A number of high profile individuals attended the inauguration event, highlighting the important work this Network is conducting to drive forward the women's health agenda.
Professor Shakila Thangaratinam, founder of the DHL Network, welcomed everyone to the event and provided some background on the aims and outputs of the Network in improving women’s health in the region. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Maureen Cornish, was present to cut the ribbon. Councillor Mariam Khan gave a speech and highlighted the importance of working collaboratively to improve women's health in Birmingham. Professor David Adams, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Birmingham, also shared a few words.
There were many distinguished presentations at the event. Professor Mark Kilby, who currently holds the Dame Hilda Lloyd Chair of Fetal Medicine, provided insight and inspiration in to Dame Hilda herself. To show the breadth of the Network, Professor Sara Poonasamy, University of Warwick, shared his research updates, and discussed the regional and global potential of the Network. Finally, the DHL tier leads updated the Network on what they have been doing and future steps.
The event was closed by Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) sharing their insights. There was a panel session highlighting the barriers and opportunities to patient involvement, and some tips for researchers and clinicians to integrate effective PPI in to their work.
Overall, it was a day for connections and partnerships, with much anticipation as to what will unfold in the next 12 months.
