Morning, Wednesday, 16th September 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for the use of technology, data and innovation in the NHS.
The agenda focuses on the way forward for improving productivity, supporting service delivery, widening access to innovation, and reducing administrative pressures. Areas for discussion include how new technologies can be deployed effectively across the health service, alongside practical, financial and organisational considerations that will influence implementation.
Overall, the conference will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities in the context of the 10 Year Health Plan, the 2025 Mandate to NHS England, and proposals expected to be taken forward through the NHS Modernisation Bill.
Attendees will consider implications of plans for a Single Patient Record, wider use of AI, expansion of virtual wards, and further development of patient-facing digital services, alongside what will be needed to support delivery across increasingly pressured health systems, including governance, procurement, workforce capability, public confidence, access to care, and approaches to ensuring that innovation can be adopted consistently and effectively across different parts of the NHS.
Technology, data & service delivery
Delegates will assess what can be learned from technology programmes implemented across the NHS to date, examining evidence on operational performance, financial impact and patient outcomes. Sessions will consider where benefits have been demonstrated, alongside lessons from areas where implementation has proven more challenging - as well as implications for future investment and delivery priorities.
Further discussion will examine national and local technology infrastructure, including the Federated Data Platform and related programmes intended to support information-sharing and service planning.
Attendees will consider priorities for interoperability between systems, approaches to reconciling national consistency with local flexibility and managing supplier relationships, as well as what will be needed to support effective use of data across ICSs and provider organisations.
The agenda also examines the role of automation, AI and other emerging technologies in supporting service delivery. Discussion is expected on approaches to improving clinical productivity, reducing administrative burden and supporting care closer to home, alongside questions around evaluation, implementation, accountability and workforce impact.
Additional areas for discussion include:
- AI in practice: clinical decision support - triage - discharge planning - remote monitoring - evaluation
- community-based care: virtual wards - remote services - practicalities for delivery and scaling
Patient access, digital services & care pathways
Sessions will assess proposals to expand access to NHS services through online and remote channels, including development of NHS Online and wider use of digital pathways. Discussion will consider implications for patient experience, continuity of care, service navigation and access across different communities and population groups.
Delegates will examine future development of the NHS App, including proposals for AI-supported navigation, provider comparison tools and integration of information generated through wearable devices. Priorities for ensuring information is useful, accessible and trusted will be assessed, alongside implications for patient choice, engagement and service delivery.
Further discussion is expected on service design, including how patients and communities can be involved in the development of digital services.
Additional areas for discussion include:
- digital inclusion: accessibility - usability - addressing potential exclusion from service changes - support for different populations
- patient engagement: co-design - community participation - responsiveness to user needs
- confidence and adoption: public understanding - transparency - patient expectations
Regulation, procurement & data governance
The conference will examine governance arrangements for increasing use of health data and technology across the NHS. Discussion will consider proposals for a Single Patient Record, priorities for information governance, safeguards for data use, and approaches to maintaining transparency and accountability as data-sharing arrangements evolve.
Delegates will assess the way forward for interaction between regulation, procurement and technology adoption, including implications for clinical practice, organisational decision-making and public confidence. Governance of national data partnerships is expected to be a focus, looking at the use of patient information for service planning, and approaches to ensuring appropriate oversight as new technologies are introduced.
The agenda will also consider procurement reform, including development of the Innovator Passport and other measures intended to reduce duplication and support adoption of proven technologies. Attendees will discuss how procurement and approval processes can support innovation while maintaining value for money, effective scrutiny and local accountability.
Areas for discussion include:
- Single Patient Record: governance arrangements - safeguards - implementation priorities - accountability
- data use: transparency - governance and oversight - confidentiality - public confidence - national data partnerships - information-sharing
- procurement reform: Innovator Passport - reducing duplication - adoption pathways - consistency
- regulation and innovation: proportionality - safety - evaluation - accountability
- financial oversight: value for money - affordability - scrutiny
Workforce capability & adoption
There will also be a focus on supporting the workforce through increasing use of technology and new models of service delivery. Delegates will consider implications for workforce planning, professional roles, organisational change and day-to-day working practices, alongside approaches to supporting adoption across different parts of the NHS.
Attendees will assess priorities for digital skills, leadership and workforce development in the context of the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan. Discussion is expected on training requirements, professional confidence, workforce engagement, and approaches to ensuring staff can make effective use of new systems and technologies.
The agenda will also consider priorities for capability-building through initiatives such as the NHS Digital Academy, alongside support for educators, clinical leaders and digital champions.
Additional areas for discussion include:
- workforce adaptation: changing roles - automation - virtual care models - organisational impact
- skills, leadership and capability: digital confidence - literacy - professional development - workforce readiness
- organisational readiness: sustainable adoption - engagement - implementation capacity - support for change
Innovation, evaluation & access to technology
Further sessions will examine priorities for improving access to innovative technologies across the NHS, including implications of NICE lifecycle evaluation reforms, multi-technology assessments and the National Healthtech Access Programme. Discussion will focus on how innovation can be adopted more consistently and effectively while responding to service pressures across different regions and care settings.
Delegates will assess barriers that can prevent technologies progressing beyond pilot programmes, including procurement challenges, variation in adoption, evidence requirements and organisational capacity.
Attendees will also consider how innovation pathways can support SMEs, academic institutions, research organisations and NHS partners, alongside priorities for ensuring that evaluation, adoption and implementation arrangements remain clear, proportionate and responsive to patient and service needs.
Additional areas for discussion include:
- NICE reform: lifecycle evaluation - multi-technology assessments - adoption implications
- access to innovation: National Healthtech Access Programme - consistency - implementation
- scaling technologies: moving beyond pilots - organisational readiness - capacity
- regional variation: addressing uneven adoption - reducing duplication - access across systems
- evidence and evaluation: effectiveness - service impact - decision-making frameworks
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials Department for Business and Trade; Department of Health and Social Care; HM Prison and Probation Service; Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; National Audit Office; and UK Health Security Agency.
