Session formats

At NHS ConfedExpo 2023, we will have a stage dedicated to high-calibre panels of experts exploring the most important developments and challenges for the health and care sector.

Key information

Panel stage sessions are 60 minutes in length, and should be set out with sufficient time for audience Q&A – something like the following

5 minutes - Chair introduction to key issue of session and panel members

5 minutes - Panel members 1 min each introduce selves

25 minutes - Panel discussion with equal time for each speaker

20 minutes - Audience Q&A

5 minutes - Closing remarks by Chair

(The format can be different from the above example, so long as there is enough time throughout for engagement)

• Purpose-built theatre-style stage near to the keynote auditorium
• Capacity for a seated audience of up to 500
• Maximum of five panel members including Chair, which should include:
  • One national voice from NHS England / NHS Confederation
  • At least one person from an external organisation (Charities/Professional bodies/LAs/Private sector (if appropriate)
  • At least one person from a frontline NHS organisation / system
  • At least one patient or patient advocate

Session format principles

• A panel session on the main stage at NHS ConfedExpo is a unique and high-profile communications and engagement opportunity
• All panel sessions must be fully relevant, interesting and thought-provoking – ideally, they should be used to unveil an exciting new development
• NHS ConfedExpo is a joint conference, and all sessions must be developed in full partnership between NHS England and NHS Confederation.
• Focus on the most important opportunities and challenges within your theme area
• The session needs to reflect the national approach to the subject matter, as well as the practicalities of delivery on the ground.
• An hour is a relatively short time, so the panel will only have time to give their pre-prepared views on one specific aspect of the session topic.
• More than half of attendees at NHS ConfedExpo are Heads of Department or more senior. It is important to engage with the audience and hear what they have to say. There should be at least 20 minutes – one third of the session – dedicated to audience engagement.
  • Slido will be available for use in main stage sessions – this software is fully integrated with the NHS ConfedExpo app and allows audience members to submit questions for the panel members.
  • Slido is not compulsory – this Q&A session can also be run “traditionally”, with audience members raising hands if they want to speak
  • Roving mics will be available, managed by NHS ConfedExpo staff

• The topic under discussion, as well as the key aspects to be drawn out by panel members, must be fully agreed by both NHS England and NHS Confederation.
  • For this high-profile panel session, this includes full, detailed agreement by the Directors of Communication at both organisations.

At NHS ConfedExpo 2023, we will have a stream of cabaret-style rooms dedicated to in-depth and engaging workshops exploring the opportunities and solutions presented by the most important developments and challenges for the health and care sector.

Key information

Cabaret-style breakouts are 70 - 90 minute slots, and should be set similar to the following:

5 minutes - Chair introduction to key issue of session and experts/facilitators

15 minutes - Experts/facilitators introduce the session’s key lines of inquiry and the context behind them

30 minutes - Facilitated table work exploring the key lines of inquiry

20 minutes - Table-by-table feedback

10 minutes - Closing remarks by Chair and experts/facilitators focused on next steps

(The format can be different from the above example, as long as the focus is on group engagement and discussion.)

• There are three Cabaret-style rooms, between the main exhibition floor and the large Panel and Keynote stages
• Room capacities range from 120 - 150
• Cabaret-style sessions should focus on engagement with the delegates in the room, rather than on the views of the Chair or the session facilitators. Personnel should be:
  • One Chair managing the session
  • One facilitator per table – these facilitators should be subject matter experts from the NHS system (particularly ICB leaders), and from partner organisations.

Session format principles

• NHS ConfedExpo is a joint conference and all sessions must be developed in full partnership between NHS England and NHS Confederation.
• Focus on the most important opportunities and challenges within your theme area
• More than half of attendees at NHS ConfedExpo are Heads of Department or more senior. The cabaret-style breakout sessions are designed to support in-depth engagement with the individuals who will be making key decisions and/or implementing change in their own organisations.
• Roving mics will be available, along with screens, flipcharts etc
• The topic under discussion, as well as the key aspects to be explored by delegates, must be fully agreed by both NHS England and NHS Confederation.

At NHS ConfedExpo 2023, we have a strand of theatre-style rooms dedicated to sharing case studies of great work and explaining how delegates can adapt and adopt the principles of that work to different organisations and/or specialties.

Key information

Theatre-style breakouts are 60 minute slots, and should be set out similar to the following:

5 minutes - Chair introduction to key issue of session

25 minutes - Presentations from one or two case studies, to set out how their work can be adapted and adopted

20 minutes - Q&A with audience

5 minutes - Closing remarks by Chair

• Room capacities ranging from 70 - 80
• The session should focus on sharing learning and good practice, and equip delegates with the knowledge and tools they need to adapt and adopt within their organisation
• An hour is a relatively short time, so there should be no more than two case studies. We would expect each case study to have one, or maximum two, people from the organisations responsible. It may be important for a couple of partners to be represented to share their learning and experiences
  • One Chair managing the session
  • One/two leads from the organisations responsible for the case study to shortly and crisply share:
    • What they’ve practically done that’s worked well and how they’ve done it 
    • Why they’ve done it – including how data has informed their work 
    • What the impact has been - including showing the evidence that it has worked 
    • What the challenges were and how they overcame them 
    • The key lessons learnt 
    • The key takeaways which others can adapt and adopt

Session format principles

• NHS ConfedExpo is a joint conference, and all sessions must be developed in full partnership between NHS England and NHS Confederation
• Focus on the most impactful and adaptable/adoptable transformations within your theme area
• More than half of attendees at NHS ConfedExpo are Heads of Department or more senior. It is important that all sessions give sufficient time for Q&A engagement/discussion with attendees
• Roving mics will be available

The breakfast sessions offer the opportunity to showcase your thought leadership on a subject linked to your business objectives. The sessions are 60 minutes in length and you are able to deliver your content in a variety of formats ranging from a single keynote address or a fireside chat to an interactive session or panel discussion.

Key information

Breakfast sessions are 60 minute slots, and should be set out similar to the following:

5 minutes - Chair introduction to key issue of session

25 minutes - Presentations in the form of an interesting format e.g a single keynote address or a fireside chat to an interactive session or panel discussion.

20 minutes - Q&A with audience

5 minutes - Closing remarks by Chair

• Room capacities ranging from 70 - 80
• The session offer the opportunity to showcase your thought leadership on a subject linked to your business objectives and should focus on sharing learning and good practice, and equip delegates with the knowledge and tools they need to adapt and adopt within their organisation

Session format principles

• NHS ConfedExpo is a joint conference, and all sessions must be developed in full partnership between NHS England and NHS Confederation
• Focus on the most impactful and adaptable/adoptable transformations within your theme area
• More than half of attendees at NHS ConfedExpo are Heads of Department or more senior. It is important that all sessions give sufficient time for Q&A engagement/discussion with attendees
• Roving mics will be available