Following the release of NHS England's 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, organisations are required to improve outcomes in a number of critical workforce areas. This webinar, delivered in partnership with Patchwork Health, will explore actionable strategies to help NHS trusts meet workforce targets, increase productivity and ensure financial sustainability—all while delivering high-quality patient care.

1. Strategies to meet workforce targets, focusing on agency spend, staff retention and recruitment through efficient rostering and workforce management.
2. Insights into innovative digital solutions to enhance staffing flexibility, reduce administrative tasks and support staff well-being.
3. Practical examples of efficient staffing models that can be adapted across trusts.

Why this matters

The NHS faces significant pressure to meet its 2025/26 operational goals. This webinar will explore strategies that address key challenges, including reducing reliance on temporary staff, improving retention, and leveraging digital tools for workforce management. By showcasing real-world examples from NHS trusts, we’ll present practical solutions that can shape future policies and drive sustainable productivity gains while aligning with the long-term vision for the NHS workforce and operations.

What we'll cover

• National priorities: A comprehensive overview of the 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, with a focus on workforce implications.
• Enhancing productivity: Strategies to achieve the mandated 4% productivity improvement and 1% cost reduction through best practices and innovative approaches.
• Financial management: Methods for minimising organisational costs in line with delivering a 30% reduction on agency spend.
• Implementing digital tools: Understanding the role of digital solutions in transforming workforce planning and streamlining deployment.
• Improving efficiency: Unpacking the impact of workforce efficiency on service delivery and patient care, and how to maintain safe staffing levels within financial constraints.

Who should attend

This session is tailored for key NHS decision-makers, including: 

• Chief executives

• Chief information officers and digital leads

• Chief operating officers

• Finance directors

• Speakers

• HR directors

• Medical directors

Speakers
  

Sue Hodkinson | Director of NHS Partnerships, Patchwork Health

Sue has 20+ years’ experience as a Human Resources professional in private and public sector organisations. As a former executive director of people and member of the Board within both Acute and Specialist NHS Trusts, Sue has extensive experience supporting and delivering organisational strategies, supporting colleagues and developing system thinking. 

Richard Lucas | Head of Data, Patchwork Health

Richard is a versatile data expert, with 20+ years of experience in NHS workforce management across all staff groups. With a deep understanding of NHS human resource and workforce strategies, he has led multiple digital transformation programs with organisations across the UK and Northern Ireland, driving evidence-based improvements. 

Lee Peart | Editor, Healthcare Management

Lee is an experienced health and social care editor. He led the launch of Hemming Group’s new fortnightly magazine for healthcare leaders, Healthcare Management, in October 2024 and is a regular contributor to sister title, The Municipal Journal. Previously, Lee spent eight years as an editor of leading social care publications. He established Care Home Professional as a market leading monthly magazine and newsletter before leaving to lead the relaunch of established social care publication Caring Times as editor-in-chief. During his coverage of the pandemic, Lee appeared on national TV and radio. He has also hosted major industry roundtable, panel and awards events.

Book your place

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