Institute event explores opportunities and challenges for higher education provision

13 March 2024

The Institute of Management and Health has held an event to explore opportunities and challenges for higher education was held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus.

Images of Institute of Management and Health development day

The University’s academic teams were joined by Professors of Practice and partners to explore and provide insights into current and future skills needs within their respective areas of expertise which includes health and lifestyle, management and business, and tourism and hospitality. The aim was to identify key priorities for development within these disciplines over the coming years.

During the event, held on Monday, 4 March, Professor Wendy Dearing, Dean of the Institute of Management and Health, presented certificates to newly appointed Professors of Practice: Dr Subhamay Ghosh, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Rhidian Hurle and Ifan Evans of Digital Health and Care Wales. Professor Dearing said;

“I’m delighted to confirm that Dr Subhamay Ghosh, Rhidian Hurle and Ifan Evans have been appointed Professors of Practice by the University and that their expertise and experience will benefit our staff, students, and partners. They are individuals who have achieved distinction in their professional areas which are closely aligned with the University’s strategic intention. They join a team of Professors of Practice who are working across the University to support the development of our programmes and research portfolio to ensure that they continue to respond to the current and future needs of employers and society.”

Dr Subhamay Ghosh is the Clinical Lead for Anaesthetics at Hywel Dda University Health Board and is its representative for the Society of Anaesthetists of Wales. He undertook a feasibility study looking at critical care digital applications for Hywel Dda in conjunction with Wales Institute of Digital Information (WIDI), a partnership between UWTSD and Digital Health and Care Wales. He was also the lead for a joint University and Health Board project entitled ‘Pre-habilitation in major Colorectal Surgery’ launched last year. He joined Hywel Dda’s Research and Development Committee, leading anaesthetics and critical care in new research projects, including Metagenomics and Sepsis, and has led Clinical Governance to support the development and implementation of an all Wales strategy and systems to measure and evidence continuous quality improvement and assurance.

Mr Mark Henwood, Interim Medical Director at Hywel Dda University Health Board said:

“I’m delighted that one of our colleagues, Dr Subhamay Ghosh, has been appointed a Professor of Practice by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Working in partnership with organisations such as the University and Digital Health and Care Wales is of great importance to the health board. It provides us with a chance to share expertise and knowledge enabling us to work together to provide learning and opportunities into the future.”

Rhidian Hurle is the Medical Director at Digital Health and Care Wales and is responsible for the areas of Information Governance and Patient Safety, Clinical Informatics Professionals and Business Change Team, and the Research Intelligence and Innovation team. He acts as a source of expert advice, providing professional leadership and support for NHS Wales Information Governance activity, ensuring that they use information governance as an enabler of safe secure sharing of health and care information and data. He is also the Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) for Wales and advises the office of the CMO on matters related to digital health. Mr Hurle continues NHS clinical practice as a Consultant Urological Surgeon and is already supporting the University’s MSc in Digital Skills for Health and Care Professions programme.

Ifan Evans is the Director of Strategy at Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) and is the former Welsh Government Director of Technology, Digital & Transformation. Mr Evans is credited as the author of A Healthier Wales, the Welsh Government’s long-term plan for health and social care, and was responsible for its delivery. A Healthier Wales is recognised as an outstanding health and care strategy, which is supported at all levels, from cabinet to front line service delivery. Since 2019 he has led the Digital Health and Care Policy in Wales, setting a new strategic direction, strengthening delivery arrangements, and significantly increasing investment into digital transformation. Mr Evans also led the Welsh health and social care response to Brexit, shaping a distinctive strategy for Wales, with notably strong social care engagement and supply chain resilience.

Professor Wendy Dearing concluded:

“Our partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board and Digital Health & Care Wales (DHCW) is an opportunity to build and expand our approach to our current and future digital health and care offerings in an ever complex and changing world for these crucial sectors. The appointment of our Professors of Practice strengthens our partnership and ensures that together we are building capacity in order to make a positive impact on the delivery of these services”.