Vaughan Gething, Minister for Economy, visits Cardiff and Vale's Shaping Change Innovation Team

Last week, Shaping Change’s Innovation Team at Cardiff and Vale UHB and Cardiff and Vale Regional Innovation Coordination Hub (RIC Hub) presented to Vaughan Gething, Welsh Government Minister for Economy at a regional innovation event at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

The partnership meeting was a showcase of the significant role of regional innovation in driving improvements to health and well-being as well as economic growth.

Cardiff and Vale UHB’s Innovation Team presented some of their key work happening across the Health Board such as The Endoscopy Challenge which seeks innovative ideas to accelerate the delivery of endoscopy procedures, improve access and reduce waiting times for patients, and the recent Innovation in Dementia Showcase event at UHL which displayed some of the latest cutting-edge technologies for enhanced support.

The RIC Hub took the opportunity to showcase the impact it is having across the health and social care sector particularly in social prescribing, sustainable health care and lived experience.

The Minister was also introduced to a range of other healthcare innovations in action in the Cardiff and Vale and Cwm Taf Morgannwg region; from sustainability and prototyping to manufacturing, and SMART Housing.

The event connected attendees with influential figures in the technology industry; providing a platform for potential collaborations and partnerships.

Addressing attendees, the Minister said “Today has been an excellent opportunity to see the work being done by the hub and the partnerships which have formed since it was established. Innovation is essential not just for its value to our economy, but for its potential to change Wales for the better focussing on societal outcomes.

“The Welsh Government is committed to strengthening innovation and the use of new technologies, which can support a greener Wales, with better health, better jobs and prosperity for all.”

Zoe Hilton, Innovation Programme Manager, Cardiff and Value UHB said:

“The event was a great opportunity to share the wonderful innovation work that is happening across South Wales with the minister. A chance to collaborate further with our partners, share and learn and inspire.”

Catherine Peel, Senior Service Improvement Programme Manager RIC Hub said:

“It was great to have the opportunity to demonstrate the close working relationship between Cardiff and Vale and Cwm Taf Hubs. Partnership working is key on the agenda and there are some exciting plans on the horizon”.