On the 18th September 2018 over 200 health and social care colleagues gathered to discuss the concept of systems leadership, integration and sector sustainability in the face of ever greater service demand. This dynamic and extremely well received conference included speakers ranging from Professor Sir Chris Ham CBE of The Kings Fund to Peter Lees, CEO of the UK intercollegiate Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management. Fascinating examples of integrated care were provided by Steven Peasant, MBE when developing the Greater Manchester Combined Authority model. Experiences from Karen Kirkham, Clinical Lead, Dorset Integrated Care Systems, and Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive of South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care Systems were also shared.

The afternoon was dedicated to Think Tank sessions which proactively presented colleagues with an opportunity to network and contemplate the future of nitrated care, what this may look like and how this is relevant to sector, local and national concerns. Think Tank topics included creating the integrated workforce of the future, integrated care: the public health perspective and developing the role of the 3rd sector in providing integrated care solutions: possibilities and limitations. The Think Tanks were well received and subsequently created opportunities for future meetings with various stakeholder organisations to discuss collaboration and integration going forward.
The close of the conference was comprised of an extremely interesting panel session where the speakers for the day received questions from the audience. Much debate regarding the future challenges of integrated care and systems leadership approach was undertaken here. Overall, the Centre for Leadership (Health and Social Care) 2018 annual conference was warmly received. Comments from delegates included; “the quality of speakers, the honesty and integrity of the speakers in delivery of the presentations”, “venue was good, speakers varied and interesting - good to hear from Chris Ham and Dorset and Greater Manchester particularly” and “The plenary session in particular but all the conference was brilliant”. This conference has laid the foundations for our next conference, which will build on the outstanding framework delivered in 2018.