Conference strands

The 2008 conference programme is structured into plenary sessions for all delegates and strand sessions for smaller groups of delegates. Each session will explore in more depth the overall theme of delivering the future today by focussing on:

Clinical innovation

NHS leaders need to understand the latest clinical innovations if they are going to take full advantage of the benefits they could deliver. Innovation is not just devices and drugs, changes in clinical organisation and even whole systems are just as likely to create opportunities and threats that organisations need to respond to.

Health inequalities

Addressing health inequalities is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS and is a key priority for the Prime Minister and the new ministerial team. NHS leaders must consider both the direct role they can play and the contribution the NHS as a whole can make in addressing the wider determinants of health.

Leadership

As we move towards strong, local autonomous organisations working within a wider NHS system, the need for boards to rise to the leadership challenge is greater than ever before. Boards must take the lead in transformational change, in enhancing their organisation's reputation, and in nurturing managers and leaders from the medical profession to ensure future success.

Levers of change

NHS managers need to use the levers of change in the reform agenda to drive transformation in the NHS and improve patient care. Many of these levers are just being defined and refined to work right across the NHS and support integrated care. The NHS Next Stage Review, led by health minister Lord Darzi, will also be exploring and reporting on how these levers should be improved.

Quality, safety and dignity

We know that these are the issues that matter most to patients, the public, staff and politicians. In the last year, the safety agenda has been put in the spotlight and been given the priority it deserves. Dignity in care has been neglected, and NHS leaders will need to examine how they can ensure it is a key priority in their organisations and embedded in practice.

Workforce

Workforce is fundamental to the future success of the NHS. Staff engagement is at the heart of the NHS Next Stage Review, and we expect the 60th anniversary of the NHS to bring a focus on pride and the aspiration of the NHS to be a world class employer. How can we ensure the NHS has a workforce that canmeet the challenges of the future?

Shaping the NHS for the future

The 60th year of the NHS will see the culmination of the Our NHS, Our future review and publication of Lord Darzi's final report on the health service's vision for the next decade. This strand will look at some of the building blocks for achieving the vision of a fair, personalised, effective, safe and locally accountable health service.