PCPN 2026 AGENDA

12-13 May 2026, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow

Delivering tangible solutions for real-world issues

PCPN is a unique, two-day learning and networking event which brings together the most inspirational leaders and transformational suppliers in the primary healthcare sector to share cutting-edge insight, knowledge and experience. Our agenda is carefully curated to address the most relevant and emerging challenges in the sector.

Day 1
Day 2

12 May 2026

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Main room

Registration
8:45 am - 9:00 am

Main room

Chair’s opening remarks

Welcome to PCPN 2026!
9:00 am - 9:40 am

Main room

Opening keynote panel – How do we work as one healthcare system?

Stephanie Cartwright

Group Director of Place for Walsall and Wolverhampton
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Mustafa Malik

Chief Executive
Greater Peterborough Network GP Federation

Luvjit Kandula

Director of Strategy and Pharmacy Transformation
Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester

Rupa Joshi

GP and Deputy Medical Director of Primary Care for South West Region / Transformation Lead
NHS England / British Society of Lifestyle Medicine

The public and patients view the healthcare sector and NHS as one consistent entity. Conversely, it is fragmented and siloed into several different components and collaboration is not seamless. The Government has called for collaboration...

The public and patients view the healthcare sector and NHS as one consistent entity. Conversely, it is fragmented and siloed into several different components and collaboration is not seamless. The Government has called for collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem which will be a “culture shock for the NHS” all in the aims to establish an optimised NHS fit for patients and the future.
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main room

Headline sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main room

Dragons Den – Speed presentations

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short 60 second pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challen...

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short 60 second pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main room

Keynote address

Hear from a senior primary care leader on the pressing challenges faced by the primary care workforce and organisations.
12:25 pm - 12:45 pm

Main room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
12:50 pm - 1:10 pm

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
1:10 pm - 1:50 pm

Main room

Networking lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.
1:55 pm - 2:35 pm

Main room

Opening the digital front door at scale and transforming the patient journey

Matea Deliu

Clinical Lead Primary Care Digital Delivery
NHS South East London Integrated Care System

Dr Asad Ashraf is a GP Partner, Medical Director and Chief Clinical Information Officer working across primary and community services in North East London. He leads digital transformation programmes for NEL ICB and London, specialising in AI, automation and modernising access in general practice. Asad is an Executive MBA candidate at UCL, a member of the BMA GPCE, and sits on the National CCIO Advisory Panel. He is a recognised speaker on clinical leadership, digital strategy and AI enabled care, and advises health tech companies on clinical safety, product development and NHS scale. He also serves as a peer reviewer for BMJ Digital Health and AI.

Asad Ashraf

GP, Chief Clinical Information Officer
NHS North East London ICB

Digital innovations are transforming patient access and care delivery across the NHS. Triage, the NHS App, and AI are opening the digital front door at scale, enabling smarter, faster, and more personalised patient pathways. Join the pan...

Digital innovations are transforming patient access and care delivery across the NHS. Triage, the NHS App, and AI are opening the digital front door at scale, enabling smarter, faster, and more personalised patient pathways. Join the panellists as they outline how digital technologies can streamline services, improve patient experience, and support scalable, digital-first care.
2:40 pm - 3:25 pm

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Main room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Main room

Closing keynote panel – Optimisation of neighbourhood care: commissioning, contracting, and coordinating to enhance patient outcomes

Dr. Rakesh Marwaha (DProf)
Dr Rakesh Marwaha brings a distinguished record of leadership and innovation across the NHS and wider health system. With over 32 years of experience, 20 in senior leadership positions, Rakesh began his career as a Practice Manager, and has since held a range of national, regional, and local roles, including CCG Accountable Officer, PCT Director, and Commercial Director.
A committed advocate for integrated Primary and Community Care, Rakesh’s current leadership roles within the PCN and Primary Care Provider draw upon his deep strategic experience whilst connecting this to operational delivery for patients. He also uses this expertise in supporting system leadership roles with the local system Provider Collaborative and nationally with the NHS Confederation, whilst continuing to mentor and coach through his consulting work. His focus is on enabling a leading-edge model of care that supports a “left shift” of resource, moving from illness to wellness, underpinned by digital-first approaches and a commitment to reducing health inequalities.
Rakesh’s lifelong commitment to academic excellence and evidence-based leadership is evident through his educational attainment, culminating in his recent achievement of a doctorate. His enduring ambition is to create the conditions and culture for every team member to reach their full potential while ensuring patients receive the most effective, equitable, and continuously improving health and care for all.

