of Bristol. The conference will showcase the excellent research that goes on in primary care throughout the region and will discuss some of the latest findings about diagnosis, effective treatments and ways of delivering health care.”

Keynote speakers include Helen Bevan, Chief of Service Transformation at the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.  In 2008, the 60th anniversary of the NHS, Helen was recognised as one of the 60 most influential people in the history of the NHS and in 2010 was named as one of the top ten NHS opinion formers. 

Local historian, Mary Wright, will also speak about the life and work of Elizabeth Blackwell, one of Bristol’s unsung medical pioneers.  Last year a new multi-million health research institute, called the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, was opened at the University to accelerate the translation of medical research into new treatments and therapies to benefit patients.