A delegation from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health visited the University of Warwick on the 8th March to learn about healthcare in the UK and find out about how the NHS tackles population health within the NHS. The delegation of 23 senior officials was welcomed by the Dean, Professor Sudhesh Kumar,

The officials were hosted by Professor Paramjit Gill who has previously worked with the Thai Ministry. Professor Gill said: “The visit was a great opportunity to highlight the great work being done by the NHS in the UK and to explain the challenges our health service faces. It was also a chance to tell the delegation about some of the research and teaching that takes place at Warwick Medical School.”

The Royal Thai Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) oversees all public medical services provided to the Thai population and is one of the largest government ministries. It oversees over 20 different government healthcare agencies and is responsible for over 800 hospitals. The delegation was led by Dr Tawekiat Boonyapaisarncharoen, who was Director General Health Inspector at MoPH and has also worked as Provincial Chief Medical Officer in Thailand.

After visiting the University the delegation visited the Priory Gate Practice based in the City of Coventry Healthcare Centre; then to the Coventry & Rugby GP Alliance where they heard from Dr Nish Wiratunga and Michelle Horn on alternative models of delivering primary care.