On 25th September, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) officially launched the national initiative to embed Value Based Procurement across the NHS, with an initial focus on the £10 billion annual spend on Medical Technology. In moving from a ‘cheapest-first’ to a ‘patient-first’ approach to purchasing, David Lawson, Director of Medical Technology and Innovation, DHSC will outline, in his keynote speech, how this pioneering initiative will positively impact the NHS and its partnerships with industry. David will also outline how other key initiatives – Low Friction Procurement, Rules Based Purchasing, Compass, Passporting etc – provide the ecosystem of enablers and infrastructure to make VBP become a reality.

Procurement is the key enabler between the NHS and industry in securing optimum value from key supply markets in supporting NHS organisations to deliver the best outcomes for patients. For the first time ever, at a national strategy and policy level, the life sciences and commercial/procurement functions are coming together under a single national leadership team with a prime focus on ‘commercial and growth’. What does this mean for NHS Procurement and for industry? Will mission-based procurements become the priority. Will value based procurement be quickly pursued by value based healthcare. In his keynote speech, Ed James MBE, Director of Procurement, Humber and North Yorkshire Procurement Collaborative, will outline the key changes in the emerging procurement landscape.

David’s will be joined by Edward and Rob Knott for a panel discussion (and Q&A) on the current and future landscape of Value Based Procurement in the NHS

"Few innovations have captured the imagination of frontline clinicians and national policymakers as quickly as ambient scribing — intelligent, real-time transcription tools that automatically document clinical conversations, freeing valuable time for patient care. What began as a breakthrough in automated note-taking is now rapidly evolving into a foundational technology powering the next wave of AI-enabled workflow automation — from clinical coding and order communications to integrated decision support and task management. This session will explore how the NHS can commission, procure, and scale these solutions responsibly and at pace amid an increasingly crowded supplier market."

Promoting patient-centric communications by balancing AI with a human approach

As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction across healthcare, the question of return on investment (ROI) remains a critical yet often overlooked challenge. While hospitals, primary care networks, and pharmaceutical companies increasingly adopt AI-driven tools, many find it difficult to assess whether these technologies are generating meaningful clinical, operational, or financial value beyond the initial promise. This panel will offer a strategic discussion on how to define, measure, and realise ROI in healthcare AI. Moving beyond simple cost-benefit analysis, our expert speakers will explore broader indicators of success — including improved patient outcomes, workforce productivity, and long-term system sustainability, as well as exploring the real costs behind maintaining artificial intelligence. Drawing on real-world applications from hospital systems, general practice, and pharmaceutical research & development, the session will highlight evidence-based frameworks, key performance metrics, and governance strategies that support scalable, high-impact AI deployment. Our speakers include leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem — providing a comprehensive, cross-sector perspective on delivering value through AI.

Hospitals have a separate procurement team which sits within Pharmacy. This team is a dedicated team responsible for all aspects of ensuring contractual frameworks are met and saving opportunities are implemented. Panel will discuss how medicines procurement benefits from a national team approach to get the best value, use of resources and digital opportunities to provide efficiencies.

Clinical leaders and clinical staff play a significant and pivotal role in the procurement of all goods and services in healthcare, especially in the context of identifying and extracting value from key supply markets that make a difference in measurably improving patient outcomes and delivering meaningful, sustainable productivity and efficiency improvements. Andrew Stradling, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director at the London Procurement Partnership will be joined by Michelle Johnson MBE, National Clinical Executive Director at NHS Supply Chain (responsible for the sourcing and supply of over £5 billion per annum of clinical products and services for NHS hospitals) who will lead a panel discussion (followed by Q&A) on the vital role that clinicians play in procurement when engaging industry in shaping and identifying relevant innovations and solutions.

GIANT is proud to showcase an impressive selection of Europe’s leading, award winning health-tech innovation start-ups. Continuing our 12-year track record as the leading “magnet for innovation”, according to the BBC, here’s an important selection of superb businesses demonstrating valuable innovations in healthcare - innovations that support GIANT’s mission “To improve the health and well-being of people around the world, by facilitating the acceleration and adoption of tech innovation”

An Evening of Conversation and Cuisine is an exclusive networking dinner designed specifically for CEOs attending the fringe. This intimate gathering offers a relaxed setting where leaders can step away from the hustle of the day and engage in meaningful, peer-level conversations over a shared meal. Whether you're looking to spark new partnerships, exchange ideas, or simply enjoy good company, this is your space to connect with fellow executives navigating similar challenges and opportunities. Please note: this is a self-funded dinner—attendees will be responsible for covering the cost of their own meals.

This opening session grounds the conference in the realities of surgery today. A transplant recipient shares the lived experience of facing the operating theatre, joined by a consultant surgeon, a trust-wide safety lead anaesthetist, and a senior theatre practice development nurse. Together, they unpack what it means to undergo and deliver operations in 2025 covering the realities of theatre culture, multidisciplinary teamwork, and the patient outcomes that define success.

As AI becomes embedded in surgical triage, risk stratification, and treatment planning, clinicians face growing uncertainty around consent and liability. This session explores how NHS Trusts are aligning AI use with GMC, NICE, and Martha’s Law guidance — ensuring algorithmic tools support clinical judgment without undermining patient autonomy.

