RCN Long-term Conditions Conference 2026
Tackling health inequalities in long-term conditions: Working together, turning vision into reality
17 Jun 2026
Choose event information:
Tackling health inequalities in long-term conditions: Working together, turning vision into reality
Delighted to announce this exciting debut conference.
As well as a stellar keynote line-up and panel discussion the conference has five concurrent streams for your choosing:
Cancer | Cardiology | Gastrointestinal | Mental Health | Respiratory
📣 Call for posters
Showcase your knowledge, research and innovative practice by submitting an abstract for poster presentation at the conference. If your abstract is successful you'll receive a 15% discount off your conference fee. See further details.
📜 Programme
View the programme
✔️ Conference learning outcomes
- Explore how social determinants of health contribute to health inequalities across major long-term conditions—including cancer, cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, respiratory, and mental health—and identify nursing-led approaches to reduce disparities in both primary and secondary care settings.
- Showcase innovative, evidence-based practices that improve access, experience and outcomes for under-served populations living with long-term conditions, with a particular focus on integrated care models and cross-sector collaboration.
- Amplify national nursing voice and collaboration with other healthcare professionals that support equity-focused care delivery, enabling professionals to influence service design and patient engagement across the healthcare system.
🎯 Target audience
The target audience includes nursing and healthcare professionals, particularly those in Bands 5–7, with an interest in long-term conditions (LTCs) and health inequalities. The event is open to both members and non-members.
RCN Events Team
rcnevents@rcn.org.uk
City Campus
Sheffield Hallam University
Howard St
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Please read the below information before submitting your abstract.
Showcase your knowledge, research and innovative practice by submitting an abstract for poster presentation at the conference.
Submit abstract (link coming soon - submissions open on 24 September)
Why present?
Benefits of presenting a poster include:
• a platform to showcase your work and your employer on a national level
• have your project / research recognised by your peers and receive constructive review and opportunities for future collaboration with like-minded professionals
• a learning opportunity to develop your communication and presenting skills
• demonstrate your initiative and commitment to the future of nurse education
• an excellent opportunity for networking, expanding your knowledge and promoting your work within the UK.
Who can present?
Whether you are a first time or experienced presenter, we want to hear from you!
We welcome submissions from nurses and practitioners working across all settings and levels of practice. This conference is open to RCN members and non-members alike.
⭐ Poster categories
The three poster categories we welcome abstract submissions for are:
- an impactful innovation in addressing health inequalities
- a project that showcases excellence in partnership working
- a patient-centred initiative.
Download the abstract criteria and guidance.
Key dates
| Call for posters opens | Wednesday 24 September 2025 |
| Call for posters closes | 5pm, Wednesday 19 November 2025 |
| Submitters notified of outcome | Week commencing 8 December 2025 |
|
Presenter booking deadline (15% discount) |
4.30pm, Friday 6 February 2026 |
How to submit your abstract
Before you submit your abstract, please ensure you have read the below abstract criteria and conference terms and conditions. If you have any questions, please contact RCN Events on rcnevents@rcn.org.uk or call 0207 647 3577.
Complete your online abstract submission, by 19 November. (link coming soon - submissions open on 24 September)
Read the abstract criteria and conference terms and conditions.
Read the poster guidelines.
Please note these programme details and timings are subject to change. A final programme will be circulated prior to the event.
Adrienne Betteley
Strategic Adviser for Cancer Care at Macmillan Cancer Support
Adrienne is a nurse by background and has worked in a variety of settings including care homes and hospital but most of her nursing career was spent as a District Nursing Sister and Practice Educator working in Cheshire.
Adrienne then went on to do a number of different roles which were all focusing on End of Life Care in a variety of settings such as a Primary Care Trust, Cancer Networks and Strategic Health Authorities. She also undertook some national work on Advance Care Planning as part of the team leading on Preferred Priorities for Care in England.
Adrienne was also a trustee at her local hospice for 4 ½ years and a trustee of Care2Save for 2 years. She was also an elected Board member for the North West RCN Board for 2 years from 2006.
In 2011, Adrienne joined Macmillan Cancer Support and has worked there in a variety of roles, mostly focusing on Palliative and End of Life Care. Her current role commenced in January 2024 as Strategic Adviser for Cancer Care, which is UK wide and provides expertise and advice internally and externally. Adrienne previously represented Macmillan on several national groups in England such as the Ambitions Partnership of which she was elected as co-chair from January 2019 to march 2025. As part of Adrienne’s current role, she is a core member of the team leading Macmillan’s strategic work on cancer and other long term conditions. She also remains involved in a UK wide programme around Transformational Leadership in End of Life Care and Social Investment in End of Life Care. Alongside this Adrienne is the Co-Chair of Macmillan’s Network for Employees With a Lived Experience of Cancer having had two cancers herself.
