Conference

Women in Health and Care: Thriving not Surviving

Register for the Health and Care Women Leaders Network's ninth annual conference on Wednesday 3 December, in Leeds.
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General information

Time
3 December 2025 09:30 GMT
Audience
Open to all

Speakers

  • Sam Allen
    Samantha Allen
    Chief Executive, North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board
  • Helen Buckingham
    Helen Buckingham
    Chair, National Voices
  • Sam Jones bio picture
    Samantha Jones OBE
    Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care
  • Profile picture of Sharon Toora
    Sharon Toora
    Lead Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist, Essex Cardiothoracic Centre
  • Sir Jim Mackey
    Sir Jim Mackey
    Chief Executive Officer, NHS England
  • Nicky Lambert bio picture
    Nicky Lambert
    Associate Professor, Middlesex University
  • Andy Knox bio picture
    Andy Knox MBE
    Medical Director, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and GP Partner, Ash Trees Surgery, Carnforth
  • Fiona Tearle
    Fiona Tearle
    Head of Health Intergration, Herfordshire County Council
  • Amy Hobson
    Amy Hobson
    CEO and Co-founder, The Wellbeing Collective

Delivered by the NHS Confederation’s Health and Care Women Leaders Network. 

Join us on Wednesday 3 December in Leeds for the network's ninth annual conference.

This conference will support your personal and professional development, providing opportunities for learning and networking.

You will hear from inspirational speakers sharing their stories and engage in lively debates on pressing issues in the health and care sector, empowering you to flourish in your career and life.

This year's theme, thriving not surviving, promotes a culture of hope and optimism, focusing on work-life balance, effective coping strategies, envisioning life beyond work and fostering ownership and responsibility among younger women in leadership roles.

Together, we will explore how you can thrive in your career and beyond.

If you missed it, watch highlights from last year.

Programme 
  • An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

  • Sam, will kick off the event by highlighting the day's focus and key themes. There will also be an opportunity to participate in an icebreaker activity and connect with fellow delegates.

    Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network

  • Leaders from the health and social care sector will discuss the future of health and social care and its implications for women in the field. They will share personal stories and leadership journeys, highlighting the challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation.

    Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board; and Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network

    Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive Officer, NHS England

    Samantha Jones OBE, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care

  • This inspiring session will also feature women leaders from the health and social care system sharing their personal stories and leadership journeys, including the challenges they've faced and how they overcame them. It’s a unique opportunity to gain insights, ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation.

    Chair

    Helen Buckingham, Chair, National Voices

    Panellists 

    Sharon Toora, Lead Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist, Essex Cardiothoracic Centre

    Fiona Tearle, Head of Health Intergration, Herfordshire County Council 

    Speaker 3 - Information available soon.

  • An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

  • Choose one of the three breakout sessions to attend, focusing on your personal and professional development. If you're interested in more than one, the sessions will be repeated later in the day.

    Breakout session 1 - Embedding compassionate cultures in health and care 

    This interactive session will explore how leaders can cultivate environments that support wellbeing, resilience and growth for themselves and their teams. Participants will be guided through practical frameworks and real-world examples demonstrating how compassionate leadership and psychologically safe cultures can transform workplaces from survival mode into spaces where individuals truly thrive.

    Amy Hobson, CEO and Co-founder, The Wellbeing Collective

    Breakout session 2 - Managing behaviours and addressing inappropriate conduct 

    Focusing on managing personal behaviors and addressing inappropriate conduct in health and care settings, this session is a facilitated discussion, guiding the group through scenarios and strategies for self-reflection. This approach aims to raise awareness of how individual behaviors impact team dynamics and patient care.

    Speaker details available soon.

    Breakout session 3 - More information coming soon
  • An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

  • Health and wellbeing expert Nicky will share insights and practical strategies for self-care and supporting those around you, fostering a culture where people thrive, not just survive. Discover how to build and sustain a healthy work-life balance, navigate the demands of home and professional life, and manage the pressures associated with high-intensity roles.

    Nicky Lambert, Associate Professor, Department of Mental Health and Social Work

  • Choose one of the three breakout sessions to attend, focusing on your personal and professional development.

    Breakout session 1 - Embedding compassionate cultures in health and care 

    This interactive session will explore how leaders can cultivate environments that support wellbeing, resilience and growth for themselves and their teams. Participants will be guided through practical frameworks and real-world examples demonstrating how compassionate leadership and psychologically safe cultures can transform workplaces from survival mode into spaces where individuals truly thrive.

    Amy Hobson, CEO and Co-founder, The Wellbeing Collective

    Breakout session 2 - Managing behaviours and addressing inappropriate conduct 

    Focusing on managing personal behaviors and addressing inappropriate conduct in health and care settings, this session is a facilitated discussion, guiding the group through scenarios and strategies for self-reflection. This approach aims to raise awareness of how individual behaviors impact team dynamics and patient care.

    Speaker details available soon.

    Breakout session 3 - More information coming soon
  • An opportunity to network with delegates and speakers.

  • Future leaders will share valuable insights on the challenges they have faced and the strategies they used to overcome them. They will provide their perspectives on effective talent management in the NHS, discussing what a strong and sustainable talent pipeline for the next generation could look like. Together, we will explore innovative ideas to enhance support systems that foster the development and progression of new medical professionals, ensuring a robust future for healthcare.

    Speaker details available soon.

  • Learn about key reflections from the day's theme and insights shared, including the vital role of compassionate leadership in high-pressure environments. This session will provide actionable strategies for leading with empathy and aims to inspire you to incorporate compassionate practices into your everyday roles, fostering a positive impact on workplace culture and team dynamics.

    Andy Knox MBE, Medical Director, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

  • To close the day, Sam will share key takeaways, providing a powerful call to action for you to bring back to your organisation.

    Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates. 

Who should attend?  

This conference is for anyone working in healthcare with an interest in creating an inclusive workforce and gender equity. Everyone is welcome.  

Why attend? 

Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to:

  • experience a mix of keynote, breakout and panel sessions
  • gain inspiration and motivation from leaders, aspiring leaders and experts
  • gather tools and advice to help you thrive in your career and personal life
  • engage in discussions about current issues affecting the health and care sector and explore solutions for ongoing challenges
  • network and connect with like-minded professionals.
Pricing 

The price to attend is £220 + VAT.

To make the conference more accessible, we are pleased to offer a reduced rate of £110 for delegates at Band 8A or below, or equivalent. If you qualify, please complete this form to request your discount. Please note that, due to limited availability, rates will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bren Bursary

Apply for the ‘Bren Bursary’ to win a FREE ticket.

We are excited to offer delegates who work at Band 8A or below, or equivalent, the chance to nominate themselves for our ‘Bren Bursary’, which provides one free ticket to our annual conference. Applications close at 10am on Friday 14 November. 

Find out more and submit your application here.

Book your place

Registration is now open – book your place today.

This event is likely to sell out, so we encourage you to secure your place early.

If you have any trouble registering your place, please email eventbookings@nhsconfed.org.
 

Speakers and exhibitors

If you are interested in speaking at our annual conference this year or if your organisation would like to secure an exhibition stand, please contact us at women.leaders@nhsconfed.org.

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