Experts from across Europe met in Belfast last week to discuss collaboration and development in an innovative area of healthcare known as personalised medicine.
Personalised medicine aims to shift treatment from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to one which uses targets treatments and therapies to the individual needs of each patient, securing better outcomes and more effective prevention.
The two-day event was organised by the HSC Research and Development Division, one of four partners in the Horizon 2020-funded Consortium for Securing the Adoption of Personalised Health in Regions (SAPHIRe), which aims to structure the application and implementation of personalised medicine at a regional level across Europe.
The event played host to nine different countries and regions from across Europe, and provided a platform to examine at how countries and regions can learn from each other and break down some of the barriers to the adoption of personalised medicine. There were expert speakers covering topics such as precision oncology, person centred care and prescription-based health apps. All of the presentations given on the day are available here.
Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of HSC R&D Division said: “With Northern Ireland having a record of focusing on the development of personalised medicine, we have been able to help spearhead the SAPHIRe programme, which will identify strengths, needs and barriers to the development and adoption of this type of healthcare, and enable this information to be brought to the attention of governments.
“Some of the leading figures in personalised health from across Europe attended the workshop in Belfast to look at how countries and regions across the continent can share experience and ideas and develop stronger relationships to drive forward innovation in this field. We had policy experts, as well as key figures from academic and healthcare settings, who came together to exchange experiences, with the event providing a forum for discussion of best practice and lessons learned.”
Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, said: “Here in Northern Ireland, personalised medicine is an area of substantial and rapidly increasing focus. A growing population with a higher number of older people, poorer health and a growth in chronic conditions are driving the need for the reform of health and social care in Northern Ireland and indeed worldwide, and this conference will enable expertise from across Europe to be shared in how we can deliver more targeted, effective and individual treatment and preventative intervention”.
For more information about the event or about SAPHIRe please contact the SAPHIRe Programme Manager Sorcha Finnegan
The SAPHIRe Consortium team pictured with the Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride
Professor Tony Bjourson delivers the key note address at the SAPHIRe best practice workshop.