The Operating Theatre in the year 2030

The Operating Theatre in the year 2030
8th of December 2025, London England

The Operating
Theatre in the year 2030
LONDON, ENGLAND

Join us at The Operating Theatre in the year 2030 to explore the future of surgical care and innovation. This event will focus on how technology like robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced imaging is changing the way surgeries are performed and improving outcomes for patients. Experts from across healthcare and technology will share practical insights into how these advancements can make operating rooms more efficient, precise, and patient-focused.

Agenda The Operating Theatre in the year 2030

9.45 - 10.00

Welcome from our Chairperson

Rajesh Sivaprakasam,

Lead for Robotic Renal Failure Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust

10:00 - 10:30

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

10:30 - 10:50

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.

10:50 - 11:20

Perioperative Management: AI Innovations in Pre-Surgical Preparation and Real-Time Care

From trauma to transplant, optimising anaesthetic and perioperative care in real time remains a challenge. Hear from NHS teams trialling AI systems to guide fluid management, anaesthetic delivery, and intraoperative decision-making — and how these tools are being deployed safely with proper governance, staff training, and human–AI decision frameworks.

11:20 - 11:50

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.

11:50 - 12:40

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 Lonfon

Mr Jamil Ahmed

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon & Deputy Director of Medical Education, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group

12:40 - 13:00

13:00 - 14:30

Lunch and Networking

14:30 - 15:20

Funding AI & Robotics in Surgery: What’s Worked — And How to Replicate It

Most robotics and AI proposals fail not due to clinical merit, but unclear ROI or strategic misalignment. This session unpacks how NHS Trusts, ICBs, and accelerators have successfully funded surgical innovations — and how clinical champions and finance leads can craft joint business cases that cut through bureaucracy.

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 Lonfon

Mr Michael Powar

Consultant Colorectal, Laparoscopic and General Surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital

16:10 - 16:50

Postoperative AI & Remote Monitoring: What NHS Trusts Are Getting Right

From virtual wards to wearables, AI is reshaping how we monitor recovery at home. This session explores how NHS teams are deploying early warning systems, integrating community care pathways, and reducing avoidable readmissions — with a focus on replicable models and what makes them stick.

16:50 - 17:00

Closing from our Chairperson

The Operating Theatre in the year 2030 -

The conference will also discuss the changing needs of the surgical workforce and strategies to ensure equal access to high-quality care. Through keynote talks, panel discussions, and demonstrations, you’ll learn about new tools and practices that aim to improve safety, sustainability, and training in NHS theatres. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, policymaker, or innovator, this event is an opportunity to discover how NHS theatres are preparing for the challenges and possibilities of 2030.

Who is this conference for?
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This exclusive conference is designed for healthcare professionals dedicated to shaping the future of operating theatres within the NHS. It is the premier event for surgical leaders, operating theatre managers, perioperative staff, clinical directors, and NHS executives who are passionate about advancing surgical care, optimizing processes, and integrating the latest innovations in medical technology.

Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the future of surgical practice, from state-of-the-art digital solutions and robotics to workflow optimization, patient safety enhancements, and data-driven decision-making. This conference is also essential for those working in healthcare strategy, digital health, and data analytics, offering a unique opportunity to stay at the forefront of surgical transformation.

Whether you are improving theatre efficiency, driving policy, enhancing patient outcomes, or implementing cutting-edge surgical technologies, The NHS Hospital Theatre 2030 Conference will provide the knowledge, connections, and inspiration to help you lead meaningful change across the NHS.

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On the day