Network Annual Conference celebrates our 10 year anniversary

We celebrated our 10th anniversary in style at our Annual Conference on the 10th June at the AJ Bell Stadium, Eccles. Over 130 professionals attended the event which featured a packed programme of talks and workshops plus a poster competition and a wide array of exhibitor stands.

Our Clinical Director Dr Shivakumar Krishnamoorthy kicked the event off with reflections of the last 10 years. One of the highlights of the day was when Anna and Martyn (pictured left) shared their experience of living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Their positivity was inspirational and their experiences of health and social care reminded us why we are working hard to improve our services. Their insights into Anna’s care were also helpful, with the Salford MND team and the Trust’s community services mentioned as a huge support.

Our keynote speaker Dr Manisha Kumar shared Greater Manchester’s plans for long term conditions. We also heard from Dr Dwai Sen about a genetic testing in stroke pilot as well as some results from researchers leading the DRIVE study in visual impairment.

The breaks provided the opportunity to view posters and find out more about our local charities, as well as commercial products that support care. After lunch, we were again treated to songs by the NW Community Stroke Choir who also reminded us of the importance of the work we do as a network.

Delegates then broke out into workshops led by local experts on spasticity management, CVD prevention and facial rehabilitation. We came back together for final presentations of the day sharing our collaboration with GM Active on exercise, as well as information on the region’s new neurogenic bladder and bowel service funded by Coloplast.

It was then time to present the Chadwick Award for outstanding contribution to neurorehabilitation services to Susan Bannister, lead for Bolton’s Long Term Condition team. Professor Craig Smith then presented Gill Pearl, CEO of Speakeasy, with the Tyrrell Award for stroke care (pictured left). Gill is the first non NHS professional to win one of our award and a thoroughly worthy winner for her work over the years on aphasia. You can attend a University of Manchester symposium celebrating Pippa Tyrrell’s life on 19th June.

Our Manager then presented the prizes for the poster competition in the pre-hospital/acute and community/long term support categories.

You can download the presentations and posters here: Morning talks. Afternoon talks. Workshops. Posters.