Dr Lesley Smith
Senior Programme Manager, Living With and Beyond Cancer
Lesley joined the NHS England Cancer Programme in 2018 and is leading the work to deliver the strategy on Living With and Beyond Cancer which includes implementation (via Cancer Alliances) of personalisation of cancer care, the redesign of follow up, and interventions that improve quality of life and use of NHS resources, such as psychosocial support, prehabilitation and physical activity across the cancer pathway.
Prior to this, she worked for Macmillan for 7 years on the consequences of cancer treatment, raising awareness of their impact on quality of life, and testing new service models and producing clinical guidance.
She is also a trustee at UK patient support charity The Pelvic Radiation Disease Association prda.org.uk
Dr Matt Kearney
Matt was awarded the OBE in the New Years Honours List 2025 for services to health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Dr Niloufar Nourishad
Dr Niloufar Nourishad is a Consultant Pharmacist in Adult Mental Health and the Director of the Pharmacy Education Programme at West London NHS Trust. She leads a psychopharmacology clinic within the Mental Health Integrated Network Teams (MINT) and contributes to the care of patients in high secure settings at Broadmoor Hospital. In parallel, she oversees research projects aimed at enhancing health literacy and optimising pharmacological treatment in the context of mental health disorders.
Luke Evans
RCN Public Health Forum Chair
Assistant Delivery Manager in Health Equity – Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Luke qualified as a nurse in 2012 and has since completed his Professional Diploma in Tropical Nursing and his Masters in Global Public Health. He has worked across various sectors including; local government, international medical assistance, pharmaceuticals, health innovation networks and the NHS.
He’s been published in the British Journal of Nursing and Primary Care Nursing journals. He has worked on various public health initiatives such as on the national team leading the Innovation for Health Inequalities Programme (InHIP) and performed a review of Health and Wellbeing roles within the NHS.
Luke is currently working in Health Equity, building the intelligence, infrastructure and interventions within his trust to deliver services so that they may provide equitable access, experiences and outcomes for their patients.
Luke joined the RCN Public Health Forum Committee in 2024 to raise awareness on the value of nurses working to improve systems and reducing inequalities.
Conference fees
|
Type |
Ex VAT |
Inc VAT |
| Poster presenter rate - Member (15% discount available until 6 Feb) | £114.75 + VAT | £137.70 |
| Poster presenter rate - Non-member (15% discount available until 6 Feb) | £170 + VAT | £204 |
|
Non-Member |
£200 + VAT |
£240 |
|
RCN Member |
£135 + VAT |
£162 |
|
RCN Member: pre-reg student/HCA/ retired member |
£75 |
£90 |
|
RCN representatives (25% discount) |
£101.25 |
£121.50 |
Join the RCN to be immediately eligible for the member rate.
Discounts available (max one per booking) - redeemable via telephone/booking form only.
15% discount - Poster presenter rate (available until 6 Feb)
25% discount - Accredited RCN representatives, forum steering committee members or any member that has been elected to undertake an official RCN role.
10% discount - Group discount when three or more delegates book together.
Conditions and exclusions
- Discounted offers cannot be combined. Only one discount can be used for each booking whether it is an individual or group booking.
- Discounts cannot be accumulated or redeemed when booking online. Please contact RCN Event Registration to book a discounted place
To make a booking
Online bookings are the easiest and fastest way to book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bookings can be made by phone with payment by credit card/Maestro, by calling +44 (0)2920 546460. Lines are open from 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Bookings can also be made via email with a downloaded booking form with credit card details or payment/remittance advice emailed to eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
All bookings will be confirmed in writing.
You will not be registered for this event unless payment accompanies your application. Places cannot be held provisionally.
The RCN reserves the right to refuse any booking at any time.
To pay by invoice
To pay by invoice you must send all of the below to eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
- A copy of the Purchase Order document from your organisation or company (we cannot process your order without it).
- Your Finance department/accounts payable contact email address to receive an electronic copy of the invoice from us.
- A completed RCN Events Booking Form for each delegate in the booking.
Once the invoice has been raised, you will then receive confirmation of your delegate booking on the event requested. Invoices are to be paid within 30 days of the invoice being issued.
View the event Terms and Conditions.
This conference and exhibition is an unrivalled opportunity to connect directly with nursing professionals from across the UK. See our Exhibition & Sponsorship Brochure for more information.
Opportunities are limited, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting new event.
Sponsorship
You can sponsor one of our five focused content streams, which will give you a platform to:
- Deliver your own educational session as part of the official programme.
- Connect directly with key decision-makers and influencers in your specialist field.
- Align your brand with cutting-edge developments in long-term care.
Conference streams:
Cancer | Cardiology | Gastrointestinal | Mental Health | Respiratory
Exhibition
- Join our exhibition and share your latest innovations and insights with this influential audience.
Please contact the exhibitions team on 020 7647 3959 or email exhibitions@rcn.org.uk.
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Page last updated - 16/07/2025
