A Bradford specialist and a doctor from Pakistan visiting the city are among medics trying to boost global healthcare through a new network.

Epidemiologist Professor John Wright, director of research and development at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, and Dr Rayaz Chaudhry, from Bradford's twin town of Mirpur, who is on a 12-week fact-finding secondment at Bradford Royal Infirmary, have teamed up with health workers from across the globe.

NHS Links was launched yesterday at the Promoting Global Awareness: Promoting International Health Links in the NHS conference at the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds.

The network, which consists of health professionals involved in partnerships between the UK and developing countries, aims to improve healthcare across the world.

Prof Wright joined a host of speakers including Dr Yoseph Mamo, of Jimma University in Ethiopia, and Edna Adan Ismail, Minister for International Affairs in Somaliland.

Prof Wright said: "Exchanges of health professionals can bring much-needed expertise to poor communities and help improve access to appropriate healthcare.

"As developed countries struggle to rein in heath budgets, a great deal can be learned from overseas about how effective healthcare can be provided for a tiny fraction of what developing countries spend. Developed countries such as the UK also have much to learn from innovative approaches to improving population health.

"For organisations, international exchanges provide the opportunity for developing the workforce - nurturing and motivating staff and championing diversity and a culture of open minds. Exchanges can motivate and energise staff, encourage ways of new thinking and promote sensitivities to different countries."

NHS Links, which is backed by the Department for International Development and the Department of Health, wants to see international health given a higher profile and put at the heart of the NHS through exchanging good ideas on improving the impact of health links, fundraising and organising trips.

Yesterday's conference urged more NHS staff to follow the lead of Bradford Teaching Hospitals which has forged health links with centres in Swaziland, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

Professor of Child Health at Leicester Royal Infirmary Mike Silverman, who also spoke at the conference, said: "Health professionals have a major contribution to make in forging partnerships to raise global awareness about health burdens, and exchanging knowledge and skills to reduce them."

He added: "Traditionally, it has been doctors and nurses who tend to be most involved in links. However, other areas of expertise such as information technology, human resources, finances and health service management, may be more valuable fields for joint working."