About the expo
Bringing the healthcare sector together
The Sussex Healthcare Expo is the brain-child of Tilli Stevens, Clinical Skills Facilitator at St Wilfrid's Hospice, with support from Bryce Murphy (Sussex Audiology), Andrew Albon (Sussex Footcare), and Dave Longman (Corporate Fundraiser at St Wilfrid's Hospice).
Tilli has been an integral member of the hospice team for 13 years, and has played a pivotal role in advancing the clinical capabilities of staff. Through her work, she has supported the development of enhanced practical skills across the team, strengthening the hospice’s ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
In addition to her internal role, Tilli delivers training in palliative and end of life care to external organisations, funded by the Integrated Care Board. Through this work, she identified a wider need among community, care, and nursing staff to refresh and develop their practical clinical skills to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. This insight led to the concept of a collaborative education and networking initiative.
Following the launch of the Eastbourne Healthcare Network at the hospice in January this year, Tilli engaged with key contributors involved in establishing the group, including Bryce, Andrew and Dave. All were enthusiastic about creating an event that brings people together for a more in-depth networking and training opportunity.
With the help of funding from the hospice's Kerry Fund and sponsorship from local businesses, the team have been able to bring their vision to life with a two-day healthcare conference and expo.
Taking place at the East Sussex National Hotel on 25th and 26th February, the event features accredited Clinical Skills Workshops, speakers from across the healthcare sector, and an exhibition hall showcasing healthcare providers, suppliers, services and organisations from across Sussex.
The Kerry Fund
The Kerry Fund at St Wilfrid's Hospice was established in 2023 in memory of Kerry Hughes-Rees.
Kerry was cared for by St Wilfrid's Hospice when she became ill in September 2022. Her husband - Christopher - describes the care she received as 'simply marvellous.' Kerry's desire was to leave a gift in her will as a very big thank you, and that was exactly what she did.
Knowing that Kerry had a life-long passion for learning, Christopher was keen for her legacy to contribute to education and training so that more people could experience excpetional end of life care.
Since then, the Kerry Fund has been instrumental in improving patient care at St Wilfrid's Hospice. A part-time Clinical Skills Facilitator role means that the hospice can provide hands-on practical training that ensures patients with more complex needs can be looked after. Since the introduction of the role the hospice has been able to care for patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies, as well as continuing to safely administer intravenous medications and blood transfusions via a range of lines and medical devices.
But the Kerry Fund isn't just about improving the skills of hospice staff - it is about improving end of life care wherever it happens. The hospice delivers training in palliative and end of life care to external organisations, and has recently become a recognised Learning Hub for the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care (ECEPC) course.
The Sussex Healthcare Expo is the next step in ensuring healthcare professionals from across the sector are confident in providing expert care for the people they support.
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