Rakesh Marwaha

Managing Partner & CEO
Erewash PCN & Erewash Health Partnership

Stephanie Cartwright

Group Director of Place for Walsall and Wolverhampton
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Joanne Hodgetts

Associate Director, Neighbourhood Health
Wye Valley NHS Trust

With the calls for the expansion and implementation of neighbourhood models across the system, the last thing patients want to hear is infighting over who gets contracts and commissioning of neighbourhood care. Join this closing panel di...

With the calls for the expansion and implementation of neighbourhood models across the system, the last thing patients want to hear is infighting over who gets contracts and commissioning of neighbourhood care. Join this closing panel discussion to hear from system leaders on how to collaborate for the patients interest to produce an optimised neighbourhood system.
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Main room

Hotel check-in/free time
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Main room

Drinks reception and networking dinner

Networking sessions – throughout the event we host a networking lunch as well as a dinner and drinks reception to give you ample opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers over the learnings from the event. Dinner is served i...

Networking sessions – throughout the event we host a networking lunch as well as a dinner and drinks reception to give you ample opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers over the learnings from the event. Dinner is served in formal-style seating to a set menu. Our delegate team will speak to you to ensure we cater for any specific dietary requirements.

13 May 2026

8:45 am - 8:55 am

Main room

Chair’s opening remarks

Welcome to PCPN 2026!
8:55 am - 9:35 am

Main room

Opening keynote panel – Readying your workforce and organisation for change

Dan Bunstone

Clinical Director of Warrington Innovation Network
Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board

Tracey Vell

Chief Officer
NHS Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board

Estefania Costa, ‘Stef’, is the Regional Primary Care Nursing Workforce Educator Lead at NHS England, East of England, Workforce, Training & Education (WTE) Directorate. With over 20 years of nursing experience, Stef has worked across Primary and Secondary Care, held senior roles in management, leadership, academia, and led early digital innovations like EPR pilots in early ‘00s. Her career spans education, workforce development, research, scientific peer review, and strategic decision-making with significant contributions to Higher Education both nationally and internationally, including liaising with European Commission. Stef is passionate about future-proofing nursing education and multidisciplinary workforce, building sustainable, collaborative models to support & progress Primary Care.

Stef Costa

Regional Primary Care Nursing Workforce Educator Lead, East of England
NHS England

Faris Al-Ramadani

GP Partner
St Wulfstan Surgery

Danny Bartlet

Clinical Lead
Primary Care School Kent Surrey and Sussex

Significant changes are occurring in the healthcare system especially in primary care. Hear from the panellists on how to get your team in shape to adapt to new ways of working, innovative technologies and any roadblocks on the way to op...

Significant changes are occurring in the healthcare system especially in primary care. Hear from the panellists on how to get your team in shape to adapt to new ways of working, innovative technologies and any roadblocks on the way to operationalising the NHS 10-year plan.
9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main room

Platinum sponsor presentation

Interested in sponsoring?
10:05 am - 10:35 am

Main room

How to maximise a new GP contract

Dr Shanker Vijay serves as a GP Lead for Digital Transformation (Primary Care) at NHS England (London region). Additionally, he is a Digital/IT lead in NHS North West London ICB. His extensive management experience includes working at the Board level in both Commissioning and Provider organisations.

In his London role, Shanker is involved in a wide range of varied workstreams, which currently include AI/Automation (shortlisted for HSJ Digital Award 2025), Pharmacy First, Online registration, Online consultations, and NHS App. Previous transformational projects include Community & Intermediate care and NHS 111 & Urgent care.

His passion lies in developing innovative solutions to tackle complex healthcare challenges, benefiting both patients and staff. Shanker was a previous EHI Award finalist for the “Best Use of Social Media in Healthcare”. Nowadays, he uses those skills to provide IT training for patients and staff.

As a GP since 2004, Shanker practices clinically in North West London. He values online patient feedback and one of the top rated GPs on iWantGreatCare.

Favourite Quote: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards” – Soren Kierkegaard

Shanker Vijay

GP Lead, Digital Transformation
London region at NHS England

Ragu Rajan

GP, PCN Clinical Director and Board Member
NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board

Join this session to hear discussions on how to get the best out of the next GP contract and what we would like to see in it.
10:35 am - 10:55 am

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

Interested in sponsoring?
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Main room

Networking and business meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:45 pm

Main room

Keynote panel – Enhancing access and collaboration: enabling neighbourhood care across the system

Dr Waqaar Shah is a clinical director at NHS London working on elective recovery and outpatient transformation in Ophthalmology. He is also a place clinical lead in SWL ICB, as well as being a GP in Wandsworth.

