Join IHPN & CQC at our seventh Patient Safety conference revolve around the theme of “Safety and Quality First: Leading Care Through Change”.
This years event focuses on the regulatory and technological developments shaping how we deliver, measure and continuously improve care. With contributions from experts and sector leaders, we will explore the latest insights, research, and practical approaches to keep advancing patient safety across the independent sector.
Agenda
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Registration, coffee and networking |
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Chair’s welcome Dr Howard Freeman, Clinical Director, IHPN |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | A personal view: ‘Mind the Gap’ Robbie Burns, National Patient Representative, NHSBT & NHSE |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Keynote Address: CQC and the regulatory approach in 2026 Dr Toli Onon, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, CQC |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | Keynote Address: Patient Safety in the age of AI Professor Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner for England |
| 11:20 – 11:40 | Keynote Address: Progress and progression Professor Aidan Fowler, National Director of Patient Safety, NHS England (NHSE), Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Care |
| 11:40 – 12:00 | AI and complaints – a level playing field? Andrew Latham, Partner, Capsticks Solicitors |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch and networking |
| 13:00 – 13:10 | Introduction to the afternoon sessions Dawn Hodgkins, Director of Regulation, IHPN |
| 13:10 – 13:30 | CQC Assessment Framework Update Mariya Stamenova, Policy Manager, CQC Natalie Bostock, Policy Manager, CQC |
| 13:30 – 13:40 | Move to breakout sessions |
| 13:40 – 14:30 | Breakout sessions: 1. Innovating safely – theory into practice This session will look at how we adopt AI and digital tools without creating new risks, and patient safety considerations when using Ambient Voice Technology Chair: Charlotte Taphouse, Chief Clinical Information Officer, HCRG Speakers: Neil Alexander, Senior Safety Investigator, Health Services Safety Investigations Body Moritz Flockenhaus, Regulatory Policy Manager, CQC Scott Hislop, Deputy Director of Investigations, Health Services Safety Investigations Body Claire Land, Policy Manager, CQC 2. Patient Safety Incident Response Framework – the ‘how to’ This session will look at how we move from plans to practicising how we improve care. Chair: Ben Stanfield-Davies, Director of Clinical Quality/Chief Nursing Officer, InHealth Group Speakers: Steve Dawson, Patient Safety Investigation Specialist, Morgan Human Systems Ltd Sharon Stewart, Director of Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement, Circle Health Group 3. Patient recalls – “Working as a healthcare system” on recalls This session will look at how we respond to harm in ways that build trust, not conflict. Chair: Adam Busby, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer, Circle Health Group Speakers: Dr Cathy Cale, Group Medical Director, Spire Healthcare Liz Monaghan, Corporate Concerns Officer, Spire Healthcare Paul Whiteing, Chief Executive, AvMA |
| 14:30 – 14:50 | Refreshment break |
| 14:50 – 15:40 | Breakout sessions All three breakout sessions will be run to give members the opportunity to attend two sessions at the event |
| 15:40 – 15:50 | Return to main room |
| 15:50 – 16:00 | Summary and close Dr Howard Freeman, Clinical Director, IHPN |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Networking & refreshments |
Keynote speakers
Dr Toli Onon
Chief Inspector of Hospitals, CQC
Professor Henrietta Hughes
Patient Safety Commissioner for England
Professor Aidan Fowler
National Director of Patient Safety, NHS England (NHSE), Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Care
Confirmed speakers
Dr Howard Freeman, Clinical Director, IHPN
Dawn Hodgkins, Director of Regulation, IHPN
Robbie Burns, National Patient Representative, NHSBT & NHSE
Andrew Latham, Partner, Capsticks Solicitors
Mariya Stamenova, Policy Manager, CQC
Natalie Bostock, Policy Manager, CQC
Charlotte Taphouse, Chief Clinical Information Officer, HCRG
Neil Alexander, Senior Safety Investigator, Health Services Safety Investigations Body
Moritz Flockenhaus, Regulatory Policy Manager, CQC
Scott Hislop, Deputy Director of Investigations, Health Services Safety Investigations Body
Claire Land, Policy Manager, CQC
Ben Stanfield-Davies, Director of Clinical Quality/Chief Nursing Officer, InHealth Group
Steve Dawson, Patient Safety Investigation Specialist, Morgan Human Systems Ltd
Sharon Stewart, Director of Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement, Circle Health Group
Adam Busby, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer, Circle Health Group
Dr Cathy Cale, Group Medical Director, Spire Healthcare
Liz Monaghan, Corporate Concerns Officer, Spire Healthcare
Paul Whiteing, Chief Executive, AvMA
Partners and exhibitors
Main sponsor:
Leading legal advisers to the private healthcare sector
Capsticks live and breathe healthcare every day. Our specialist private healthcare lawyers guide senior leaders and policy makers, and our clients come to us for a huge range of reasons. Maybe you’re expanding and you’ve decided it’s time to call in some specialists. Maybe you’re buying a new asset and want an industry expert’s advice. Or perhaps you’re based outside the UK, and you need more local specialist knowledge.Our clients come back to us time and time again because they see us as the go-to law firm in this sector.
We work with organisations of all sizes, from single‑site providers to national and international healthcare groups. Combining exceptional legal expertise with a practical understanding of healthcare delivery, we advise on regulation, governance, digital healthcare, NHS interaction, and transactional work. Our approach places patient safety, quality, and regulatory compliance at the centre of commercial decision‑making, helping organisations operate safely, sustainably and with confidence.
Talk to us today to find out how we can support your organisation www.capsticks.com
Exhibitors:
Credentially was built to solve one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: ensuring the right professionals are credentialled, compliant, and ready to work – without the delays that put patients and organisations at risk. Today, Credentially powers end-to-end practising privilege management, robust CQC-ready compliance, and fast, auditable recruitment workflows – giving healthcare organisations the confidence to hire and govern with certainty. Proud partner of IHPN and its members.