In an era where healthcare demands are rapidly evolving, innovation in NHS procurement plays a crucial role in delivering efficient and high-quality care. This session looks at the transformative potential of innovative procurement practices within the NHS. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, fostering collaborative partnerships, and implementing strategic procurement processes, the NHS can achieve significant improvements in patient outcomes and operational efficiency. The session will explore the key challenges and opportunities in modernising procurement practices, emphasising the importance of innovation in achieving a sustainable and responsive healthcare system. The discussion will highlight successful case studies, share insights on emerging trends and offer practical strategies for integrating innovation into procurement processes.

This session will also consider the boundaries of commercial thinking in the NHS - as the NHS faces increasing pressure to deliver more with less, commercial innovation is becoming an ever-more compelling solution. From private-sector partnerships to cutting-edge technologies and business-driven models, the NHS has begun exploring commercial strategies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and patient care. But how far should this approach go?

Synopsis: The NHS is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2045. This ambition – which has less than 20 years to deliver - affects everything that the NHS delivers and buys, making collaboration and partnership with its supply chain critical to success. This panel discussion looks at:

• The progress that has been made so far and what lies ahead
• How does the Net Zero ambition work alongside the wider NHS Reform and other challenges identified within Lord Darzi’s report?
• What role do suppliers play in delivering innovative solutions that reduce the NHS’ carbon footprint?
• What procurement models can be used to incentivise the right behaviours across the supply chain?
• How can collaboration be used to spread local best practice across the entire NHS?
• What impact could the abolition of NHS England and a new operating model have on achieving the Net Zero target?
• Overcoming the perception that Net Zero = Extra Cost
• From Pledge to Pause: Can Net Zero Survive Political Headwinds?

AI and Digital are transforming the delivery of healthcare services. The NHS is fully embracing AI as a tool for analysing vast amounts of data, supporting the prevention and treatment of a range of illnesses. This panel gets under the skin of the subject to discuss:
• What role can AI and digital technology play in streamlining procurement processes?
• How does the NHS buy and integrate AI into its systems?
• How is this area developing and what might that mean for buyers and suppliers?
• What are the real versus the perceived benefits of AI in healthcare procurement?
• Understand the potential benefits of AI and digital technologies in transforming NHS administrative processes, including appointments, payroll, and back-office functions.

The NHS estate is in disrepair – with a maintenance backlog estimated at more than £11bn and work needed to renovate vast swathes of property. At the same time, new hospital builds are behind schedule and under review. This panel discussion looks at the opportunity that exists within this challenging area, with a focus on how to deliver the infrastructure the NHS needs to adapt to rapidly changing demands.
• What is the vision for the NHS estate, including the New Hospitals Programme?
• How will the NHS estate evolve to meet changing requirements – including community care, preventative healthcare and the drive for a carbon neutral NHS?
• What can be learned from experiences outside of the UK?
• How can procurement play a deeper role in securing the best long-term outcomes?
• What role will digitisation and care in the community play in determining how patients interact with NHS spaces?
• The Future of NHS Property: How Community and Social Care Collaboration Can Drive Change

Procurement is front and centre to addressing the many challenges faced by the NHS and will be central to achieving the called-for Reform. But what does this mean for those working within procurement functions and the wider supply chain? Is this an opportunity to take procurement to a higher level and cement its position as not just a delivery mechanism but an enabler of change? Given the scale of the mission, how can the NHS ensure that it attracts and retains the very best people? This panel discussion will consider:
• Digital transformation – what tools can buyers use to make procurement more efficient and focused on adding value rather than managing processes?
• What skills are most important to develop within NHS procurement?
• How are buyers adapting to new procurement legislation affecting the NHS?
• How do relationships between buyers and suppliers need to evolve?
• What impact could the abolition of NHS England and a new operating model have on capacity, skills and culture?
• Winning Over Gen Z: Can the NHS recruitment still inspire the next generation? Shaping recruitment and retention approaches that reflect evolving cultural, digital, and generational shifts.

The NHS is adapting to a focus on prevention rather than just cure. This shift is driven by the understanding that preventing illnesses and promoting healthier lifestyles can lead to better health outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare services. Prevention requires a collaborative, multi-agency approach to care – connecting the dots between areas such as local government, housing and education to achieve the desired results. This panel discussion considers:
• How does a shift towards prevention affect what the NHS needs to buy and where services are delivered?
• How can the NHS work more collaboratively with other organisations to deliver a joined-up approach – and what could this mean for the supply chain?
• How can collaborative working be incentivised and measured?
• What tools and insights do buyers need to collaborate more effectively in order to make the desired inroads into preventative care?
• How can supply chains support this initiative and become more flexible and agile in the services that they deliver?