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The 2026 DHCW R&I / NHS Wales e-Library Conference

Innovation, Access and the Evolution of Knowledge in NHS Wales

 

09:30-15:45 ~ Thursday 25th June 2026

 

Digital Health and Care Wales - Alpha Suite, Cardiff and Online

 

Right now, we face a crossroads. Our ability to share and deliver knowledge resources is at best changing – at worst, threatened. As knowledge experts, we need to make sure we understand and respond to these challenges confidently and proactively.   

This year’s conference’s theme is Innovation, Access and the Evolution of Knowledge in NHS Wales - bringing together voices from research and innovation teams, librarians, knowledge experts and leaders to discuss how our shared digital knowledge environment has developed and how it must adapt.

To register your interest for the Hybrid Conference Day, please complete the registration form before 18th June 2026. 

Register

 

09:30 Arrive: Tea, coffee, pastries, networking
 
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome:

Rachael Powell - Associate Director of Information, Intelligence

and Research and Chair of e-Library Service Board, DHCW

 

10:10 - 10:30 R&I : The Road Ahead

Rachel Sully - Head of Research and Innovation and NHS Wales e-Library and Knowledge Services Manager, DHCW

 

10:30 - 11:30 Making Data Work for You:

 

Gareth John - Chief Data Scientist, DHCW

Highlighting the data held within DHCW and exploring how national datasets can support

research, innovation and service improvement across Wales

 

Louisa Dean - Research and Innovation Support Manager, DHCW

Spotlighting the ways to access data and providing R&I support

 

Alexander Shaw - Data Analyst Specialist, DHCW

Explaining how data was used in the Bevan Commission Study “Unequal Aging;

Health Inequalities in Older Patients”

 

+Q&A

 

11:30 - 11:45 Break: Tea, coffee, fruit, biscuits
 
11:45 - 12:05 The NHS Wales e-Library - The First Two Decades

Bernadette Coles - Librarian, Velindre NHS Trust (Retired)

Katrina Hall - NHS Wales Libraries Partnership Librarian, Cardiff University

 

12:05- 12:25 The NHS Wales e-Library: The Road Ahead

Rachel Sully - Head of Research and Innovation and NHS Wales e-Library and Knowledge Services Manager, DHCW

 

12:25 - 12:45 Introducing the e-Library Linking Tool

John Dunkley-Williams - Librarian Specialist, NHS Wales e-Library

 

12:45 - 1:30 Lunch
 
1:30 - 2:20 Afternoon Panel #1 - Getting on the Right Side of AI
Panelists include:
  • John Dunkley-Williams - Librarian Specialist, NHS Wales e-LIbrary
  • Rhys Whelan - Library & Knowledge Services Manager, Swansea Bay University Health Board
  • John Sweeney - Information Governance Manager, Digital Health and Care Wales
  • Helen Morgan - Information Specialist, Public Health Wales

+ Q&A

 

2:20 - 2:35 Break: Tea, coffee, fruit, biscuits
 
2:35 - 2:50 Why Professional Registration Matters:

Jamie Finch - Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales

 

2:50 - 3:40 Afternoon Panel #2 - What’s on the Open Access Horizon
Panelists include:
  • Rachel Sully - Head of Research and Innovation and NHS Wales e-Library and Knowledge Services Manager, DHCW
  • Alison Harding - Executive Head of Library and Learning Resources, University of Wales Trinity St Davids
  • Katrina Hall - NHS Wales Libraries Partnership Librarian, Cardiff University
  • Tom Powell - Regional Innovation Lead, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
  • Angharad Roberts - Senior Analyst, Research Consulting

+ Q&A

 

3:40- 3:45 Wrap up with Rachael Powell