Annual conference and exhibition 2020 day one

06 October 2020

We've had a brilliant first day at our first virtual annual conference and exhibition, with over 800 delegates, speakers and exhibitors 'on-site'. 

We had three thought-provoking plenary sessions, seven breakout sessions and four new report launches. 

Here's a round-up of what happened today...

Chris' opening address

NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson opened this year's conference with a reflection on the challenges faced and achievements made by the NHS since the outbreak of the pandemic. Chris highlighted the debt we owe our NHS and social care workforce, the ways in which COVID-19 gave light to inequalities in our country and health service and discussed why the NHS was never a COVID-only service

In the second half of his speech, Chris discussed the future of the health service, including the comprehensive spending review and the proposed new NHS Bill. He also reinforced the need to move rapidly with "more consistent" system working before outlining that NHS finances were "failing" to keep up with growing demand, warning of the consequences this trend had on social care services.

 

Read Chris' speech in full

 

Day one plenary sessions


Panel discussion - inclusive leadership

In the first of our panel sessions, Patricia Miller, chief executive of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Roger Kline, research fellow at Middlesex University, discussed the importance of effective initiatives to tackle inequality in the NHS. They reflected on the impact of the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and the actions trusts boards can take to make meaningful change.


Q&A discussion with Care Quality Commission's (CQC) on their forthcoming strategy with their chief executive and chief inspector of hospitals

Ian Trenholm, CQC chief executive and Ted Baker, chief inspector of hospitals, updated delegates on CQC's plans to adapt its regulatory approach following the COVID-19 pandemic. Ian reflected on plans for CQC's new strategy, and the regulator's ambitions to maximise their effectiveness and be ambitious for services, enabling them to innovate and improve. Ted went on to provide an update on their transitional regulatory approach, which will focus on building a rounded view of quality and risks in services, and move towards a more targeted and responsive monitoring process, supported by technology.

 

Change to day 3 plenary sessions

 We've had to make some last minute changes to the plenary session timings on day 3 of the conference (Thursday 8 October). Please see new timings below:

15:40 - Keynote address from secretary of state for health and social care

16:00 - The impact of COVID-19 on mental health

16:40 - Round up and close of conference

 

New briefings launched today

The state of the NHS provider sector: survey findings

Our annual survey of NHS hospital, mental health, community and ambulance trusts. The report reflects on learning from the first wave of the pandemic. Find out what trust leaders are most concerned about.

Read briefing

 

Spotlight on... digital transformation in response to COVID-19

The NHS has responded in scale and at speed to put into place incredible digital advance in response to COVID-19. Our new Spotlight on... briefing showcases some of these innovations in the acute, specialist, mental health, ambulance and community sectors. 

Read briefing


Revolutionise pay. Change lives.

Earnd provides employees with information on their daily earnings, and enables them to draw down, save and manage their earnings more flexibly. Read the report to find out about their on-demand pay system, which is free for life to NHS trusts and their employees.


Read case study

 

Development offer brochure

Find out about the latest training and events we offer board leaders. These include our new digital boards programme, which is designed to support boards in leading the digital transformation agenda, and our peer support offer for STPs.


Download brochure