Conference strands

Organised around four themes, the strand sessions gave delegates an in-depth look at the key NHS workforce issues they are currently facing.

Engaging staff for success

Can staff involvement and engagement improve performance, productivity and the patient experience?

This strand covered:

• turning rhetoric into reality
• releasing the potential of staff
• using the staff survey effectively
• understanding partnership working in practice.

Facing the future

As the NHS celebrates its 60th anniversary how can we respond to ongoing change and tackle the workforce challenges of decades to come?

This strand covered:

• ensuring our pay and reward systems are up to date
• emerging challenges of recruitment and retention
• determining the clinicians we will need for the future
• developing the skills and talents of our workforce
• reshaping healthcare through technology.

Focus on fundamentals

What makes a successful NHS organisation, from recruitment practices to leadership style?

This strand covered:

• ensuring patient safety comes first
• tackling bullying and harassment
• creating healthier workplaces
• promoting safer recruitment
• meeting new challenges of equality and diversity.

Policy into practice

Looking at what will be on your agenda for 2009, from the NHS Next Stage Review to the latest on pay and regulation.

This strand covered:

• understanding professional regulation
• mainstreaming the equality agenda
• raising productivity
• implementing the Next Stage Review.