This conference serves to provide a national platform for healthcare professionals to network and learn the latest healthcare quality improvement and patient safety developments from local and international experts and thought leaders. From its humble beginning as a half-day in-house forum at the College of Medicine Building, MOH the event has evolved into a premier conference receiving strong recognition and support. The last Conference which was held from 29 - 30 Sep 2009 at the Suntec International Exhibition and Convention Centre had registered 1250 participants from Singapore and around the region. More than a hundred participants had to be turned away due to space constraints. We promise to cater for more participants this year.

More than 40 speakers, including our distinguished guests, Dr James Bagian, a veteran NASA Astronaut, Human Factors and Patient Safety expert, and Dr Graham Copeland, Consultant General Surgeon, Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust, an expert in clinical audit and benchmarking graced the event. Dr Bagian shared with us his insights in developing a safer healthcare system and sustaining a culture of safety, and Dr Copeland illuminated us with his experience on conducting clinical benchmarking and audit in the United Kingdom.

This year, the conference theme will be "My Patient: My Care – doing the right things and doing things right". In a climate of uncertainty, where many industries once thought incontrovertibly reliable have stumbled due to human factors, we are reminded once more that the robustness of our healthcare system depends upon the integrity, passion and dedication of each and every individual who plays their part in the delivery of healthcare in Singapore. This personal responsibility challenges and upholds the conviction of every healthcare provider to provide the best possible care, to the best of their abilities for the patients.

We are delighted to have the support of our key international partners, the Joint Commission and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) from the United States and the New South Wales Clinical Excellence Commission (NSW CEC) from Australia.

This year's programme will also feature a dedicated track for the Intermediate and Long Term care sector, to focus on the unique needs and delivery of healthcare quality improvement in the step-down care sector.

This conference will present you with many opportunities to explore how best to adopt, adapt, replicate and implement new ideas to advance the quality and safety of care at your institution.

I hope to see you this October.