Registration & Networking

Chair Opening Address (Confirmed)

With a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, staff retention has emerged as one of the most pressing workforce challenges. The panel discussion will bring together leaders within workforce planning, clinicians and policy makers to explore the causes of these challenges across NHS roles.

Key Discussion Points:

• Impact of working conditions, pay, and staff morale.
• Strategies for improving career progression, training and support.
• Role of flexible working, well-being initiatives, and leadership culture.
• Effectiveness of current policies and the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan’s ambitions to retain staff.

Panellists:

• Danielle Bird, Operations Manager, The Hill (Provisionally Confirmed)
• Jenny Lewis, Director of Human Resources and Occupational Development, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Invited)
• Dr Jacqui Hepburn M.Ed., CFCCIPD, Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Workforce, NHS 24 (Invited)
• Patrick Fowler, Associate, Shared Ventures Ltd (Confirmed)
• Kevin Anderson, GP & Director of Workforce, Haxby Group, Primary Care Workforce Lead, HNY Health & Care Partnership (Confirmed)

In a system where financial resources are limited, workforce motivation often defaults to discussions on pay and incentives. My presentation will showcase how non-monetary approaches—such as recognition frameworks, career development opportunities, flexible working patterns, peer-led initiatives, and culture-building practices—can deliver significant improvements in staff engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

Drawing on practical examples I have implemented within NHS primary care, I will demonstrate how these innovative yet low-cost strategies can:

• Strengthen team morale and commitment.
• Reduce attrition without increasing budgetary pressures.
• Support the wider NHS goals of staff wellbeing and sustainable workforce planning.

This contribution complements the broader conference themes by highlighting a practical, replicable approach to workforce transformation—proving that motivation doesn't always have to come with a financial price tag.

Morning Break & Networking

Chair Morning Reflection (Confirmed)

Case Study - Plus Us

This session will discuss the current and emerging trends shaping off-payroll workforce management, with particular focus on:

• Hidden IR35 risk – how the rise of insourcing can create unforeseen compliance challenges.
• Eliminating umbrella risk and avoiding exposure to non-compliant models.
• Lessons from HMRC updates and industry insight on umbrella tax changes and compliance obligations.
• VAT savings opportunities and how organisations can gain visibility and control of locum spend.

We’ll also share case studies where Plus Us helped an organisation reduce reliance on umbrella companies, deliver measurable VAT savings, and improve workforce visibility and control and where Plus Us uncovered and resolved a significant IR35 risk concerning an insourcing provider.

Case Study - NHS Workforce Alliance

This session will explore contemporary trends in the contingent labour workforce supply to the NHS, including thoughts on:

• the rebalancing of bank and agency supply
• the deployment of outsourced and insourced services
• the role of the commercial sector in permanent recruitment
• the increasing criticality of workforce support systems

The current situation is fluid and hard to predict. The session will end with an open Q&A to give delegates the opportunity to share ideas.

Drawing on his experience as a former DHSC minister Andrew will talk candidly about his time in office and provide insight into the challenges and opportunities the current governments will face whilst perusing their healthcare reforms.

Case Study - RotaMaster

Presented by RotaMaster & GPDQ
Zubeda Shaikh – Finance Director
Sam Avery – Marketing Director

Lunch & Networking

Chair Afternoon Address (Confirmed)

In healthcare, many of us have internalised the message that we need to be heroes - constantly available, endlessly capable, and always putting patients and colleagues first. But the cost of this mindset is burnout, disillusionment, and workforce attrition.

In this honest and practical interview with the chair, Dr Sarah Coope will explore and take questions from the audience about how the 'superhero' narrative drives unhealthy work habits and prevents staff from setting boundaries. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a GP, medical educator and conflict resolution expert, she will offer a compelling alternative: a shift from heroic self-sacrifice to sustainable leadership and self-compassion.

This session will resonate with anyone trying to lead, support or retain a workforce under pressure. It’s a call to let go of perfectionism, embrace our limits, and create a healthier, more human way of working in the NHS.

Trust is crucial for effective teamwork and collaboration. Without it, sharing knowledge and learning from each other becomes challenging.

Trust is the foundation for any relationship both at home and work, absence of trust across teams and in systems is the most severe dysfunction a team can have. Doing more with less means we MUST work better across systems and build the foundations for the future. If we do not trust each other, will we share knowledge, will we learn from each other?

Building trust through communications involves creating systems and protocols that allow different organisations, technologies, and teams to work together seamlessly. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Consistent Information Sharing: Regular and structured communication helps maintain relationships and operational capabilities between all stakeholders.

Interagency Collaboration: Successful projects require collaboration between different agencies, considering their unique needs, capabilities, and operational practices.

How can you build trust in your system?

• Future Proofing the Workforce.
• Workforce Transformation.
• Workforce Innovation.

Primary care is the backbone of the NHS, it faces increasing pressure from rising demand, workforce shortages, and changing patient expectations. The panel discussion will bring together GPs, policy leaders and workforce planners to discuss ways in which to strengthen and sustain the primary care workforce.

Key Discussion Points:

• The current state of the primary care workforce.
• GP recruitment and retention.
• The role of multidisciplinary teams, which include pharmacists, paramedics, and physician associates.
• Innovative models of care and digital tools.
• Training expansion to shift towards community-based and apprenticeship routes.
• Workload management, strategies, and work-life balance.

Panellists:

• Kevin Anderson, GP & Director of Workforce, Haxby Group, Primary Care Workforce Lead, HNY Health & Care Partnership (Confirmed)
• Paul Renshaw, Executive Director of Workforce, NHS Devon, Primary and Social Care (Invited)
• Kristin Francis, Director of Primary Care, Care Unbound (Invited)
• Asad Ashraf, GP, CCIO, Medical Director, Chingford Medical Practice, Bromley Healthcare, E4 Network (Confirmed)

Food, Drinks and Networking

End of Day