We live and work in an ever more complex and dynamic world. The degree of change, interconnectivity, and unpredictability requires effective leadership to navigate such complexity and uncertainty. How do we lead health visiting decisively in a health and care system facing profound challenges? In every challenge, there are also opportunities for us to grasp as prevention and early intervention are recognised as an important part of the solution – and the best place to start is in the earliest years of life.
We are delighted to launch this year’s Institute of Health Visiting’s annual leadership conference with its overarching theme, ‘Leading in a complex world’.
The iHV annual Leadership Conference has become an important date in the calendar for health visitors. Bringing together high-profile speakers, leaders, academics and practitioners, the iHV Leadership Conference will examine current and future challenges that are impacting the life chances of babies, children and families in the UK. Most importantly, we will focus on solutions and the value of health visiting. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions, we will explore the latest research, policy and practice aimed at strengthening practice and collaborative working to improve health and reduce inequalities.
This year’s conference will be even bigger than last year’s – tickets sold out very quickly leaving some people disappointed and unable to attend in person. We have listened to your feedback! We are very excited to be holding this year’s conference at the bigger, and even more fabulous, London venue of the Royal College of Midwives, 10 Union Street, on Wednesday 6 December 2023. We are also pleased to offer virtual conference tickets again this year, in addition to face-to-face, providing flexible options.
We have a number of very eminent speakers joining us this year, including Dame Ruth May DBE – Chief Nursing Officer for England, Dr Camilla Kingdon – President RCPCH, Professor Bola Owolabi – Director Health Inequalities, NHS England, Paul Cairney – Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of Stirling, and Dr Jenny Woodman – Associate Professor in Child and Family Policy, UCL.
Conference themes include (but are not limited to):
- Tackling inequalities in child health. Including, supporting families in the complex real world experiencing poverty, homelessness and the stark realities of the cost-of-living crisis.
- Translating research into policy and practice – when we have more evidence than any other generation, why are we not seeing the change that we know is needed? And what can we do about it?
- Leading service transformation using the latest evidence – focusing on preconception care, child development, infant mental health and health visiting leadership through research.
- Collaboration and system leadership to address thorny issues including, soaring A&E attendances in under 5’s, health visiting workforce issues, career progression, and professional regulation.
- Nursing strategy and our role in health equity.
This conference always receives excellent feedback from delegates who report that they leave feeling re-energised and reconnected following a packed agenda of inspirational speakers. Many of our delegates also take the opportunity to meet up with colleagues from across the UK and enjoy the ambience and other attractions of London in the festive season. We hope you can join us.
In-person ticket sales have now closed – you can still join us as an online delegate, book your place below!
