As NHS ConfedExpo 2025 approaches, we spoke with Rebecca Gray, Director Mental Health Network, 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 2025?

I’m looking forward to meeting a wide range of people involved in different aspects of healthcare, including our own members who I know will be there in force.

Why should people attend NHS ConfedExpo 2025?

First, it’s rare and precious to get a chance to spend a proper amount of time off the laptop and Teams calls to listen, talk and connect. I don’t think there is another opportunity like this to really immerse yourself in learning about new things that are making a difference to the way we provide healthcare.

Looking at the NHS ConfedExpo 2025 programme, what are you most looking forward to and why?

I want to make the most out of the programme by joining the sessions focused on mental health, like the one which will discuss the implications of the Mental Health Bill going through Parliament. But I’m also interested in topics important for but not specific to the future of mental health services, like the sessions on neighbourhood health and unlocking the power of innovation. 

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

Improving interface working across mental health and acute A&E services is definitely high on my list. The challenge of how to better meet the needs of people in mental health crisis is a theme across the country. A session like this with time to interact, discuss and learn from what others are doing feels like a really good use of time for those involved in mental health and acute services. I’m hoping we will bring back points we can use in our own improvement programme in this area. 

I’m also keen to attend Joint working to improve homes for people with a learning disability and autistic people. This is an important session for a few reasons. Housing is central to health and to an effective healthcare system. The provision of housing for people with a learning disability or autism is a great example of where the NHS needs to work effectively with local government, and it’s good to see a panel which includes both. Also, it’s really topical given a new Mental Health Act would ensure more people with learning disabilities are supported to live in the community rather than hospital.

Another session I’ve marked in my calendar is Outside our comfort zone: addressing racism, privilege and power within inpatient mental health. The massive disparities between different communities in experience of, and outcomes from care, and in mental health, the use of restraint and detention, are well known. Trusts around the country are rolling out patient and carer race equality frameworks (PCREF). At the same time, I know that NHS teams want to hear from colleagues who have faced up to some of the fundamental issues that sit behind this inequity and shifted services as a consequence.

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

There are plenty, but I am particularly looking forward to hearing Professor Sir Chris Whitty speak. He is really thoughtful about what drives health in the country, and it's always worth hearing what he has to say.

What are you hoping to take away from the conference?

A sense of what’s possible. The joy of joining the NHS Confederation this year has been the chance to spend time with our Mental Health members and to talk to colleagues in our ICS, Acute, Community and Primary Care networks about the interfaces between our work and what we can work on together. NHS ConfedExpo is a perfect place to have those conversations.

Any final comments?

I’m looking forward to seeing as many members of the Mental Health Network as possible in Manchester.

Rebecca Gray

Director, Mental Health Network

To view the full agenda, click here.