Last Updated on 20/10/2023 by Samantha Lewis
After months of planning, healthcare professionals from all over England gathered at the picturesque Tower Hotel in London to listen to industry leaders set out their plans for the sector’s future in a series of presentations and Q&A panels.
After a quick networking breakfast, the guests took their seats for an introductory speech from the BHTA Chief Executive, David Stockdale, setting out the agenda for the day.
The day’s first presentation was from Preeya Bailie, Director of Procurement, Transformation, and Commercial Delivery for NHS England.
Preeya’s presentation was titled “NHSE Commercial and Sustainability” and explained how NHS Procurement would meet new sustainability targets, improve cost value and make the process of receiving products more straightforward and more consistent for end users.
Next up, we had presentations from Andrew New & Andy Windsor, both from NHS Supply Chain.
Andrew New is the Chief Executive of NHS Supply Chain & Andy Windsor is the Commercial Director of NHS Supply Chain.
Their presentation was “Embracing Todays Challenges – Delivering Future Value” and in it they set out how NHS Supply Chain would respond to changes in strategy within the NHS, and how they would seek to improve the relationships between the NHS and suppliers.
A Q&A panel followed these presentations, giving the audience a chance to have their thoughts heard and their questions answered.
After a networking lunch, everyone reconvened for the second half of the conference.
The afternoon’s first speaker was Francis Philipa, the Strategy Lead for Foundations UK who delivered a fascinating keynote speech entitled “How Green Is Your Programme?” in which he looked at how Foundations UK plans to help everyone to be more environmentally minded, from guidance for domestic users to advice for businesses.
The penultimate speaker of the day was the newly appointed Department of Health and Social Care MedTech Directorate Director, David Lawson.
An enthusiastic audience listened to David explaining the new Med Tech Strategy, in one if his first public speaking appointments since taking up his new role.
Kevin Hodges from the BHTA delivered the final keynote presentation of the day, looking back at his wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare, to give the attendees his “Industry Insights.”
After a second Q&A panel featuring the afternoon’s speakers, it was time for David Stockdale to close the conference and the guests began to make their way home.
Commenting after the conference had finished, David said:
“I have received nothing but positive comments about the conference and the BHTA is proud to have given our members the opportunity to hear, and be heard, from leaders at the heart of the Healthcare sector. We look forward to hosting another conference soon!”
For more photos of the day, you can see them all here