9.50 - 10.00
Welcome from our Chairperson
Rajesh Sivaprakasam,
Lead for Robotic Renal Failure Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust
10:00 - 10:45
Present State: Undergoing and Performing Operations in 2025
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.
Rajesh Sivaprakasam,
Lead for Robotic Renal Failure Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust
Deborah Duval
Managing Editor of Kidney Care & Multiple Transplant Recipient
Annie Hunningher
Consultant Anaesthetist & Group Safety Lead, Barts Health NHS Trust
Teopista Ssemakula
Senior Practice Development Nurse for Operating Theatres, Barts Health NHS Trust
10:45 - 11:00
AI in Surgical Decision-Making: Legal and Ethical Blueprints
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.
11:00 - 11:45
The Operating Theatre of the Future – A panel discussion
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
Dr Jonny Groome (Chair)
Paediatric anaesthetic consultant (Barts Health NHS
Trust), Associate Medical Lead for Sustainability (Nuffield Health) and Honorary
Associate Professor in Sustainability (UCL).
Dr Anne Symons
Healthcare architect and Senior Research Fellow in Healthcare
Design (The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL).
Professor Ian Eames
Professor of Fluid Mechanics (UCL)
Olu Alaka
Director of PFI Estates, Facilities and Contract (University College London Hospital).
Fiona Daly
Director of Estate Sustainability and Workforce, and the National
Deputy Director of Estates for NHS England. Honorary Professor (UCL)
11:45 - 12:00
Scaling Surgical Throughput with AI: Lessons from the NHS Frontline
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.
Olga Krivchenko
CEO & Co-Founder, Qualium Systems
12:00 - 12:45
Robotics at Scale: Delivering Surgical Transformation Across the NHS
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.
CHAIR:
Mr Asif Chaudry
Robotic Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer Surgeon at Royal Marsden NHS Trust & Founder of UGIRA (Upper GI International Robotics Association)
Professor Manish Chand
Robotic and Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgeon and Professor of Surgery at University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
Mr Asit Arora
Robotic Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas NHS Trust & Clinical Lecturer at King's College London
Mr Jamil Ahmed
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon & Deputy Director of Medical Education, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group
13:00 - 14:30
Lunch and Networking
14:30 - 15:20
AI in the Operating Theatre: A Human Factors Perspective to Ensure Safety and Human-AI-Collaboration
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.
Dr. Susanne Gaube,
Lecturer in Human Factors for Healthcare, UCL
Jeremy Opie,
Senior Research Fellow: Human Factors and Innovative Technologies for Surgical Interventions
Professor Matt Clarkson,
Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Deputy Director of the Wellcome / EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS)
Prof. Laurence Lovat,
Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) & Biophotonics, UCL - Division of Surgery and Interventional Science and UCLH
15:20 - 16:10
Training the Next Surgical Workforce: Robotics, Simulation & AI
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.
Mr Asit Arora
Robotic Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas NHS Trust & Clinical Lecturer at King's College London
Mr Michael Powar
Consultant Colorectal, Laparoscopic and General Surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
16:10 - 16:15
Closing from our Chairperson
Rajesh Sivaprakasam,
Lead for Robotic Renal Failure Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust
16:00 - 18:00
The GIANT HEALTH event annual Christmas Party
Why leave early when the best conversations happen after the formal programme ends? After a day exploring the future of surgery, join fellow innovators, clinicians, and healthcare leaders for our annual Christmas celebration. This isn't just festive drinks—it's where the ideas sparked during today's sessions crystallize into genuine collaborations. Whether you're a surgeon curious about a robotics platform you saw demonstrated, a trust director seeking to compare notes on AI implementation, or a startup founder wanting to understand clinical needs more deeply, this relaxed environment creates the space for authentic connections that structured panels simply can't. The innovations that will define the operating theatre of 2030 won't emerge from presentations alone—they'll be forged in exactly these moments, over drinks and genuine conversation, between people who share a vision for transforming surgical care.
18:00 - 22:00
“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:
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