The Operating Theatres Conference 2027
Healthcare is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and operating theatres are at the heart of that transformation. From artificial intelligence and robotic surgery to sustainable theatre design, patient safety, and workforce resilience, the Operating Theatres Conference 2027 will bring together the leaders, innovators and frontline professionals shaping the future of surgical services.
Designed for theatre managers, perioperative nurses, Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs), surgeons, anaesthetists, clinical leaders, NHS executives, digital transformation teams and industry partners, this two-day event offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest thinking, share best practice and discover practical solutions that are improving outcomes across the NHS and independent healthcare.
A Programme Designed for Tomorrow's Surgical Services
Across keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, interactive workshops and real-world case studies, delegates will hear from nationally recognised clinical leaders, policy experts and innovators who are transforming perioperative care.
The conference will explore emerging topics including AI governance, digital twins, real-time theatre performance dashboards, ambient AI documentation, smart asset tracking, cybersecurity, remote surgical mentoring, climate-resilient healthcare facilities and value-based perioperative care.
Innovation in Action
An extensive exhibition and Innovation Showcase will provide hands-on access to the latest technologies, digital solutions and medical devices shaping the future of operating theatres. Delegates will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, experience live demonstrations and discover practical innovations that can be implemented within their own organisations.
Join the Conversation
Whether your focus is improving patient outcomes, increasing theatre productivity, supporting your workforce or preparing your organisation for the next generation of surgical care, the Salford Professional Development’s Operating Theatres Conference 2027 is the essential event for anyone committed to delivering excellence in perioperative services.
Join hundreds of healthcare professionals from across the UK as we shape the future of operating theatres together.
At a glance
Learning Outcomes
The conference will showcase the innovations and strategies that are redefining modern operating theatres, helping organisations deliver safer, smarter and more sustainable surgical care.
Delegates will gain practical insights into:
- Harnessing AI, digital technologies and intelligent operating theatres to improve efficiency and decision-making.
- Delivering more surgery safely through improved productivity, elective recovery and enhanced theatre utilisation.
- The latest advances in robotic-assisted surgery, navigation systems and emerging surgical technologies.
- Building high-performing theatre teams through effective leadership, communication and human factors.
- Embedding patient safety by moving beyond checklists to create cultures of continuous improvement.
- Tackling infection prevention using evidence-based practice and modern theatre design.
- Supporting the NHS Net Zero agenda through greener, more sustainable operating theatres.
- Recruiting, retaining and developing the perioperative workforce of the future.
- Preparing for the operating theatre of 2030 through digital infrastructure, smart environments and innovative models of care.
- Exploring cutting-edge innovations from NHS pioneers, start-ups and leading medical technology companies.
Who Should Attend?
Operating Theatre Technicians - Surgeons - Operating Theatre Practitioners - Anaesthetists - Theatre Team Leaders - Theatre Managers - Theatre Directors - Surgical Care Practitioners - Surgical Assistants - First Assistant to the Surgeons - Healthcare Assistants - Theatre Support Workers - Assistant Practitioners - Hospital Operating Theatre Porters - Healthcare Assistants - Commissioning Heads - Heads of NHS - Directors of Public Health - Heads of Public Engagement - Directors of Commissioning - Heads of National/Regional Public Health Groups - Heads of Treatment and Prevention - Directors of Strategic Development
Sponsors
Main Sponsors
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2027 Agenda
08:30
Registration, Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking
09:30
Welcome Remarks: Khrystina Keyworth-Jubb - Performance and Delivery Manager SPD
09:35
Opening Remarks from the Chair
09:40
Keynote Session: Patient Safety: From Checklist to Culture
Focus: Eliminating preventable harm
Topics:
- Never Events
- Retained surgical items
- Surgical safety checklists
- Learning from incidents
- Cell salvage
- Sepsis recognition
10:10
Session Title: Workforce of the Future
Focus: Recruitment, retention and wellbeing
Topics:
- Supporting ODPs and theatre nurses
- Mental health
- Flexible workforce models
- Education and simulation
- Career development
- Developing future leaders
10:40
Session Title: The Theatre of 2030
Focus: Vision and future planning
Topics:
- Smart operating rooms
- Digital infrastructure
- AI-assisted workflows
- New theatre design
- Patient-centred environments
- Future workforce models
11:10
Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking
11:40
Seminar sessions: Innovation Showcase
Focus: Practical solutions
Featuring:
- Start-ups
- NHS innovation case studies
- Medical technology demonstrations
- Digital health companies
- Interactive technology zone
12:10
Panel Discussion: Robotics, Navigation & Advanced Surgical Technologies
Focus: Next-generation surgery
Topics:
- Robotic-assisted surgery
- 3D surgical planning
- Augmented reality in theatre
- Surgical simulation
- Future operating room technologies
12:45
Session Title: Infection Prevention in Modern Theatres
Focus: Evidence-based practice
Topics:
- Surgical site infection reduction
- Decontamination innovations
- Theatre ventilation
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Aseptic technique
- Environmental monitoring
13:15
Lunch, Exhibition and Networking
14:15
Session Title: Human Factors & High Performing Theatre Teams
Focus: Culture, leadership and communication
Topics:
- Human factors science
- Psychological safety
- Speaking up for safety
- Team communication
- Leadership in perioperative services
- Creating high reliability organisations
Human factors continues to feature prominently because technology alone does not improve outcomes without effective teamwork and communication.
14:45
Afternoon Keynote: Inclusive Leadership and Workforce Diversity
- Build inclusive teams that improve staff engagement and patient outcomes.
- Understand the role of diversity in innovation, decision-making and organisational performance.
- Develop leadership approaches that foster equity, belonging and psychological safety.
- Share practical initiatives for attracting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce.
15:15
Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking
15:45
Session Title: Value-Based Perioperative Care
- Shift the focus from activity to outcomes that matter most to patients.
- Improve quality while reducing unwarranted variation and unnecessary costs.
- Use data and patient-reported outcomes to measure value across the surgical pathway.
- Explore collaborative approaches that deliver better clinical, operational and financial outcomes.
16:15
Session Title: Cybersecurity in Connected Operating Rooms
- Understand the cyber risks associated with digitally connected theatre environments.
- Protect medical devices, patient data and critical clinical systems.
- Explore best practice for cyber resilience and incident response.
- Learn how cybersecurity contributes to safe, uninterrupted surgical care.
16:45
Closing Remarks from the Chair
17:00
Close of the Conference