Waqaar Shah

Primary Care Clinical Director
NHS London

Dr Gary Howsam FRCGP FDSRCS MRCS
Gary is a GP Partner in Peterborough, Chief Clinical Improvement Officer at NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB, and an active member of the NHS Assembly.
Gary was Clinical Chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG (2016- 2022) and is a former Vice Chair (External Affairs) of the Royal College of General Practitioners (2019-2022). He has also served as a member of the Council of the Academy of Royal Colleges.
Gary has worked in salaried, Partner, trainer and Out of Hours GP roles since 2005 and was a founding director of the local GP Federation (Greater Peterborough Network) in 2015.

Gary Howsam

Chief Clinical Improvement Officer
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System

Brandie Deignan

Chief Executive
Pier Health Group, North Somerset

Dharmesh Patel is Chief Executive of Primary Eyecare Services, a not-for-profit primary care provider at scale for eye care. An optometrist by background, he was past chair and a current member of the Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Collaborative, historically been involved with local optical committees and a past chair of both the GM Local Eye Health Network and the Eyecare Trust. He is also a trustee of SeeAbility.

Dharmesh Patel

Chief Executive
Primary Eyecare Services

Amit Patel brings a wealth of experience from senior NHS and provider roles, guided by a values-driven leadership ethos centered on understanding stakeholders’ values and fostering positive change.
His current roles as Chief Executive Officer at Community Pharmacy South West London, Advisory Group member for community pharmacy at the NHS Confederation and as Treasurer for Community Pharmacy London highlight his dedication to improving healthcare outcomes.
Amit’s strategic approach and empathetic leadership have played a pivotal role in introducing innovative public health initiatives and providing counsel to influential healthcare bodies.
His genuine passion for community pharmacy reflects a deep-seated commitment to care and collaboration, positioning him as a respected speaker and valued board member committed to meaningful impact and success.

Amit Patel

Chief Executive
Community Pharmacy South West London

Lorraine Mattis

Chief Executive
University of Suffolk Dental CIC

Join this closing panel of leaders across all of primary care as they discuss establishing and maintaining strong ties necessary for a fully realised neighbourhood care model. These leaders will discuss how do they begin to integrate and...

Join this closing panel of leaders across all of primary care as they discuss establishing and maintaining strong ties necessary for a fully realised neighbourhood care model. These leaders will discuss how do they begin to integrate and partner with other organisations across primary care and what we can all take back to our organisations to improve ways of working straight away.
12:45 pm - 12:55 pm

Main room

Chair's closing remarks
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Main room

Networking lunch
10:05 am - 10:35 am

Breakout room 1

The Nursing workforce: an underutilised investment, not a burden

Estefania Costa, ‘Stef’, is the Regional Primary Care Nursing Workforce Educator Lead at NHS England, East of England, Workforce, Training & Education (WTE) Directorate. With over 20 years of nursing experience, Stef has worked across Primary and Secondary Care, held senior roles in management, leadership, academia, and led early digital innovations like EPR pilots in early ‘00s. Her career spans education, workforce development, research, scientific peer review, and strategic decision-making with significant contributions to Higher Education both nationally and internationally, including liaising with European Commission. Stef is passionate about future-proofing nursing education and multidisciplinary workforce, building sustainable, collaborative models to support & progress Primary Care.

Stef Costa

Regional Primary Care Nursing Workforce Educator Lead, East of England
NHS England

With 28 years in healthcare, I am a dedicated registered nurse with extensive experience across primary, secondary, and community care.
My clinical journey began in emergency nursing before I specialised in intravenous therapy, leading community services that supported patient-centred care at home. As a qualified prescriber and advanced clinical practitioner, I led a community-based team through the pandemic, safeguarding care quality and access.
Later, as Director of Nursing, I championed safety, quality, workforce, and sustainability.
Since joining the federation in 2025, I have focused on advancing excellence, collaboration, and innovation across primary care services to improve patient outcomes.

Carly Sheehan

Director of Nursing and Quality
West Kent Primary Care

Explore how to strengthen the nursing workforce through education, leadership opportunities, and supportive practice environments.
10:05 am - 10:35 am

Breakout room 2

Navigating the regulatory landscape to implement new tech and medicines in primary care

Manir Hussain

Deputy Director, Provider Assurance
UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI

Tafsir Ahmed

GP and AI Clinical Research Fellow
CERSI-AI, University of Birmingham

Hear from representatives from the MHRA and CQC on how to confidently navigate the complex regulatory environment governing innovation in primary care, from approval processes to practical compliance considerations.
10:05 am - 10:35 am

Breakout room 3

Community Navigation and outreach in Shoreditch

Jenny Darkwah

Clinical Director
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

Jennifer Craddock

Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

Sahir Ahmed

Social Prescriber and Male Isolation Lead
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

Adama Jatta

PCN Development Manager
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

Shoreditch Park and City PCN will demonstrate the community engagement projects assisting the PCN strategically manage their population’s health.

