The activity in the health tech industry sector in the South West is growing fast, with tons of new and innovative hardware, apps and software released every week. Yet, as in the majority of tech-related industries, it’s not as representative as it needs to be to thrive and provide the best future for healthcare tech.
Stepping in to change all of this is not-for-profit community interest company HealthTech Women, who have created a rapidly growing network for women in healthcare tech with international reach.
“We have had a real demand to head West and Bristol was the obvious choice”
Originally born in San Fransisco in 2013 and following huge success with hubs in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool, it’s now launching in Bristol this September.
From North to West: Expert panelists at HealthTech Women’s
Manchester launch earlier this year
With an evening of inspiring speakers sharing their stories, HealthTech Women’s first Bristol event is hoping to bring together, inspire and empower women who are working in or are interested in healthcare tech in the South West, to take their ideas to the next level.
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To get to know how it all started and what to expect from its expansion into the South West, we spoke to HealthTech Women UK’s Head of UK Network, Louise Sinclair.
Louise (pictured left), tells us: “There is clear evidence that diverse workforces are more innovative and profitable. Gender diversity is increasing, but despite the growing number of women entering the medical profession, there are still few women in senior roles in the healthcare sector. This is particularly acute in the transformational area of health technology, and should be a growth area for women, who can bring significant knowledge and skills.”
“Our speakers talk openly about their own lives, their career paths and what health tech issues really makes them tick”
“There are some real health tech innovations coming out of the South West such as the Bristol CCG Connecting Care Programme which has received national status in terms of interoperability and collaborative working. From feedback at events in London we have had a real demand to head West, and Bristol was the obvious choice. There is a flourishing tech community as well as real energy across the region to get this off the ground.”
Inspiring health tech panel
As well as offering the chance to network with other like-minded people, attendees will hear from an expert panel on their personal journeys into health tech and the transformational work they are delivering across health and social care.
South West Soiree: Expect inspiring stories from an
all-women panel involved in healthcare tech in the UK
The panel includes:
• Beverley Bryant – Director of Digital Transformation, NHS Digital
• Deborah Evans – Managing Director, West of England AHSN
• Angela Clark – Deputy Service Director: Children & Family, Bristol City Council
• Natalie Liao – Assurance & Delivery Manager, NHS England
Louise adds: “We’re delighted Beverley Bryant, Director of Digital Transformation at NHS Digital, is making the trip down from Leeds to spend the day in Bristol and launch the HealthTech Women South West Hub. The feedback we always get at our events is how wonderful it is to hear from real people. Our speakers talk openly about their own lives, their career paths and what health tech issues really makes them tick.”
Healthy horizons
As well as expanding to the South West, HealthTech Women UK is getting involved in health tech trials, as well as setting up its own exciting mentoring scheme later in the year to help open up opportunities for collaboration between innovative SMEs and health and care providers.
“It’s fantastic to help make connections and enable members to be exposed to health tech investment opportunities”
On talking about more of HealthTech Women’s successes, Louise tells us: “The fact that we are asked to provide content and speakers for all the national health tech events now is pretty cool.
Growing expertise: a HealthTech Women panel at the UK’s E-Health Week
“It’s fantastic to help make connections, see jobs being secured through the networking opportunities our community provides and enable members to be exposed to health tech investment opportunities.”
The HealthTech Women team are always keen for new members to get involved too. Louise adds: “HealthTech Women UK is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist us in a variety of roles, such as social media, blogging and event discovery.
“If you would like to get involved in any way, big or small, please email our events manager, Livy Potter.”
The HealthTech Women UK’s South West Soiree is on 13 September from 5.30 – 8pm. To attend the South West Soiree for free, you’ll need to register by paying a £5 refundable deposit to secure your place.
Stay up to date with the team’s future events by joining the HealthTech Women UK meetup group or follow them on Twitter: @oht_uk.
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