Programme

Our conference is dedicated to empowering nurses with a significant voice in the transformation of digital healthcare. Emphasising transformative leadership, entrepreneurship, and clinical/tech partnerships, we aim to elevate nurses as key decision-makers who influence the direction of healthcare. Discussions will highlight the importance of devising and leading digital strategies, nurturing leadership qualities, and fostering innovation through partnerships between clinical staff and technology providers.

This programme could be subject to change

09:00 – 09:10

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Steve Ford, editor, Nursing Times

Professor Natasha Phillips, founder, Future Nurse

09:10 – 09:40

Keynote Address

09:40 – 10:30

Panel Discussion 1

Strengthening Digital Nursing Leadership: Networks, Careers and Influence

As digital transformation accelerates, the role of digital nursing leaders has never been more critical. Yet, many find themselves navigating their roles in isolation, without clear career pathways or structured peer support. This session is designed to empower and connect senior nurses who are leading the charge in digital health.

Join us to explore:

Building a Strong Professional Network – learn how cross-regional collaboration through groups like the Five Nations Nursing Informatics Group can help digital nursing leaders share best practice, foster innovation and provide much-needed peer support
Navigating Career Progression in Digital Nursing – address the ‘career loneliness’ that CNIOs and digital nurses often experience. Gain insights into structured career pathways and strategies for professional growth in a field that is still evolving
Increasing Leadership Influence – understand how to elevate the voice of digital nursing at decision-making tables, ensuring nursing informatics expertise shapes policy, strategy and patient care improvements

Moderator:

Natasha Philips, CEO , Future Nurse

Speakers:

Fran Beadle, CNIO , Digital Health and Care Wales

10:30 - 12:50

DIGITAL LEADERSHIP

Break
10:30 – 11:00

Panel Discussion 2 – Reaching a Consensus on Digital Nursing Education
11:00 – 11:30

As digital transformation reshapes healthcare, nursing education must evolve alongside it – not as an added burden, but as an enabler of safer, more efficient and more empowered practice . Yet, 49% of NHS staff find technology stressful , highlighting the urgent need for standardised, accessible and practical digital training.

This session will kickstart a collaborative effort to shape the future of digital nursing education. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the project through interactive roundtables, sharing their insights and helping define the next steps in achieving a nationally recognised framework for digital nursing training.

Moderator:

Matthew Wynn, Senior Lecturer in Nursing , Liverpool John Moore's University

Speakers:

Closed
11:30 – 12:05

Panel Discussion 3 - From Data Collection to Digital Transformation: Making Data Work for Nurses
12:05 – 12:50

The shift from data collection to data utilisation is redefining digital nursing. As electronic patient records (EPRs) and digital systems evolve, the challenge isn’t just about capturing more data – it’s about ensuring that nurses can use it meaningfully to improve patient care, enhance decision-making and increase efficiency.

This session explores how we can move beyond basic data entry and leverage nursing data for real impact. Key discussion points include:

Using Nursing Data to Improve Patient Outcomes – how structured data can drive measurable improvements in infection control, pressure ulcer prevention, falls reduction and more
Beyond System Installation: Achieving True Digital Transformation – shifting the focus from implementation to impact, ensuring that data works for nurses and patients
Bridging the Gap Between Raw Data, Clinical Context and Frontline Staff – translating numbers into actionable insights that empower nurses, enhance workflows and improve patient safety

Moderator:

Speakers:

William Monaghan , Executive Chief Digital Information Officer, University Hospitals of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire

DIGITAL EXCHANGE

Case study 1 - Improving patient experience through digital health and remote monitoring
10:35 – 11:00

How can digital healthcare improve patient experience while keeping care personal? This session explores:

Best practice in remote monitoring – ensuring digital health tools support, not replace, nursing care
Expanding digital accessibility for outpatients – designing patient-friendly digital tools
Ensuring patient-centred design – how to integrate patient feedback into digital healthcare innovations

Case Study 2 - Reality of AI and Robotics in Patient Care
11:00 – 11:30

AI and robotics are often overhyped, but what is truly happening in patient care today? This session moves beyond AI buzzwords to explore real-world applications.

Case Study 3 - Digital Nursing Leadership in Action
11:30 – 12:00

Case study and best practice on cybersecurity and digital continuity planning

This session will feature a real-world example on how a leader responded to a major EPR system failure. The speaker will share lessons learned on cybersecurity and digital continuity planning.

