Member forums

Convening leaders to develop solutions to shared challenges.
Delegates at a workshop

Our member forums meet regularly to help members think through and address challenging and complex issues. Open exclusively to members, these forums provide the opportunity to connect with and learn from leaders across the system.

People connected by lines

Provider Collaboration Forum

Bringing together people working across different types of NHS organisation to share learning, exchange ideas and shape policy development.
Aerial view of residential area with houses and cars

Place Forum

Supporting the development of place-based integrated care.

  • Patient safety, risk and clinical outcomes are important factors that need to be included in policymaking decisions. This group enables members with clinical expertise to influence how we engage with government and national policymakers, as well as learn from each other. 

    Benefits:

    • Ensure the clinical voice is included in decision-making.
    • Advocate on behalf of clinical leaders.
    • Learn from and collaborate with peers.
    • Tap into wider improvement opportunities through this group.
    • Amplify diverse clinical leaders’ voices, experiences and recommendations in improvement and shaping outcomes.

    This group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 5–6PM.

  • Chatham House advisory group for acute chief executives to form collective action and recommendations on what matters to you, turning conversation to action. 

    Benefits:

    • A confidential space to collaborate and work collectively on priority areas.
    • Work alongside peers to discuss, share and understand challenges, successes and future planning.
    • Connect acute vision to wider system context and opportunities to drive policy change.

  • Strong digital leadership is the foundation of the shift from analogue to digital. As the pace of change accelerates with the coming ten-year health plan, it’s more important than ever to foster a connected collaborative conversation around digital and innovation across the health service.

    The Digital and Innovation Leaders’ Forum brings together leaders from across the NHS to: 

    • Shape national policy through collective insight and influence 
    • Share best practice and learn from peers 
    • Stay informed on the latest developments, challenges and opportunities 
    • Build connections across organisations.

    The inaugural meeting is on 7 July, 4-5pm.

    Join the forum to benefit from:

    • Quarterly member meetings – uniting digital and innovation leaders to discuss thematic issues and share case studies 
    • Topic-specific sessions – deep-dive sessions looking at specific policy topics 
    • Reactive peer network sessions – held in response to external developments, these sessions facilitate open discussion, peer learning and joint problem solving. 

    Who can join?

    • Any NHS Conferation member involved in digital or innovation in acute hospitals, community, mental health and primary care organisations or integrated care systems.

    To join please email: beth.wheatland@nhsconfed.org or complete the sign up form.  

  • The NHS Confederation’s ICS Network and The Queen’s Nursing Institute have developed a joint initiative offering ICB Chief Nurses the opportunity to join a network supporting nurse leadership within integrated care systems (ICSs). 

    Recognising that these roles require a new type of support, given that systems operate differently from previous NHS organisations, the partnership will work with ICB Chief Nurses to achieve the objectives of strong system leadership, integrating care and tackling inequalities in health. 

    Chaired by Lou Patten, NHS Confederation strategic advisor and fellow of the QNI, the ICB Chief Nurses Network aims to offer a confidential, safe space to engage with peers through the development journey of collective leadership, mutual accountability, local and national political management and fostering innovation and improvement, while operating within the principles of subsidiarity. 

    Apply to join

  • A space for integrated care boards (ICBs) chief people officers (CPO) to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop solutions.

    For further information and how to join take a look at the NHS Employers website. 

  • An independent space for ICB directors of primary care to come together to exchange ideas and share experiences, hosted by our Primary Care and ICS Networks.

    Contact primarycare@nhsconfed.org

  • Our national forum for ICB mental health partner members is focused on supporting members to effectively drive the mental health agenda within their allocated systems. 

    The forum is a safe space built around peer-learning, with further input from guest speakers on how to understand the workings of ICBs/ICSs.

    We will also support members to build strong relationships, advance parity of esteem, and keep up to date with national policies and funding opportunities.

    The forum is jointly hosted by the network and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and is co-chaired by Dr Lade Smith CBE, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Ifti Majid, chair of the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network.

    For more information please contact mhn@nhsconfed.org.

  • This quarterly forum is for all non-executive directors within integrated care boards. To find out more contact Helen Wolstenholme. 

  • A dedicated network for integrated care board primary care partners. 