What will the operating theatre look like in 2030. The UK has a diverse portfolio of operating theatres, most built in accordance with national guidelines set by the NHS. With the rollout of The New Hospital Program and many operating theatres being up for renewal, now is the time to look at advances in operating theatre design and use. This expert panel will look at technological advancements that protect our patients, staff and planet taking into account:
- Advancements in operating theatre design
- Reducing energy consumption
- Infection prevention, control and antimicrobial resistance
- Occupational health of staff working in theatres

How are NHS hospitals using AI to clear backlogs and boost operating efficiency? This panel shares case studies on AI-driven scheduling, bed planning, and resource management — revealing what’s actually worked, what integrated well with EPRs and staffing systems, and how others can adopt similar strategies.

What does successful robotic surgery actually look like at scale? Learn from Trusts that have moved beyond pilot phases — building full programmes with clear utilisation goals, integrated training, and multidisciplinary buy-in. A practical blueprint for Trusts seeking sustainable adoption.

As AI systems move into the operating theatre, their impact will extend beyond technical performance. The real question is how these systems can be designed, implemented, and integrated so that they actually support the surgical workforce rather than disrupt it. This panel will explore the human factors of responsible AI in surgery: how to build trust, ensure usability, and define appropriate roles for humans and machines in high-stakes surgical contexts.

As digital surgery becomes the norm, how do we prepare the next generation? This panel showcases how UK and global institutions are embedding robotics, simulation, and AI into early surgical training — with examples of national curricula, VR tools, and new certification frameworks already in play.

“The AI in Healthcare” dinner exclusively for senior clinicians and company directors. Hosted by Professor Shafi Ahmed, this dinner is for senior consultant NHS clinicians and business directors working in AI. Limited tickets remain for this premium senior-networking dinner and are £90 per person, including meal and drinks. You can buy a ticket here:

Staff rotas, discharge delays, and patient flow are among the biggest challenges NHS hospitals face. AI may finally be the solution to this problem. This panel looks at how trusts are using AI to automate workforce planning, forecast bottlenecks, and run live operational dashboards. Featuring early adopters of tools like ‘Lizzie’ and hospital command centres, we’ll unpack what it takes to deliver measurable value from automation on the frontline.

Moving care from Hospital to community will enable patient centred care, bringing care closer to home and supporting the care in hospitals for those who need it most. How do we engage the pharmacy workforce and what digital advances will enable seamless patient care?
With opportunities to focus on prevention and changes in regulation, the pharmacy team are an ideal clinical resource to provide clinical care and improve patient outcomes.

Documentation is the silent productivity killer in clinical care and AI scribes might be the way out. This panel explores the emerging world of digital assistants, speech-to-text tools, and AI-driven clinical notetaking. Speakers will discuss early NHS trials, the challenges of clinical accuracy, and the potential for scribes to reduce burnout while preserving safety. How close are we to an AI that doctors trust to write for them?

The NHS is redesigning what it means to be a hospital - not just modernising what we already have. But what will tomorrow's hospitals actually like, and who is leading the change? Join us in this pannel to explore how new digital infrastructure, smart systems and AI are being embedded from the ground up.
The problem is clear: Old NHS infrastructure can't keep up with modern care.
The solution?: Design hospitals that can evolve - with embedded data, flexibility and climate resiliance.
This panel brings together leaders building the next generation of the NHS.

Entering the Healthtech sector as a clinician can be challenging— marked by limited exposure during medical training, unclear entry routes, and the challenge of developing technical competencies alongside clinical responsibilities. Despite growing interest, many medical professionals remain uncertain about how to take their first steps into this evolving space. This panel will provide clear, practical insights into how clinicians can engage with healthtech across all stages of their career. From independent projects and collaborative research to entrepreneurial ventures and innovation leadership, our speakers will outline actionable strategies, essential skill sets, and ways to build a professional profile that aligns with digital transformation in healthcare. We will also explore the practical application of these strategies, helping attendees translate inspiration into tangible next steps. With representation from early-career doctors, and senior opportunities in health innovation are accessible, whether you are just starting out as a medical student or looking to pivot later in your career. The panel will also discuss a more fundamental question: why are core digital knowledge and skills absent from the core undergraduate curriculum, and is it now time for specialist training programmes and certification of Digital Health & Clinical AI Consultants? Opportunities to ask questions will be available throughout the panel discussion.

The NHS is on a bold journey towards becoming a system of Integrated Health Organisations (IHOs) – designed to break down silos, connect services, and deliver seamless care across communities. But what does this transformation really mean for patients, clinicians, and Trusts? This panel brings together national leaders and innovators already taking steps towards integration. We’ll explore the five-year vision, showcase practical examples from across the country, and debate the real-world challenges – from culture and governance to data and digital. Join us to hear how IHOs could reshape the NHS, and what it will take to get there.

GIANT is proud to showcase an impressive selection of Europe’s leading, award winning health-tech innovation start-ups. Continuing our 10-year track record as the leading “magnet for innovation”, according to the BBC, here’s an important selection of superb businesses demonstrating valuable innovations in healthcare - innovations that support GIANT’s mission “To improve the health and well-being of people around the world, by facilitating the acceleration and adoption of tech innovation”

“The AI in Healthcare” dinner exclusively for senior clinicians and company directors. Hosted by Professor Shafi Ahmed, this dinner is for senior consultant NHS clinicians and business directors working in AI. Limited tickets remain for this premium senior-networking dinner and are £90 per person, including meal and drinks. You can buy a ticket here: