Early bird discounts are available for major conference to discuss strategies for improving rural healthcare.

Due to take place in London on 28 February, the Rural Health Conference is being organised by the Rural Services Network in partnership with Gov Delivery.

It has the theme Prevention through Participation: a Whole Population Approach to Improved Health Outcomes.

Discounts of £25 off the £150 price are available for delegates who book their place before 16 January. A full programme is available here.

It comes as demands are increasing on health and social care services across the UK, often as budgets are tightening.

These circumstances, coupled with the distinctive difficulties rural healthcare providers face, make for a uniquely challenging environment.

Pressure on hospitals in particular is seen as unmanageable in the current context of healthcare supply and demand.

The conference aims to encourage strong leadership and collaboration across the public sector to reduce demand on acute care services and deliver better health outcomes for more citizens.

Speakers will discuss ways that agencies across the public sector can work together to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The conference will also look at ways citizens be empowered to better protect their own health.

Delegates will have the chance to debate and recommend strategies for improving rural health and reducing pressure on services through preventive measures.

The conference is being billed as a prime networking and learning opportunity for all professionals involved in helping to create healthier communities, and sustainable health services.

In particular it is aimed at those who are designing public health services; building better relationships between policy makers, local councils and health providers.

It also seeks to attract stakeholders who are engaging citizens in ways that inform, educate and prompt behavioural change.

Delegate discuss the challenges facing rural health providers and debate how public sector organisations could adapt and work together more effectively and with citizens.

They will also have the opportunity to learn how other organisations are using technologies and citizen engagement techniques to drive better outcomes for services and citizens.

This will be both in the context of health initiatives and wider government objectives.

For the full conference programme click here.