The NHS Workforce Event: Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing 2027
Supporters Include
Overview
The NHS is facing a sustained workforce challenge, with demand for services continuing to grow while organisations face significant pressures to recruit and retain the staff they need. If further action is not taken, it could face a shortfall of between 260,000 and 360,000 staff by 2036/37, and so staff wellbeing remains a significant concern. With these pressures, the NHS is being asked to transform how care is delivered, including shifting services closer to communities and making greater use of technology and AI to increase workforce capacity.
- Staff who have felt unwell due to work related stress increased by one percentage point from 2024 and has decreased by 4.72 per cent since 2021(NHS Employers, 2025)
- Nearly one in three NHS employees (31.47%) reported feeling burnt out because of their work (NHS Employers, 2025)
- Over 500,000 NHS staff are being given access to new artificial intelligence (AI) tools that could free up an average of 2 days every month from admin duties (NHS England, 2026)
Agenda
Online Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: The Future NHS Workforce: Delivering a Sustainable Workforce Strategy
- Examining the scale of current and future NHS workforce pressures and the factors driving demand for staff over the coming decade
- Exploring the Government’s workforce priorities under the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and 10 Year Health Plan, including the ambition to train and reform the workforce
- Considering how changing models of care and new technology of working will reshape the skills and workforce capacity required across the NHS
- Assessing how NHS organisations can balance recruitment and retention to build a sustainable workforce for the future
Danny Mortimer, Director General, People, Department of Health and Social Care (invited)
Keynote: Shifting NHS Care into the Community
- Examining how the Government’s shift from hospital to community-based care will change the NHS workforce
- Exploring the implications of neighbourhood health services, integrated care and greater investment in prevention and out-of-hospital care for the NHS workforce
- Considering how NHS organisations can develop the community nursing care and workforce needed to support this transition
- Identifying the roles and new ways of working required to move workforce capacity closer to where patients live and reduce pressure on acute services
Amanda Doyle, National Director, Primary Care and Community Services, NHS England (invited)
Keynote: Recruiting the NHS Workforce: Domestic Supply and International Recruitment
- Examining the recruitment pressures facing NHS organisations and the continued shortages across key professions and hard-to-fill roles.
- Exploring how apprenticeships and training can strengthen the domestic workforce pipeline.
- Considering the changing role of international recruitment, including reducing long-term reliance on overseas recruitment while retaining and supporting internationally recruited staff already working in the NHS.
- Assessing how NHS organisations can develop a sustainable approach to recruitment in areas experiencing the greatest workforce pressures
Caroline Waterfield, Director of Workforce Supply and Employment Practice, NHS Employers (invited)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking: Workforce Challenges and Solutions
Connect with delegates to share experiences, discuss the workforce challenges facing your organisation and exchange approaches to recruitment, retention and staff wellbeing.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Retention Strategies for NHS Organisations
- Investigating the factors driving NHS staff to leave and the impact of losing experienced employees
- Exploring how career development and culture can support longer NHS careers
- Considering how NHS organisations can improve staff experience and create working environments where people want to remain
- Sharing retention measures that can reduce avoidable turnover and support the NHS’s wider workforce ambitions
Steve McManus, Interim CEO, NHS College of Leadership and Management (invited)
Case Study: Tackling Burnout and Stress within the NHS
- Examining the impact of workload, stress and burnout on NHS staff wellbeing
- Showing how NHS organisations are using leadership and early intervention to support staff wellbeing
- Exploring how flexible working and better workload management can help reduce sickness absence and improve staff experience
- Sharing lessons from implementing a wellbeing strategy that supports staff to remain healthy, engaged and at work
Caroline Julien, Chief People Officer, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (invited)
Case Study: Assessing the Impact of AI on the NHS Workforce
- Assessing how AI is being introduced across the NHS to reduce administrative workloads and increase capacity
- Outlining the experience of implementing AI tools such as ambient clinical documentation and administrative automation in frontline services
- Examining how AI will change roles and training requirements and ensuring technology supports rather than adds to staff workload
- Considering the conditions needed to implement AI effectively and turn time savings into better experiences for staff and patients
Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive Officer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Jane Brightman
Director for Workforce Strategy
Skills for Care
Sarah Blackmore
Executive Director, Strategy, Policy and Engagement
Social Work England
Emily Pattinson
Lead Consultant
Inclusive Employers
Isaac Samuel OBE
Co-Production Advisor
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
Testimonials
Incredibly interesting and thought-provoking with the content perfectly reflecting the challenging times were are navigating. There was lots to take away for me to improve recruitment and retention in our procurement service.
The event covered a wide range of topics and the speakers were knowledgeable and insightful.
An informative and insightful event. Interesting case studies prompted some good Q&A.
It was great to hear about the work and research being undertaken by numerous individuals across the UK to improve the recruitment and retention of Healthcare Staff
Why You Should Attend
✓ Hear from sector leaders and policymakers about the latest initiatives for NHS workforce sustainability plans
✓ Gain practical strategies for recruitment, retention, training, and leadership to build a resilient workforce
✓ Network with peers, experts, and organisations to share best practice and discuss the future of the NHS
✓ Gain 4 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend
| Job Title | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Chief People Officer | NHS England |
| Director of Workforce | NHS Employers |
| Workforce Planning Lead | Integrated Care Boards |
| Recruitment Director | NHS Trusts |
| Staff Wellbeing Lead | NHS Providers |
| Workforce Policy Manager | Department of Health and Social Care |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
