Conference

Mental Health Network Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024

Join us in Leeds as we unite leaders and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the mental health sector.
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General information

Time
24 April 2024 09:30 - 16:30 GMT
Audience
Open to all

Speakers

  • Ifti Majid
    Ifti Majid
    Chair, Mental Health Network, and Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Sean Duggan
    Sean Duggan OBE
    Chair, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
  • A photo of Abena Oppong-Asare, wearing a red coat, standing in front of a blurred image of what may be the Houses of Parliament in London.
    Abena Oppong-Asare External link icon
    Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Member of Parliament Labour
  • Matthew Taylor - Chief Executive
    Matthew Taylor
    Chief Executive NHS Confederation

Our 2024 Mental Health Network Annual Conference and Exhibition will bring together senior leaders from the mental health, learning disability and autism sector for lively discussions on the future of services, to share good practice, horizon scan, and network with their peers.

The coming year brings a range of opportunities and challenges for mental health providers. Organisations are continuing to deliver services whilst facing unprecedented demand, workforce shortages continue and the issue of mental health is competing with other national priorities, with action still needed on the Mental Health Act and parity of esteem more widely. 

Despite this, there is space for change and innovation. This includes an increasingly integrated care landscape with new opportunities for members to influence system-level decisions, the growth of digital and AI, continuing efforts to identify and address health inequalities, and potential changes within parliament as we approach the next election, where we will be making the case for mental health and influencing party manifestos. 

Amid this backdrop, we are inviting members once again to come together, unite, and focus on the shared challenges and opportunities for the mental health sector.

  • Programme

    The day will run from 9am to 4:30pm. If you have not yet done so, don't forget to select your choice of breakout session ahead of time by completing this form.

    The conference has been CPD certified, with an anticipated five hours of learning time. Further details of how to claim your CPD certificate will be released following the conference.

    Please note that details of speakers are provisional and may change in the event of circumstances outside of our control. In the event that a speaker is no longer available to attend we will ensure alternative arrangements are made. 
     

    9:00–9:30am - Registration, Networking and Exhibition

     

    9:30–9:40am - Chair's and Vice Chair's Welcome

    Ifti Majid, Chair, Mental Health Network and Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 

    Marsha McAdam, Ambassador, Peer Consultant & Vice-Chair, Mental Health Network 

     

    9:40–9:50am - Chief Executive's Address

    Sean Duggan OBE, Chief Executive, Mental Health Network

     

    9:50–10:40am - Closing the gap: Improving ADHD pathways

    Speakers: 

    • Dr Phil Moore, Chair, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities & Autism System Group (Session Chair) 
    • Dr Hifzi Huzair, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
    • Dr Lucy Clement, GP, Clinical Lead for Neurodiversity at Leeds ICB, and Liaison Officer for Leeds Local Medical Committee
    • Dr Max Davie, Trustee and Co-Founder, ADHD UK 
    • Dr Michael Smith, Consultant Psychiatrist, Leeds & Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 

     

    10:40–11:00am - Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking

     

    11:00–11:40am - In Conversation Session  

    Speakers: 

    • Dr Lade Smith, President, Royal College of Psychiatrists 
    • Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE, independent health and social care consultant

     

    11:40am–12:30pm - Raising the bar: working together to improve inpatient mental healthcare – supported by Oxehealth 

    Speakers: 

    • Sean Duggan, Chief Executive, Mental Health Network (Session Chair) 
    • Dr Sri Kalidindi, Consultant Psychiatrist in Rehabilitation & Recovery, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Chair, Association of Mental Health Providers 
    • Ian Callaghan, Recovery & Secure Care Programme Manager, Rethink Mental Illness 
    • Philippa Styles, Director of Investigations, Health Services Safety Investigations Body
    • Paul Scott, Chief Executive, Essex Partnership NHS Trust

     

    12:30–1:20pm - Lunch, Exhibition and Networking

     

    1:20–1:30pm - Children's Choir - Place2Be

     

    1:30–2:20pm - Moving the dial: improving access to mental health support for children and young people

    Speakers: 

    • Marsha McAdam, Ambassador, Peer Consultant & Vice-Chair, Mental Health Network (Session Chair) 
    • Professor Asif Zia, Executive Director for Quality and Medical Leadership, Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation Trust
    • Elliot Busari, Expert by Experience and Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologist
    • Dr Ranil Tan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
    • Donna Ryan, Strategic Programme Lead for Mental Health, Barnardo’s 

     

    2:20–3:15pm - Breakout sessions (choice of three)

    1. Leadership development – How to make high quality decisions in high pressured environments

    Speakers: 

    • Louise Wheeler, Organisational Psychologist 
    • Dr Buki Adeyemo, Chief Executive, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 
    • Meg Wamithi, Strategic Programmes and Innovation Lead, Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind

    2. Working better together – how to improve substance use provision for people with mental health issues

    Speakers: 

    • Julie Bass, Chief Executive, Turning Point 
    • Rebekah Cresswell, Chief Executive, The Priory Group 
    • Dame Carol Black, Chair, Independent Review of Drugs 
    • Philip Gayle, Chair, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust 
    • Additional speaker to be confirmed

    3. Unlock your data to cut waiting lists, to improve patient pathways and generate better outcomes – supported by Acumentice

    Speakers: 

    • Evelyn Asante-Mensah, Chair, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (Session Chair) 
    • Marsha McAdam, Peer Ambassador and Vice-Chair, Mental Health Network 
    • Michael Watson, Principal Consultant, Acumentice 
    • Jo Hillier, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

     

    3:15–3:35pm - Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking

     

    3:35–4:00pm - First Keynote Address

    Speakers: 

    • Abena Oppong-Asare, Shadow Minister for Mental Health & Women’s Health 
    • Sean Duggan, Chief Executive, Mental Health Network (Session Chair)

     

    4:00–4:25pm - Second Keynote Address

    Speakers: 

    • Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
    • Sean Duggan, Chief Executive, Mental Health Network (Session Chair)

     

    4:25–4:30pm - Chair's Closing Reflections

    Ifti Majid OBE, Chair, Mental Health Network and Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 

  • Delegate rates

    Our conference last year was fully booked and places are limited, with approximately 75% of places currently filled. 

    We are offering reduced rates for Mental Health Network and wider NHS Confederation members.

    • Mental Health Network Member - £188 + VAT
    • NHS Confederation Member - £188 + VAT
    • Non-Member NHS, VCSE, Arms Length or Government Organisation - £356 + VAT
    • Commercial Organisation - £524 + VAT

    In addition to the conference itself, we will also be hosting a dinner the night before the conference which is exclusively for Mental Health Network members at a rate of £79 + VAT.

    Please click here to book your place using a payment card, or email our events team for an invoice.

  • Getting there

    The conference will be taking place at Cloth Court Hall, part of the University of Leeds, which is a five-minute walk from Leeds train station.

    Cloth Court Hall
    Quebec Street
    Leeds, LS1 2HA

    Click here to access the location on Google Maps

    More information on the venue can also be found on the University of Leeds website.

  • Our commitment to accessibility and inclusion

    We are committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible event that enables everyone to attend and engage fully.  

    • Whatever your requirements may be, please email mhn@nhsconfed.org in advance of the event to tell us how we can support you to take part on the day.  

Partnership Opportunities

Thank you to our official event partners, Oxehealth and Acumentice.

An image showing the logos of Oxehealth and Acumentice

Our exhibition has now sold out but we do still have a limited number of supporter opportunities available. To find out how you can get involved, please email ross.edwards@nhsconfed.org.