Infection Prevention & Resilience 2026
Infection prevention and control is a cornerstone of safe, high-quality healthcare—and a strategic priority across UK health systems. From hospitals and clinics to care homes and community services, effective IPC protects patients, staff, and the public while reducing avoidable harm and system strain.
As healthcare-associated infections continue to challenge service delivery, workforce resilience, and patient safety, infection control has become a central pillar of national health planning. The NHS 10-Year Plan places patient safety at the heart of its vision for a modern, resilient health system – Infection prevention policy is a foundational element of safe, effective care—especially in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
As healthcare settings face evolving threats, workforce pressures, and rising expectations for safety, Infection prevention is no longer just a clinical protocol—it’s a system-wide imperative. This conference offers a platform to shape policy, share best practice, and drive system-wide improvements in infection control—ensuring safer, more resilient care for all.
As part of the UK Infection Prevention & Resilience Series, outcomes from this event will be actively shared across all four nations—ensuring that Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland benefit from each other’s insights, innovations, and best practices.
Interested in the Event?
Event Speakers.
Event Schedule.
08.00 – 09.30 – Breakfast, registration and networking
09.30 – 09.40 – Chair’s welcome
Karen Wares, Research & Development Committee Member, Infection Prevention Society
09.40 – 09.55 – The UK government’s response to antimicrobial resistance
Tom Pilcher, Head of International AMR Policy, Department of Health & Social Care (Invited)
09.55 – 10.10 – Preventing Surgical Site Infections in the NHS
Pauline Harrington, National SSI Surveillance Manager, UK Health Security Agency
10.10 – 10:25 – Headline Sponsor
10:25 – 10.40 – Q&A Panel Debate
10.40 – 11.20 – Refreshments and Networking
11:20 – 11.35 – Using Digital Tools for Infection Surveillance
Rachael Skates, Infection Prevention and Control Lead, South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust
11.35 – 11.50 – NHS Supply Chain: Collaboration to maintain infection prevention control resilience
Tracey Cammish, Head of Clinical Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, NHS Supply Chain
Tom Brailsford, Head of Resilience, NHS supply Chain
11.50 – 12.05 – Building Infection Prevention into Hospital Design
Dr. Manjula Meda, Chair, The Healthcare Infection Society
12:05 – 12.20 – Q&A panel Debate
12.20 – 12.30 – Movement Break
12.30 – 12.50 – Industry Case Study 1
12.50 – 13.10 – Industry Case Study 2
13.10 – 13.30 – Industry Case Study 3
13:30 – 14:30 – Lunch in the Network Surgery
14.30 – 14.45 – Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Dr Anna Goodman, Vice President, British Infection Association (BIA) (Invited)
14.45 – 14.55 – The development and treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases
Dr James Price, Specialty Research Co-Lead for Infection, National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR)
14.55 – 15.10 – Health equity and prevention
Dr Giovanni Satta, Director of Infection Prevention and Control, University College Hospitals London NHS Foundation Trust
15:10 – 15.25 – Q&A Panel Debate
15.25 – 15:30 – Conference Close
Event Sponsors.
Exhibitors
