A Delegation led by Director Li Weimin of West China Hospital, Sichuan University Visited the UK

On July 9-14 this year, a delegation led by director Li Weimin of West China Hospital, Sichuan University visited University of Liverpool, Cambridge University Hospitals, and Imperial College London in the UK. The delegation consisted of representatives from multiple departments and divisions of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, including Integrated TCM & Western Medicine Department, Cardiac Surgery Department, Anesthesiology Department, Health Care Division, Biological Specimen Bank, Information Center, and International Exchange and Cooperation Office.

Prof. Li Weimin of West China Hospital signed a cooperation with Takis Kotis, CEO of UKeMED Platform of Cambridge University

While at University of Liverpool, the delegation visited its core medical research departments including Clinical Research Center, Research Accelerator, North West Cancer Research Centre, Biobank, Institute of Integrative Biology, and Institute of Translational Medicine, and held discussions with the host about potential cooperation in the field of biomedical research in the future.

On July 10, a bilateral cooperation forum was organized, and leaders and experts from University of Liverpool and Royal Liverpool University participated. In this forum, director Li Weimin reviewed the cooperation history between University of Liverpool and West China Hospital, stating that University of Liverpool had cultivated nearly ten talents for West China Hospital and that reinforced cooperation would greatly benefit both parties due to their traditional focus on scientific research. Executive vice director Wan Xuehong gave an overview of West China Hospital, and recommended further cooperation plans with regard to doctor and post-doctor cultivation, expert exchange, and joint establishment of West China Liverpool Biomedicine Research Center and Liverpool West China Center. After the forum, director Li Weimin signed a Liverpool - West China cooperation memorandum with Bob Burgoyne, executive pro-vice-chancellor of University of Liverpool and dean of Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

While at Cambridge University, the delegation met the managers of remote medical platform UKeMED, and communicated with representatives from institutes such as Cambridge University Hospitals and University of Bedfordshire. The delegation also made a video presentation about world leading medical technologies of West China Hospital. After the meeting, director Li Weimin and Takis Kotis, CEO of UKeMED Platform, signed a cooperation memorandum concerning remote medicine and education as well as a letter of intent for cooperation under The Belt and Road initiative.

On the afternoon of July 12, the delegation met Roland Sinker, CEO of Cambridge University Hospitals. Later, the delegation paid a visit to Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Of Cambridge University, during which discussions were held with experts of the centre about challenges confronted by West China Hospital in biomedical research.

During their stay in London, the delegation visited Health care UK (HCUK). Ms. Deborah Kobewka, managing director of HCUK, introduced NHS medical system of UK and its operation conditions to the team members. She described HCUK as a government interface between UK and foreign medical partners, welcoming cooperation between West China Hospital and famous UK organizations like Cambridge UKeMED. The delegation also visited four private high-end UK medical centers at Harley Street. The team led by Director Li Weimin and executive vice director Wan Xuehong met representatives from some departments of Hammersmith Hospital affiliated with Imperial College London, including Anesthesiology Department, Cardiac Surgery Department, and Health Care Division, and expressed their thanks for multiple training sessions provided by the hospital for the medical team of West China Hospital.

On July 14, the delegation met Ms. Betty Yue, supervisor of Continuing Education & Training Center of Imperial College London, and Professor Desmond Johnston, vice president of Medicine School. Both parties achieved deeper understanding of each other, which laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

This visit to University of Liverpool, Cambridge University Hospitals, and Imperial College London improved mutual understanding between West China Hospital and advanced academic research institutes in UK, and was concluded with preliminary cooperation plans regarding medical education and research. Such cooperation will enable West China Hospital to better build an international brand and integrate international resources, thus greatly promoting internationalization process of West China Hospital.