Closed
12:00 – 12:45

DIGITALK

Closed
10:30 – 11:00

Closed
11:00 – 11:30

Workshops/roundtables: From Business Case to Procurement: Overcoming NHS Digital Adoption Challenges
11:35– 12:30

Many NHS trusts struggle to procure AI and digital tools, even after successful pilots. This session will explore how to structure a strong business case and navigate NHS procurement processes to ensure digital transformation efforts translate into real-world adoption.

Reaching a Consensus on Digital Nursing Education

Roundtable discussions as part of a joint project by Nursing Times and Matthew Wynn on building a consensus on digital nursing education.

Moderator:

Matthew Wynn, Senior Lecturer in Nursing , Liverpool John Moore's University

Clinical versus Operational Leadership in Digital Nursing
Digital nursing leaders must balance clinical expertise with operational leadership. This session will discuss:

Defining leadership roles – standardising job descriptions and ensuring digital nurses sit in the right teams
Clinical versus operational leadership – understanding how clinical digital leaders shape patient care while operational leaders manage systems and implementation
Workforce transformation – how digital health is shaping nursing careers and what leaders must do to prepare

Moderator:

Fran Beadle, CNIO , Digital Health and Care Wales

12:45 – 13:30

Networking Lunch

13:30 – 14:15

Panel Discussion 4 - Measuring the ROI of Digital Transformation: Proving Impact and Value

How can we prove that digital transformation delivers measurable benefits for patients, clinicians and the healthcare system?

This session will explore strategies for defining, tracking and proving the value of digital transformation initiatives in nursing and healthcare. Key topics include:

Scalability and Sustainability – how to measure what truly works long-term and ensure digital solutions deliver continuous improvement
Developing a Framework for Success – establishing key metrics to track patient experience, safety improvements, efficiency gains and cost savings

Closed
14:15 – 14:45

Panel Discussion 5 - Governance, Regulation and Safety in AI & Robotics: Navigating the Future of Healthcare Technology
14:45 – 15:30

As AI and robotics revolutionise healthcare, the regulatory landscape struggles to keep pace. AI-driven clinical decision-making holds great promise – but also brings risks, ethical dilemmas and safety concerns . How can healthcare organisations ensure compliance, governance and patient safety while embracing innovation ?

This session explores the critical regulatory frameworks shaping AI and robotics in the NHS, including:

Navigating the Regulatory Grey Area – where does AI fit within health tech and medical device standards? How do CQC guidelines, NHS software standards (DB160 & DB190) and AI maturity models influence compliance?
AI-Driven Clinical Decision-Making: Risks and Challenges – addressing concerns around AI ‘hallucinations’, bias, transparency and accountability in patient care
The NHS Digital Strategy for AI Adoption – understanding the national approach to AI governance and how healthcare leaders can align with best practices for safe, effective and ethical AI deployment

Closed
15:30 – 16:00

Closing Panel Discussion : Ethics and Workforce Impact in Digital Nursing: AI, Automation and Professional Identity
16:05 – 16:50

As AI and automation redefine healthcare, nursing must evolve without losing its core values of care, compassion and professional identity . How do we ensure that digital transformation empowers nurses rather than replaces them ?

This session, examining insights from Rozzano Locsin – whose Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing theory demonstrates how technology and caring can coexist – explores the ethical and workforce challenges of AI in nursing. Key discussion points include:

The Ethics of AI in Nursing – how digital transformation challenges traditional nursing values, patient dignity and the human connection in care
Workforce Shifts and Career Evolution – where should AI assist and automate tasks and where must human care remain essential ?
Defining Digital Nursing Roles – should the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) establish formal CNIO and digital leadership career pathways ?
Ensuring Fair Career Transitions – the need for structured CPD, leadership development and ethical workforce support to help nurses navigate digital transformation

Case study 4
13:15 – 13:45

Case study 5
13:45 – 14:15

Closed
14:15 – 14:45

Closed
14:45 – 15:35

Case study 6
15:35 – 16:00

Closed
13:30 – 14:20

Workshops
14:20 – 15:15

Interactive sessions continue
14:45 – 15:30

Closed
15:30 – 16:00

16:50

Closing remarks

17:00

Closing

17:30 – 18:15

Networking Drinks Reception?