University alliance for nursing conference

Apr 8 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

MORE than 500 nurses from around the world have started converging on Merseyside ahead of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) annual conference, which starts today.

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is hosting the conference at the Adelphi Hotel after outbidding other cities to host the four-day event.

Winning the event is being seen as a huge coup for the city and will secure the region’s position at the forefront of nursing and healthcare research.

Working with Edge Hill University and Liverpool University, LJMU will oversee the running of the event and organise social events out of conference hours.

The nurses will be treated to visits to the Walker Art Gallery and Merseyside Maritime Museum and other cultural gems.

Dr Debbie Mazhindu, head of research development at LJMU, said: “There’s no doubt that Liverpool’s position as 2008 European Capital of Culture helped us fight off stiff competition to host this prestigious event.

“This event will not only help to put Liverpool on the map as a major conference venue but is a real coup with the city’s three universities working together.

“We can show the world we are at the cutting edge of nursing and healthcare.

“LJMU’s is known as the top university for producing research that changes and impacts patient care.”

Nurses from over 70 countries will be able to hear 290 research speeches on subjects including mental health, disability and food nutrition.

The transformation of the hotel into a conference centre will also see 90 exhibition stands from healthcare publishers to the UK Mental Health Research Network (MHRN).

Dr Mazhindu, said: “We had to prove to the RCN that Liverpool and Merseyside had all the facilities needed to host the conference.

“There was tough competition but along with the Merseyside Partnership we proved the city had a conference venue and would bring an income into the local economy.

“The conference has been going a number of years, travelling to cities including York and Dundee.

“It’s been to Manchester twice so it’s nice to have secured it in the Capital of Culture year.”

Students from the three universities will act as hosts to welcome delegates to the city, and will be in charge of welcoming the visitors to Merseyside.

Dr Mazhindu added: “Liverpool is known as a friendly city with friendly people and the feedback so far has been great from our delegates.”

The conference will be officially opened today by LJMU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Brown followed by a performance from the University’s drama department.

laurasharpe