UWTSD and HDUHB Welcome delegation to Strengthen Wales-Malta Collaboration in Health Innovation

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) was delighted to welcome the High Commissioner of Malta, His Excellency Professor Stephen Montefort, and Mr Reuben Mifsud, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Malta in Wales, to its SA1 Swansea Waterfront campus (Tuesday, 14 October). 

His Excellency Professor Montefort is a Professor of Medicine and a specialist respiratory physician, who has served as Head of Department of Medicine and as Deputy Dean at the University of Malta. 

The visit provided an opportunity for the University and Hywel Dda University Health Board to explore potential for collaboration with organisations in Malta, including for the Centre for Social Innovation, a joint initiative between UWTSD and the Health Board.

The Centre aims to help people take ownership of their health and wellbeing, build resilience, and harness technology in healthcare.  The Centre also provides opportunities for innovators to test and adapt their ideas within larger organisations.

The University and Health Board presented some of their current collaborative work to the High Commissioner and Honorary Consul, and highlighted examples of digital solutions developed to aid independent living and healthy ageing strategies, as well as the remote diagnosis of respiratory disease.

UWTSD Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elwen Evans, KC, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the High Commissioner and Honorary Consul to the University.

“The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of our joint applied research and health innovation with Hywel Dda University Health Board, and to showcase the work of our Centre for Social Innovation. Our collaboration is already delivering better health and wellbeing outcomes for people and communities in west Wales”.

Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, and also a respiratory physician, said:

“It was an honour to meet His Excellency Professor Stephen Montefort and to share with him the great work that is being done with our partners at UWTSD. The work of the Centre for Social Innovation absolutely supports our efforts to encourage our communities to live healthier and happier lives.”

Professor Wendy Dearing, Head of the Centre for Social Innovation added: “The Centre for Social Innovation was created to drive lasting cultural and behavioural change in the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of people in West Wales.  Its mission is to turn vision into wellbeing by harnessing innovation, courage and collaboration to change lives for the better.  We were thrilled to showcase some of our work, to build on the opportunities this presents, and to learn and share with our colleagues from around the world”.   

Further Information

Eleri Beynon

Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790