7th May 2026
What an incredible day we had at the iHV Evidence-based Practice Conference 2026 “From Evidence to Action: Getting it right from the start” yesterday. We had a packed conference hall in Bournemouth – with delegates from all UK nations and as far afield as Australia – and many more joining us online.
The atmosphere at the conference was wonderful, with rooms filled with enthusiasm and inspiration. The conference showcased the very best of health visiting practice and research. From start to finish, the event was packed with examples of the difference that health visiting can make, led by practitioners with the vision to make the most of the opportunities, and navigate a path through the challenges, to a better future.
We had a bumper programme which brought together an incredible line-up of inspiring leaders, cutting-edge researchers and prestigious speakers. Delegates heard from over 80 inspiring speakers and presenters – and could engage in Q&A sessions and discussions. The day prompted lots of insightful discussions amongst our health visiting community and wider partners across the earliest years.
Sessions focused on the latest developments, research and innovations in health visiting. In-person delegates also had a fantastic opportunity to network with colleagues from across the UK to make new connections and share best practice, as well as enjoy the exhibition and meet with our partners. There was something for everyone!
Alison Morton OBE opening iHV EBP 2026
Our keynote speakers included
- Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE, Executive Director, Goal Mind and Abule CIC
- Julie Hayward, Director of Partnerships, BookTrust, and Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Author and Screen Writer, Waterstones Children’s Laureate
- Rachael Jay, Health Visiting Team Manager, Cornwall Council
- Prof Lynn Kemp, Distinguished Professor of Nursing, Western Sydney University
- Dr Alison Lamont, Senior Research Fellow, University College London
- Alison Morton OBE, CEO, Institute of Health Visiting, joined by two iHV Fellows: Claire Scothern, General Manager for Children’s Community Services, Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust; and Hayley Jones, Senior Nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Author and Screen Writer, Waterstones Children’s Laureate
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Author and Screen Writer, Waterstones Children’s Laureate
Prof Lynn Kemp, Distinguished Professor of Nursing, Western Sydney University
Our eight dedicated key public health concurrent streams provided a breadth of priority topics for health visiting practitioners, including:
- Safeguarding and trauma-informed care (*live streamed option for online delegates)
- Supporting babies and children with SEND
- Food insecurity and oral health inequalities
- Health equity
- Professional practice
- Perinatal and infant mental health
- Getting it right from the start (*live streamed option for online delegates)
- Infant feeding
In addition to the Concurrent sessions, the Breakout Oral Presentation sessions and poster displays at the iHV EBP conference provided an important platform for health visiting researchers and practitioners to raise the profile of their work, disseminate excellence and support best practice – all focused on improving health and ending health inequalities for babies, children, families and communities.
We would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to our delegates and our inspiring speakers. We also thank our partners and exhibitors for their support – with special thanks to our main event partner this year, Digital Health Transformation Service.
Digital Health Transformation Service
Congratulations to all the poster presenters who provided some very interesting and well-designed posters – with special congratulations to Kerry Riley and Jane Keenan who won the best poster award.
Kerry Riley and Jane Keenan who won the best poster award
Delegates left feeling inspired and connected to the wider health visiting community.
“It was great to hear about the wide range of interesting and academically focused work that Health Visiting Professionals are engaged in. For me, the highlight of the day was the first four keynote speakers, who were openly passionate and truly inspirational! Thank you!”
“I found it to be very inspiring and interesting. I also loved how organised, succinct and smooth it all was!”
“The conference was a well-oiled machine, everything worked, everyone knew what they were doing and it all was slick. Very well put together throughout.”
“The range of speakers were brilliant. It’s always harder attending day sessions online however the length of each presentation was kept to a good time to keep engaged whilst being very informative, and IT worked brilliantly.”
“All posters were brilliant, it was hard to pick a winner.”
“The first plenary was excellent and inspiring. The structure of the day worked well. The concurrent sessions were good – it was hard to choose between them. The space was large which made it feel relaxed and not overwhelming. Catering was good. Overall it was a brilliant day, thank you so much.”
“Great to have Professor Lynn Kemp come all the way from Australia! Really elevated the prestige of the event.”
“[Keynote 2] was my favourite session of the day. All these speakers were so passionate and really made me think about things in a different way.”
“As always, it is very inspirational to hear what is happening in HV – I typically find these days extremely beneficial to my own personal development.”
“Variety of speakers sharing their research. Made me feel proud to be a HV and reflect on all the amazing work we do.”
