TO BE PUBLISHED January 2026
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This conference will focus on next steps for patient safety in England, with discussion on streamlined oversight, strengthened patient and staff voice, improved use of data, and workforce support and development for delivery of safer care.
Policy developments & implications
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to consider the way forward following the Government’s acceptance of recommendations from Dr Penny Dash’s Review of patient safety across the health and care landscape. The agenda will look at implications for governance structures, accountability, patient and staff voice, investigative functions, data use and quality strategies across health and adult social care - as well as alignment with priorities in the 10‑Year Health Plan.
Delegates will also examine the newly published NHS trust performance league tables, including how results are adjusted for fairness and transparency, and how findings will be used to initiate and scope targeted improvement support.
Accountability, oversight & Martha’s rule
Sessions will assess how roles and responsibilities across oversight and investigative bodies can be streamlined and clarified, including options for the future role and remit of the National Quality Board, the Care Quality Commission’s sector‑specific registration and inspection responsibilities, and the investigative function of HSSIB as an independent body.
Areas for discussion include the future of patient experience structures, and expectations for how patient and family voice should inform complaints and redress procedures, and service improvement. Delegates will also examine integration of Local Healthwatch, ICBs and providers, responsibilities for commissioners and providers, and development of a national quality strategy in adult social care.
Oversight and complaints processes will also be considered, looking at incident response to varying safety outcomes - such as maternity and neonatal care - including systems needed to enable timely second opinions, rapid reviews, and effective resolution of concerns. Sessions will also discuss approaches to achieving consistent application of Martha’s Rule across settings, including priorities for staff support, supervision and organisational culture.
Leadership & the workforce
Best practice for staff supervision and team working will reviewed, including how physician associates and anaesthesia associates are deployed and managed, as well as issues around training, expanding multidisciplinary roles, clarity on team responsibilities and escalation routes. Workforce capacity will also be considered - looking at how factors such as staffing levels, rostering, retention and wellbeing affect safety and delivery.
Digital tools
On data and technology, delegates will discuss early‑warning systems and other digital tools, particularly with regard to maternity outcomes. Interoperability, data quality, clinical governance and safeguards for use in practice will be considered.
