A pioneering healthtech conference taking place in the UK next month is set to transform surgical pathways
Healthcare professionals, innovators, and industry leaders will converge in Leeds for SurgTech 2024, a groundbreaking event focusing on the latest innovations.
Taking place on 21-22 March 2024, it promises to be a dynamic platform for exploring the latest advancements in surgical technology.
Key highlights encompass crucial discussions addressing unmet clinical needs and opportunities for fostering significant collaborations to propel healthcare innovation forward.
Professor Phil Wood, the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will open the conference.
Dr Séamus O’Neill, chief executive of the Northern Health Science Alliance Ltd, will deliver the keynote address, setting the stage for discussions on the future of health technology and their role in addressing health inequalities.
Attendees can expect engaging sessions on various themes, including understanding unmet needs for:
• Early diagnosis and personalised care
• Minimally invasive therapies and extended realities
• Assisted healing and rehabilitation.
Notable speakers, such as Professor David Jayne and Ms Vee Mapunde, will introduce the NIHR Healthtech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care and highlight its aims and objectives.
A panel discussion chaired by Mike Branagan-Harris, CEO of Device Access UK, will explore unmet clinical needs and opportunities for technological disruption and enhancement. The panel will feature esteemed members from academia, industry and regulatory bodies, encouraging audience participation and interaction.
The second day will focus on regulations, standards, and intellectual property in the health-tech sector. Experts like Dr Graeme Howling from Medipex Ltd and Richard Hall from QMS Consultancy Ltd will provide insights into navigating these crucial aspects of innovation.
A ‘fireside chat’ chaired/led by Professor Tom Clutton-Brock will explore empowering innovation and navigating the path to market success with NIHR-supported clinical usability and validation studies. Panellists will discuss sustainability, regulatory science and product development, offering valuable perspectives on the journey from concept to market.
Throughout the conference, attendees can participate in breakout sessions covering early career research, patient and public involvement, industry engagement and evidence generation.
Substantial networking opportunities will abound, with industry showcases, exhibition stands and interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. There is an opportunity for delegates to secure tickets to an evening networking event on 21 March.
With its diverse line-up of speakers, engaging panel discussions and interactive sessions, the conference promises to be a pivotal event for the healthtech community.
As stakeholders unite to explore innovative solutions and address pressing healthcare challenges, the stage is set for meaningful advancements in surgical technology and beyond.
SurgTech 2024: Innovation Across the Surgical Pathway takes place at the Leeds Marriott Hotel, Leeds LS1 6ET.
To book your place, click here.
Programme details
Day 1 – Thursday 21 March 2024
08:30 Registration opens
09:00 Welcome by Prof Phil Wood, LTHT Chief Executive
09:10 Event Keynote: Dr Séamus O’Neill, Chief Executive, Northern Health Science Alliance Ltd
09:30 Introduction to NIHR Healthtech Research Centre in Leeds:
Professor David Jayne and Ms Vee Mapunde, HRC Directors
- Surgical medtech co-operative review
- Overview of aims and objectives of Leeds Healthtech Research Centre
09:45 Introduction to the Leeds Surgical HealthTech Ecosystem:
- Centre for Healthtech Innovation: Professor Hemant Pandit, Director
- Leeds Biomedical Research Centre: Professor Phil Conaghan, Director
- Leeds Innovation Pop Up: Mr Chris Herbert, Director of Operations, Research and Innovation, LTHT
- RCSEng Leeds Surgical Trials Centre: Professor Deborah Stocken, Director
- NEXUS Leeds: Nathan Berry, Head of Collaboration and HealthTech Lead
10:30 Coffee and networking
11:00 Exploring unmet needs/HRC priorities for surgery:
Overview of each tech theme and examples from MIC Showcase of technologies for each theme:
- Early diagnosis and personalised care: Dr Andy Lewington, Clinical Lead Renal and Transplant Medicine
- Minimally invasive therapies and extended realities: Mr Ryan Mathew, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon/Professor Tze Wah. Clinical Professor of Interventional Radiology
- Assisted healing and rehabilitation: Professor Carl Thompson, Professor of Applied Health Research
11:45 Panel Discussion: Defining unmet clinical needs and opportunities for technology disruption and enhancement chaired by Mike Branagan-Harris, chief executive officer, Device Access UK. Panel members include PPIE members, academic leads, industry representatives, and regulatory experts.
12:30 LUNCH – industry showcase sessions, networking and exhibition stands
13:30 MedTech Foundation Showcase: Jakevir Shoker, Director
MTF Hackathon 2023
MTF Conference 2024: AI in clinical medicine
Collaborations with ASiT and BOTA
14:00 Breakout Sessions cover various topics such as early careers research, industry engagement, marginalised community engagement network, sustainability and net zero for medtech and healthtech, evidence generation (clinical trials), and evidence generation (health economics).
15:00 Coffee and networking
15:30 Healthtech funding ecosystem featuring key funders focusing on opportunities for healthcare technology funding and application pitfalls.
16:15 Fireside chat discussing various aspects including product development, methodology, patient and public involvement, VC funding and clinical perspective.
17:00 Close of Day 1 with a debrief and summary.
18:30 Welcome buffet, including industry showcasing and networking.
Day 2 – Friday 22 March 2024
09:00 Welcome and opening remarks by HRC directors.
09:15 Regulations, standards and intellectual property session featuring speakers addressing key challenges and barriers.
10:15 Fireside chat on empowering innovation: Navigating the Path to Market Success with NIHR-supported clinical usability and validation studies.
11:00 Coffee and networking
11:30 Breakout Sessions covering early careers research, industry engagement, marginalised community engagement network, sustainability and net zero for medtech and healthtech, evidence generation (clinical trials), and evidence generation (health economics).
12:30 LUNCH – industry showcases, networking and exhibition stands
13:30 Community technology showcase featuring six companies pitching or showcasing their technologies.
14:00 Commercialisation and adoption session discussing best practices for successful adoption and commercialisation in the NHS.
15:00 Refreshments
15:15 Panel Discussion on facilitators and barriers to NHS adoption.
16:00 CLOSE with remarks from Professor Phil Wood, chief medical officer and chief executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
