Story Highlight
– Digital Health Rewired 2026 features 10 diverse stages.
– Keynote on CEO engagement strategies by top leaders.
– Cyber security session addresses patient-to-citizen safety transition.
– Best Practice Showcase includes Pitchfest for startups.
– Over 300 speakers confirmed, including influential health IT leaders.
Full Story
The conference programme for Digital Health Rewired 2026 has been unveiled, promising a comprehensive agenda that showcases the expertise of some of the leading figures in digital healthcare. Scheduled to take place on the 24th and 25th of March at The NEC Birmingham, this event will feature a variety of sessions across ten different stages, each highlighting the latest advancements in the healthcare sector.
Among the notable participants are NHS Chief Executive Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Clinical Information Officers, Chief Nursing Information Officers, as well as pioneering clinicians and innovators from across the field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a range of key topics designed to advance digital transformation within health services.
This year, the conference will include several newly introduced stages aimed at addressing current and pressing issues in healthcare technology. Prominent additions include the Digital Frontline stage, supported by PwC, and the Cyber and Infrastructure stage, backed by Cisco. Other notable segments include Digital Leadership, sponsored by BT, as well as the EPR (Electronic Patient Record) Implementation and Optimisation stage facilitated by Altera Digital Health. Furthermore, sessions focused on Patient Engagement and the Best Practice Showcase will also be integral parts of the event.
The first wave of details regarding stages focused on Digital Transformation, Integrated Care, Artificial Intelligence, and Data and Digital initiatives was released in December 2025. Each session during the conference will be accredited for Continuous Professional Development (CPD), ensuring that healthcare professionals can enhance their skills and knowledge while attending.
Among the highlighted sessions, a keynote address on the Digital Transformation Stage will be delivered by Raghuv Bhasin, the interim Chief Executive at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. Accompanying him will be Jonathan Brotherton, Chief Executive at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and Simon Constable, Chief Executive at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. This keynote will delve into effective strategies for collaborating with executive leadership within healthcare institutions.
Another important discussion will take place on the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Stage, featuring Chris Day, clinical lead for cyber security at NHS England. His session, titled “The 10-Year Plan: Is There a Transition from Patient to Citizen Safety?” will explore the shifting landscape of cybersecurity threats, evaluate lessons learned from recent attacks, and discuss what a transition to prioritising citizen safety could entail for the NHS’s long-term digital resilience and infrastructure.
On the EPR and Implementation Stage, local digital leaders will showcase the efforts of the East Midlands Acute Providers (EMAP) Digital Design Collaborative. This initiative allows eight acute trusts to come together with the shared aim of implementing a unified electronic patient record, which is poised to enhance data access and coordination across services.
A highlight of the Best Practice Showcase Stage will be the culmination of Pitchfest, an annual competition that showcases innovative digital health startups. Sixteen shortlisted applicants, announced earlier this week, will compete through virtual heats leading up to the live final, where participants will present their groundbreaking ideas to a live audience.
The event has confirmed over 300 speakers, comprising some of the most influential leaders in health information technology. This esteemed group includes Beverley Bryant, Chief Digital Officer at Dorset Providers; Siobhan Harrington, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; and Professor Alastair Denniston, who serves as both a professor of regulatory science and innovation and an honorary consultant ophthalmologist at the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Additional notable speakers featured in the line-up include Dr. Jessica Morley, a postdoctoral research associate from Yale University’s Digital Ethics Center; Dr. Joe Zhang, head of data science at the Artificial Intelligence Centre for Value Based Healthcare; and Dr. Alec Price-Forbes, who holds the position of National Chief Clinical Information Officer at NHS England. Also scheduled to address attendees are Helen Balsdon, National Chief Nursing Information Officer at NHS England; Rachel Hope, director of digital prevention services at NHS England; and Professor Ben Goldacre, director of the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science.
The Access Group and Optum are serving as co-headline sponsors for Digital Health Rewired 2026, with the former sponsoring the Integrated Care stage and the latter supporting the Digital Transformation stage.
This year’s conference not only emphasises key aspects of digital health but also extends complimentary attendance to representatives from the NHS, public sector, charities, research, and educational institutions. Members of techUK are eligible for a 10% discount on registration, which further facilitates participation from various sectors engaged in health technology.
As digital health continues to evolve in the UK, initiatives such as those showcased at Digital Health Rewired 2026 play an essential role in preparing the healthcare community to face the challenges ahead. By fostering collaboration and sharing innovative strategies, stakeholders can collectively enhance service delivery and patient care across the nation’s healthcare system. The event is anticipated to serve as a critical platform for networking, learning, and driving forward the agenda of digital health transformation.
Our Thoughts
The article does not provide information regarding any incident or safety lapse that occurred during the Digital Health Rewired 2026 conference; therefore, specific analysis on safety lessons, regulations breached, or preventive measures cannot be articulated. The content primarily focuses on the conference programme, speakers, and sessions without detailing any mishaps or health and safety concerns. Hence, no relevant safety recommendations can be derived from the information presented.