    Contact primarycare@nhsconfed.org

  • An independent space for integrated care partnership chairs to exchange ideas, develop solutions and shape policy development.

    To join, please email Ian Perrin

  • An independent space for ICS chairs to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop solutions.

    To join, please email Sarah Walter

  • The first dedicated network for integrated care system communications and engagement leaders.

    To join, please contact Sarah Miller.

  • An independent space for ICS chief executive officers to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop solutions.

    To join, please email Sarah Walter

  • An independent space for ICS mental health programme directors and leads to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop solutions.

    To join, please email Chris Truscott

  • A quarterly forum for systems to collaborate with national and local public health teams, run jointly by the NHS Confederation, the Local Government Association, and the Association of Directors of Public Health. For more information contact office.icsnetwork@nhsconfed.org

  • An independent space for ICS strategy directors to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop solutions.

    To join, please email Ian Perrin.

  • This group facilitates learning, sharing and opportunities around international NHS activity and ambitions. It also brings the NHS voice to relevant international planning and policy; and to identify and address key barriers to international engagement.

    Find out more about the group. To join, please email us.

  • The Lay Members Network is the national membership network for CCG governing body lay members. It offers access to and support from lay members across the country. The forum provides a unique opportunity for CCG lay members to share the experiences and challenges of their crucial role in CCG governing bodies and local best practice approaches in a safe space. It also gives lay members a national voice to influence relevant policy development as well as supporting the professional development of lay members.

    To join, please email us

  • A space for mental health housing service providers and others interested in this area to strengthen their independent, collective voice in the national policy debate.

    To join, please email our Mental Health Network.

  • Aimed at those working in clinical commissioning groups with an interest in mental health, our Mental Health Commissioners Network explores the commissioning of adult and children and young people’s mental health, including urgent and emergency care. The network also covers the commissioning of services for people with learning disabilities and autism. 

    To join, please email our Mental Health Network.

  • A place for discussion, sharing of experience and practice, peer support and engaging with national leaders and policy makers for chairs of NHS Mental Health Trusts.

    To join, please email our Mental Health Network.

  • A place for discussion, sharing of experience and practice, peer support and a stronger and clearer voice for mental health medical executive level leaders.

    To join, please email our Mental Health Network.

  • A forum for lead ambulance commissioners, but also covers the commissioning of NHS 111 and patient transport services. The NACN offers a national voice, influencing upwards (to policymakers) and laterally (to other urgent and emergency care stakeholders); peer-to-peer support for those working in what can be seen as a rather niche area of commissioning; a safe space for CCG ambulance commissioners to talk openly about issues and concerns; and the opportunity to share good practice (and safely share less successful initiatives) to develop consistently better outcomes for patients.

    To join, please email us

  • This forum provides the opportunity for senior leaders to influence national policy, provide input to decision-making as well as learn from their peers. It enables priority areas and concerns for members to be escalated and used to advocate the right changes needed. 

    Benefits:

    • Ensure the operational management voice is included in decision-making.
    • Advocate on behalf of operational leaders and shape policy decisions based on what is really happening.
    • Learn from and collaborate with peers to share learning and challenges.
    • Connect to wider improvement opportunities through this group.

    To join, please email Sonia Nosheen.

  • This forum provides a direct connection with civil servants from the No. 10 Delivery Unit on current health policy matters and provides members with the opportunity to provide feedback, insight and suggestions on a wide range of topics. 

    Benefits:

    • Shape national health policy.
    • Connect with national decision-makers to ensure the voice of acute members is acted on.
    • Collaborate with peers and share experiences and concerns.

  • This forum meets quarterly and provides primary care network managers with the opportunity to discuss relevant issues, network with peers and share learning and best practice.

    To join, please email primarycare@nhsconfed.org

  • Our Place Forum supports the development of place-based integrated care.

    Find out more.

  • Our System Productivity Forum is open to members across the NHS Confederation with an interest in productivity to explore shared challenges, develop solutions and influence national policy-making.

    To find out more or to join the forum, email Skeena Williamson

Interested in joining?

Become a member Arrow pointing right

Other member benefits

Teal, yellow and red ovals over a navy blue background.

Networks & countries

We meet the specific needs of different parts of our membership across the UK and Europe through our various networks and support programmes.