With just one week to go till NHS ConfedExpo, we spoke with Joan Saddler, Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation, about the value of this landmark health and care event and her personal highlights from this year’s programme.

What are you looking forward to most at NHS ConfedExpo?

I’m looking forward to NHS Confedexpo as it is a great place to connect with like-minded colleagues, taking time out to reflect, strategise and fast-track your own learning.

Why should people attend NHS ConfedExpo?

This is a crucial time for leaders tackling workforce and health inequalities to come together and prioritise the need to ensure that everyone using health and social care services receives high-quality care from the skilled and diverse workforce that we have.

Looking at the programme, what are you most looking forward to and why?

Sessions focussed on health inequalities can be found across the programme. There are dedicated sessions tackling workforce equality across systems and providers. I’m looking forward to sessions looking at healthcare finance and the integral nature that leaders tackling inequality must play if the Government’s three shifts are to be achieved.

Are there any other sessions you are looking forward to attending?

The BME Leadership Network (BLN) lunch underpins why anti-racism is improvement. It’s a vibrant, diverse space, especially useful for isolated staff, and CEO’s are particularly invited to celebrate collective progress and to surpass challenges.

An equality and diversity lens for inclusion enables better use of finances. Eliminating agency spend: a smarter workforce for a sustainable NHS demonstrates how the NHS can deliver cost-effective care, without compromising quality – a must-see with a great panel including Karen Bonner, Regional Chief Nurse for London, NHS England.

Creating conditions for change: transforming outcomes through collaborative care is a session demonstrating productivity and efficiency gains realised through clinicians and communities working closer together across primary and secondary care.  See the ‘three shifts’ in action led by Confed’s Carol Hill, former CCG accountable officer.

Are there any speakers you are looking forward to hearing from?

Sam Allen, as an ICS CEO and chair of Confed’s Women Leaders Network (WLN), is experienced in successfully tackling workforce and health inequalities for all. You can hear her at the main stage session I am chairing, which also includes Prof Bola Owolabi. WLN will also host a breakfast event chaired by Victoria Macdonald, but be quick to sign up as the session will fill up quickly!

What advice would you give someone who is attending NHS ConfedExpo for the first time?

Scrutinise your programme before you get there, choosing 1st and 2nd session options as they can fill up quickly and explore the layout. It’s pretty fast paced and you’ll meet new people and learn a lot, so enjoy it. Our NHS Confed stand is also there to help you navigate your way if needed.

What are you hoping to take away from the conference?

Rejuvenation from actual face-to-face time with colleagues, as nothing beats real debate, challenge and celebration of the NHS.

Joan Saddler OBE
Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation

To view the full agenda, click here.