We've had a brilliant second day at our virtual annual conference and exhibition 2020 with engaging breakout sessions on digital leadership, confronting white privilege in the NHS as well as keynotes from Amanda Pritchard and Simon Stevens.

Here's some highlights from today:

Day two plenary and breakout summaries

Keynote address from Amanda Pritchard

In the first of today's plenary sessions, NHS England and NHS Improvement chief operating officer, Amanda Pritchard, focused on the resilience and achievements of the NHS during the first wave of the pandemic. She raised concerns over the toll COVID-19 has had on the NHS workforce as the health service heads into a potential second wave and another challenging winter. Turning to opportunities for the future, Amanda highlighted the value of collaboration as a means to deliver service improvements. In the subsequent Q&A session, Amanda answered questions on topics including asymptomatic staff testing, Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and ICS accountability.

Keynote address from Sir Simon Stevens

In a broad ranging keynote address, NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens began by reflecting on the huge efforts of NHS staff responding to the coronavirus pandemic before acknowledging concerns over rising rates of COVID-19 across different regions. Reflecting on the need for the NHS to be agile as it balanced a number of challenges, including coronavirus and winter, Sir Simon highlighted the disproportionate impacted of COVID-19 on specific groups, the impact on the NHS workforce and on mental health. He also announced £10m of new funding for long-COVID clinics.

What does a new era of digital leadership mean for the provider sector?

This session discussed how the NHS' response to COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation across health and social care, the consequences of these new ways of working and how trust leaders can build strong digital leadership within their organisations.

Changing mindsets: confronting white privilege in the NHS

Raj Jain, Richard Mitchell, Roisin Fallon-Williams and Patricia Miller shared their personal experiences with racism in an engaging and compelling discussion. White speakers also shared their own, continuing journeys of recognising their privilege. The speakers highlighted the importance of recognising and acknowledging racism in organisations and why senior leaders need to centre equality in their messaging and work. They also spoke about what actions can be taken moving forward, such as calling out inappropriate behaviour, language and processes and making racial inequality as high-priority item in the NHS as other metrics of measurement.

New reports launched today

Resilient and resourceful through COVID-19

In the third Providers Deliver we explore the incredible work trusts have done in response to COVID-19. It features case studies from eight trusts across the country and insight from NHS England and NHS Improvement chief operating officer, Amanda Pritchard.

Read report

Key legal considerations arising from the pandemic 

Produced by Hempsons and NHS Providers, this document looks at the legal liabilities that are likely to arise due to the environment created by the pandemic and suggests ways in which trust boards could respond.

Read briefing