Welcome

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are most delighted to welcome you to the inaugural virtual Singapore Allied Health Conference on 8th and 9th March 2021. The conference with the theme "Allied Health Professionals: Our Role in the Future of Healthcare" aims to showcase the work of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), provides a platform for discussions, exchange of ideas and networking, and strives to drive the advancement of AHPs.

Allied Health professions comprise a diverse group of healthcare professionals who may be involved in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and/or prevention of diseases or illnesses, to enhance or maintain physical, sensory, psychological, cognitive and/or social functions. They are distinct from medical, nursing, and dental professionals, and play an essential role across the continuum of care, from primary care to ambulatory and acute care, to long term and palliative care. AHPs serve as a critical enabler to support the shift of care from the hospital to the community, and has a significant role to play in preventative care. They are experts in their respective fields, and are key partners within the multidisciplinary team to optimise patient outcomes and provide holistic care.

The Singapore Allied Health Conference offers a two-day programme featuring a strong line-up of distinguished international and local speakers. We are honoured to have Dr Martin Chadwick, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, New Zealand, to share his insights on allied health leadership and provide a global perspective on the new models of care. Another speaker of note is Adjunct Associate Prof. Donna Markham, Chief Allied Health Officer, Victoria, Australia. Along with other distinguished speakers including Singapore's own Chief Allied Health Officer and Chief Pharmacist, the lectures and discussions will broaden and deepen your understanding of the role of Allied Health in the ever changing healthcare landscape of the future.

The conference programme has three focus: People, Path and Patients.

People – AHPs are the very people who deliver care and support the patients; discussion topics around people and the value they bring are addressed in the conference to highlight them as a precious asset within the healthcare system.

Path – This second focal point revolves around the enhancement of processes and service delivery towards the future. You can expect to learn more about new models of care and innovative solutions that facilitate the healthcare transformation journey for AHPs.

Patients – Topics about patients are closest to the hearts of AHPs and will be explored; we will discuss patient centric care and how patients can be supported beyond the hospital walls.

With great excitement, we look forward to welcoming you to the inaugural Singapore Allied Health Conference 2021. Please mark the dates on your calendar and join us at this hallmark event.