Reflections and Future Paths" refers to a hybrid event held on June 27, 2025, organized by the International Association of Slovak Doctors and Healthcare Professionals in Slovakia (MALnS) and the Association of Slovak Healthcare Professionals in the UK to discuss the experiences and future perspectives of Slovak healthcare professionals in both countries. The event provided a platform for reflection on current challenges and future paths for Slovak healthcare professionals in the UK and Slovakia, considering factors like the security of borders, EU funds, and the rights of Slovak citizens in the UK following Brexit.

We’re still feeling the incredible energy from our first international healthcare conference, titled 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, which brought together Slovak healthcare professionals from across borders for two unforgettable days in Bratislava.
Organised through a meaningful partnership between the Association of Slovak Healthcare Professionals in the UK and Medzinárodná asociácia lekárov a zdravotníkov na Slovensku (International Association of Doctors and Healthcare Workers in Slovakia), Marian Neradny Alona Kurotová, this event marked not just a beginning — but a reconnection. For many of us, it was the first time meeting in person after years of online collaboration and distance.

🤝 With the support of the 𝗘𝗨’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻, and the valuable contributions of our partners at Slovak Global Network and the Academy of Critical Thinking, we created a space that was not only informative but deeply human.

From panel discussions to spontaneous hallway conversations, the atmosphere was full of openness, expertise, and shared purpose. Healthcare professionals from Slovakia, the UK, and beyond exchanged stories, challenges, and solutions — with an energy that only face-to-face connection can offer.

🎤 We were honoured to welcome representatives from the Ministry of Health, as well as speakers and attendees across various disciplines — all passionate about moving our systems forward and supporting those who care for others.

💬𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁:
🩺 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 Katarina Morris Jakub Rybár Martin Krsak Ondrej Obediar
🤖 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 & 𝗔𝗜: 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆’𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 Martin Krsak
🌍 𝗚𝗣 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮 Marcela Uhliarova
🧠 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Dr Helena Aziri Edita Searle
🧩 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮 𝘃𝘀. 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞 Lenka Janik Blaskova, PhD, CPsychol, FHEA, AFBPsS
⚕️ 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱-𝗼𝗳-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 Katarina Morris
🎓 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 Katarina Lenartova
🛠️ 𝗟𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲/𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 Martin Krsak Imrich Berta Laura Johanesova

We recently organised a video workshop led by Mr. Obediar, dedicated to the mental health of healthcare and social workers. The programme began with an introduction to the key aspects of mental health, followed by a discussion of the everyday challenges faced in healthcare and social professions. Special attention was given to prevention and self-care strategies, as well as the importance of convalescence and a healthy return to work.

Participants also engaged in practical exercises and shared their personal experiences, making the session both interactive and insightful. The workshop concluded with a collective reflection and evaluation, providing valuable feedback for future events.

On 31.1.2025, the Association of Slovak Healthcare professionals in the UK (ASHCPUK) had the honour of hosting a pivotal meeting with the International Association of Physicians in Slovakia (Medzinárodná asociácia lekárov a zdravotníkov na Slovensku) at the Embassy of Slovakia in London - a huge thank you to Nina Spisiak and the Embassy for their warm hospitality and support.

We were privileged to welcome Alona Kurotová and Marian Neradny, with their guest Dana Jurčovičová, who joined us to discuss collaboration and knowledge exchange between Slovak medical professionals across borders. We were also delighted to be joined by Professor Dennis Ougrin from the Ukrainian Medical Association in the UK, whose expertise and insight enriched our discussions.

The key focus of our meeting was our upcoming projects, which have received generous support from the Research and Innovation Authority (Výskumná a inovačná autorita (VAIA) and the EU. These initiatives aim to strengthen professional ties, advance medical research, and create opportunities for healthcare professionals to collaborate on solutions that benefit both patients and practitioners. We firmly believe that international cooperation is the way forward in addressing today’s healthcare challenges.

We encourage all our members, supporters, and fellow professionals to reach out if you are interested in getting involved. Whether you are looking to contribute your expertise, collaborate on research, or simply stay informed, we welcome you to join us in shaping the future of healthcare.

Following this inspiring meeting, on Saturday (1.2.2025), we had the pleasure of attending the Petronela’s Hope Gold Charity Awards in Medway, a beautifully organised event by Petronela Zilik, founder of Petronela’s Hope, a charity dedicated to supporting women affected by domestic violence. It was an evening filled with warmth, solidarity, and generosity, bringing together wonderful people to raise awareness and vital funds for the local communities.

Moments like these remind us of the power of community—whether in healthcare, research, or charity, collaboration is key to driving meaningful change. We are grateful to everyone involved in these events and look forward to continuing our mission to connect, support, and innovate.

Let’s keep the momentum going! If you’d like to learn more or get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out.

On November 16, 2024, the Association of Slovak Healthcare Professionals in the UK (ASHCPUK) held its General Annual Meeting in London. The event brought together Slovak doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom, providing them with a platform to share experiences, strengthen professional ties, and discuss future projects.

Supported by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in London, the meeting highlighted the role of ASHCPUK as a bridge between Slovak healthcare workers abroad and their home country. Participants reflected on the association’s activities over the past year, including professional networking, support services for members, and cooperation with international partners. Andrea Švecová presented her project focused on the wellbeing of healthcare workers, sparking discussion on how to better support staff in demanding medical environments. The event was also honored by the presence of Dr. Oksana Lovochkina, representative of the Ukrainian Medical Association, underlining the close cooperation and friendship between the two organizations.

The gathering once again confirmed the importance of solidarity and collaboration among Slovak healthcare professionals working abroad, reinforcing their contribution both to the NHS in the UK and to the Slovak medical community.

From June 13 to 15, 2024, Košice hosted the 16th Slovak Psychiatric Congress, one of the most significant professional events in the field of psychiatry in Slovakia. The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel welcomed dozens of experts from across Slovakia and abroad, who came together to discuss current issues in mental health, diagnostics, and treatment of psychiatric disorders.

The program included lectures on innovative approaches in psychopharmacotherapy, the sustainability of ADHD treatment in adulthood, and new perspectives in metabolic psychiatry. Ethical questions and the use of restraints in psychiatry, with a focus on more humane practices, were also addressed. A collection of abstracts was published in the professional journal Psychiatria pre prax.

The congress highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and the need for continuous education in mental health, which is becoming increasingly crucial for society.

Our second General Annual Meeting was held on 21st October 2023, in Bohemia House, London, attended by our precious guests from the International Doctors Association in Slovakia, Alona Kurotova and Marian Neradny. We talked about their longstanding support to international medical graduates, but also nurses and other healthcare professions  who start their career in Slovakia. They also prepared project MedIntegro, with materials for healthcare workers preparing to practise in countries of EU.

On 15th November 2023, we attended the Summit organised by Slovak Global Network, in cooperation with the Academy of Critical Thinking, at the Slovak Ministry of Foreign affairs in Bratislava, Slovakia, with many interesting attendees and speakers, including Madame President Zuzana Caputova, and current and former prime ministers. We are looking forward to the future cooperation of Slovak healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom and Slovakia.

Members of the Association attended the First general Annual meeting in Bohemia House in London. We met with the Ambassador of Slovak republic, Dr Robert Ondrejcsak and also welcomed a guest of honour, Professor Dennis Ougrin, vice-president of the Ukrainian Medical Association in the UK. We discussed our vision and plans for the members and Slovak citizens in the UK.