The Operating Theatres Conference 2026 Round-Up

Published 11/02/2026 by MaKinzie Welch

Conference Blog

The 11th Annual Operating Theatres Conference delivered a high-energy, fully booked day that brought together hundreds of surgical and perioperative professionals from across the UK. With a packed programme, a vibrant exhibition space and a buzzing auditorium from start to finish, the conference became a meeting point for those leading the future of operating theatre practice.

From early morning registration through to the final closing remarks, the atmosphere was one of momentum, collaboration and shared purpose. Delegates filled the theatre eager to learn, connect and take away practical ideas to implement in their own services.

Chaired by Dr Nigel Roberts, Associate Divisional Director at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust for Theatres, ICU, Pain, Oral Surgery and Elective Bookings, the day flowed through clinical and operational priorities facing operating theatres today. Reflecting on the event, he described it as “a very wide range of topics, the exhibition hall being packed, and lots of opportunities for people to network”.

A Packed Programme

The conference opened with a keynote session from Ian Eardley, Consultant Urological Surgeon in Leeds and National Clinical Director for Elective Care at NHS England, set the tone with a keynote on reducing elective theatre waiting times, exploring progress toward the 18-week target and the practical actions being taken to increase capacity and efficiency.

Speaking about the importance of events such as this, he said, “It’s really important that teams get together and communicate.” He emphasised that productivity relies on collaboration across the pathway, adding, “We won’t get a patient slickly through an operating theatre unless you’ve got the team working together. I don’t just mean the theatre team. I mean the whole of the team, booking, scheduling, perioperative, surgeons and theatre staff working together.”

Next, Irrum Afzal, Digital Health Transformation Specialist, took to the stage to unpack Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, highlighting how high-quality data underpins safe and effective AI, and how digital insight are influencing clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. The session sparked discussion around the opportunities and responsibilities that come with data-driven care.

One of the most talked-about sessions of the day came from Professor Scarlett McNally, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, whose presentation on perioperative behaviours and human factors resonated strongly with delegates. The session encouraged teams to reflect on how behaviours impact both patients and colleagues, and how respectful, inclusive teamwork supports excellent care.

After, Getinge showcased the Maquet Corin Operating Table, offering insight into how modern operating tables are evolving to support improved ergonomics, workflow efficiency and patient outcomes. Getinge also exhibited at the conference showcasing the technology firsthand.

Peter Mawdsley from Getinge commented on the quality of engagement throughout the day, saying, “We’ve had a lot of customers coming to us. It’s easier for people to come up afterwards in a more relaxed space.” He also noted the national reach of the event, observing that “there are quite a lot of people who aren’t just from this area, they’re from far and wide as well.”

Later in the morning, a panel discussion on the future of operating theatres brought together clinical and digital leaders to explore theatre design, workforce wellbeing and technological integration, alongside an interactive question and answer session that kept the audience engaged.

In the afternoon, Numah Shah, Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon at Salford Royal Major Trauma Centre, delivered a forward-looking session on advances in orthopaedic surgery, demonstrating how 3D surgical planning, robotics, augmented reality and simulation are transforming complex procedures and advancing personalised, data-led care.

Patient safety remained firmly in the spotlight with Dr Craig Carroll, Consultant Anaesthetist, Chair UK Cell Salvage Action Group, exploring the current landscape of cell salvage. This talk covered the evidence for cell salvage, current UK usage, the need for comprehensive data, and how delivery can be optimised within these four constraints.

The next session was followed by Saskia Fursland, Senior Safety Investigator, presenting national findings on retained swabs. During their session, they discussed the factors that influence how and why swabs and other items may be unintentionally retained during procedures. They explored the importance of considering risk at every stage of the surgical pathway and examined innovations that could help reduce the likelihood of retained items.

The afternoon keynote, Dr. Ron Daniels, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, UK Sepsis Trust, took the stage next to discuss the urgency of early recognition and treatment of sepsis. He discussed how awareness around sepsis isn’t enough, and rapid recognition and immediate action are critical. With the clock already ticking, sepsis must be treated with the same urgency as a stroke or heart attack. Our annual Sepsis Conference chaired by The UK Sepsis Trust takes place on 2nd July, 2026. You can secure your free place for the event here.

The day concluded with a session from Lindsay Keeley of AfPP on infection prevention and control in perioperative practice, reinforcing evidence-based standards, multidisciplinary responsibility and safe clinical behaviours across the surgical pathway.

Innovation extended beyond the speaker sessions. The exhibition space remained busy throughout the day, with delegates networking, sharing experiences and engaging directly with industry partners.

Voice Care, the headline sponsor, described the sponsor experience as “fantastic. The delegates have been fully interacting and it’s been a great forum.” Conversations centred largely on patient safety, which he described as “the key beneficiary of our system within the operating theatre space.”

Voice Care headlined last year’s conference and returned this year. Phil Jarrett explained their decision, saying, “We decided to come back because we had such a great experience in the previous year, and we wanted to replicate that.”

With continuous footfall throughout the day, the exhibition area contributed significantly to the energy of the event. Delegates connected with leading organisations including:

Voice Care
Anetic Aid Ltd
B. Braun
Bender
BeaconMedaes Ltd
Boltons Surgical
Brandon Medical
Conmed
Cutting Edge Surgical
Distinctive Medical
Getinge
Omnicell
Pentland Medical Ltd
Probo Medical
Rocialle Healthcare
Surgical Holdings
Teasdale Healthcare Equipment Ltd
Walters Medical

With a sold-out audience, packed sessions and constant conversation inside and outside the auditorium, The Operating Theatres Conference 2026 demonstrated the appetite within the surgical community for innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

As Dr Nigel Roberts reflected, events such as this support professional development and strengthen networks, helping teams “learn from each other and put that practice into the workplace.”