Day 1
Day 2

PCPN 2026 AGENDA

12-13 May 2026, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow

Delivering tangible solutions for real-world issues

PCPN 2026 AGENDA

12-13 May 2026, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow

Delivering tangible solutions for real-world issues

12 May 2026

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Main room

Registration

8:45 am - 9:00 am

Main room

Chair’s opening remarks

9:00 am - 9:40 am

Main room

Opening keynote panel – How do we work as one healthcare system?

Stephanie Cartwright

Group Director of Place for Walsall and Wolverhampton Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Mustafa Malik

Chief Executive Greater Peterborough Network GP Federation

Luvjit Kandula

Director of Strategy and Pharmacy Transformation Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester

Rupa Joshi

GP and Deputy Medical Director of Primary Care for South West Region / Transformation Lead NHS England / British Society of Lifestyle Medicine

9:40 am - 10:00 am

Main room

Headline sponsor presentation

10:00 am - 10:40 am

Main room

Dragons Den – Speed presentations

10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main room

Networking and business meetings

12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main room

Keynote address

12:25 pm - 12:45 pm

Main room

Platinum sponsor presentation

12:50 pm - 1:10 pm

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

1:10 pm - 1:50 pm

Main room

Networking lunch

1:55 pm - 2:35 pm

Main room

Opening the digital front door at scale and transforming the patient journey

Matea Deliu

Clinical Lead Primary Care Digital Delivery NHS South East London Integrated Care System

Asad Ashraf

GP, Chief Clinical Information Officer NHS North East London ICB

2:40 pm - 3:25 pm

Main room

Gold sponsor presentations

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Main room

Networking and business meetings

4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

Main room

Closing keynote panel – Optimisation of neighbourhood care: commissioning, contracting, and coordinating to enhance patient outcomes

Rakesh Marwaha

Managing Partner & CEO Erewash PCN & Erewash Health Partnership

Stephanie Cartwright

Group Director of Place for Walsall and Wolverhampton Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Joanne Hodgetts

Associate Director, Neighbourhood Health Wye Valley NHS Trust

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Main room

Hotel check-in/free time

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Main room

Drinks reception and networking dinner

13 May 2026

8:45 am - 8:55 am

Main room

Chair’s opening remarks

8:55 am - 9:35 am

Main room

Opening keynote panel – Readying your workforce and organisation for change

Dan Bunstone

Clinical Director of Warrington Innovation Network Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board

Tracey Vell

Group Director of Place for Walsall and Wolverhampton
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Chief Executive
Greater Peterborough Network GP Federation

Director of Strategy and Pharmacy Transformation
Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester

GP and Deputy Medical Director of Primary Care for South West Region / Transformation Lead
NHS England / British Society of Lifestyle Medicine

Clinical Lead Primary Care Digital Delivery
NHS South East London Integrated Care System

GP, Chief Clinical Information Officer
NHS North East London ICB

Managing Partner & CEO
Erewash PCN & Erewash Health Partnership

Group Director of Place for Walsall and Wolverhampton
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Associate Director, Neighbourhood Health
Wye Valley NHS Trust

Clinical Director of Warrington Innovation Network
Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board

Chief Officer
NHS Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board

Regional Primary Care Nursing Workforce Educator Lead, East of England
NHS England

GP Partner
St Wulfstan Surgery

Clinical Lead
Primary Care School Kent Surrey and Sussex

GP Lead, Digital Transformation
London region at NHS England

GP, PCN Clinical Director and Board Member
NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board

Primary Care Clinical Director
NHS London

Chief Clinical Improvement Officer
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System

Chief Executive
Pier Health Group, North Somerset

Chief Executive
Primary Eyecare Services

Chief Executive
Community Pharmacy South West London

Chief Executive
University of Suffolk Dental CIC

Regional Primary Care Nursing Workforce Educator Lead, East of England
NHS England

Director of Nursing and Quality
West Kent Primary Care

Deputy Director, Provider Assurance
UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI

GP and AI Clinical Research Fellow
CERSI-AI, University of Birmingham

Clinical Director
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

Social Prescriber and Male Isolation Lead
Shoreditch Park and City PCN

PCN Development Manager
Shoreditch Park and City PCN