RCN Nurse-Led Innovations and Quality Improvement Conference 2026
17 Nov 2026
Choose event information:
Book now for this inspiring debut conference
Join us on 17 November and take the next step in leading meaningful quality improvement and innovation in your workplace.
Why this matters
Frontline nurses drive innovation every day. Small changes in practice can significantly improve patient care, teamwork, and service delivery. This conference recognises and strengthens the vital role nurses play in shaping safer, more efficient, and more compassionate healthcare.
Learning outcomes
• Demystify quality improvement: Understand what quality improvement is and how simple changes can create meaningful impact.
• Practical tools: Gain strategies and resources to initiate and lead quality improvement and innovation projects.
• Real success stories: Learn from small-scale projects that have transformed services and improved patient care.
• Empower change: Leave with the confidence and motivation to drive improvements that benefit patients, the profession, and the wider health care system.
Who should attend
Band 5–6 nurses from across the UK who want to learn, collaborate, and be inspired—whether you’re new to quality improvement or already leading projects.
Book now
As we launch this exciting debut conference, attendees are given the opportunity to benefit from a special introductory rate. Available for the first conference only, book now to secure this exclusive discount.
RCN Events
RCNEvents@rcn.org.uk
02076473577
20 Cavendish Square
Marylebone
London
W1G 0RN
20 Cavendish Square is located behind John Lewis, Oxford Street.
Tube
The nearest stations are Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
Bus
There are many buses routes that stop nearby, including the 10, 25, 55, 73, 98 and 390.
By air:
Heathrow Airport / City Airport – less than 30 minutes away
By car:
20 Cavendish Square is easily accessible from the M1 and M40 and is within London’s ULEZ and Congestion Charge zones.
The nearest car park is Q-Park Oxford Street and located under Cavendish Square.
Accessibility
We are big on equality & inclusion, and we strive to ensure everyone has the most enjoyable experience while attending an event at the venue. We believe in providing equal opportunities and access regardless of ability:
Step free access to all event spaces and meeting rooms
A ramp for stage access
Height adjustable lectern
Accessible toilets on each floor
Induction loop on request
Two wheelchair friendly passenger lifts
Strobe fire alarms and audible voice synthesisers in the lifts
Evacuation chairs
Assistance dogs are welcome
If you have any questions or an access requirement not included here, please just get in touch on +44 (0)207 6473577 or RCNevents@rcn.org.uk
The conference will run from 9am until 4.15pm, with refreshment and lunch breaks included.
The comprehensive programme includes keynote plenary sessions, a panel discussion and practical workshops, all with time for Q&A to offer the best possible engagement for attendees.
Please note the programme details are subject to change, a final copy will be circulated ahead of the conference.
Session summaries
The importance and value of YOUR nursing voice within quality improvement and care delivery
This session will explore the importance and value of the voice of nursing within quality improvement and service delivery. The impact of traditional nursing language and the over simplification of ‘care’ has been perceived as devaluing nursing. We will discuss the concept of being BRAVE and why it is ok to be proud of what nurses and nursing does and to speak up. You do power to make a difference.
Learning outcomes:
At the end of this session participants will:
• be able to identify passive language that is in use within their practice or service environment
• be able to describe clearly aspects of their work that could be improved
• identify the process and language that they could employ to empower their service/team to propose and engage in service improvements.
Making it happen: Practical insights from quality improvement leaders
In this session we will have the opportunity to hear from a Clinical Nurse Leader and a Community Based Quality Improvement Team. We will learn how they took an idea and made it a reality, with a focus on how they engaged and empowered individuals to make a difference within their working environment. Often we confuse quality improvement with large scale research and double blind multi centre studies. This is simply the not the case and the speakers will describe the validated Quality Improvement tools used within their work and commonly used within clinical nursing environments. Within this session there is specific time for the audience to ask questions thus applying the learning and themes to their individual work environment.
From Data to Difference: Harnessing AI to Drive Quality and Innovation in Nursing
Artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare delivery, but nurses remain underrepresented in the conversations that define how it is implemented. This workshop positions nurses not as passive recipients of AI, but as active leaders and innovators who can harness these tools to improve quality, safety, and outcomes. Drawing on real-world examples from the NHS, global health systems, and community care, delegates will leave inspired, informed, and equipped to take the first steps in leading an AI or QI project.
Learning outcomes:
• Articulate what AI is (and is not) in healthcare, and distinguish between different types of AI tools relevant to nursing practice and quality improvement.
• Apply a practical ethical lens to evaluate AI tools, including considerations of bias, patient safety, data governance, and the importance of human oversight.
• Reflect on the nurse's unique role as a leader in AI-enabled quality improvement, including how to initiate, advocate for, or critically evaluate an AI or QI project in their own context.
From idea to investment: How to secure funding for your project
There are different ways to make your project happen. Join Alison Leary to explore how.
We are delighted Professor Steve Hams MBE, MStJ, Group Chief Nursing and Improvement Officer at North Bristol NHS Trust will be chairing the day.
He will be joined by keynote speakers including Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu, Vice President and Fellow at Queens Nursing Institute, Terri Porrett, Co-founder of The Academy of Fab Stuff and Professor Alison Leary MBE FRCN, RCN Deputy President.
Speaker biographies
The importance and value of YOUR nursing voice within quality improvement and care delivery
Dr Terri Porrett PhD, MSc, RN
Co-founder of The Academy of Fab Stuff
Terri was a ward sister at St. Marks Hospital, before joining the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 1991 as a CNS in Stoma Care. Terri worked at the Homerton as a Nurse Consultant and was Clinical Director of the North East London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre. Terri led, with Prof Alison Leary, the development of www.apollonursingresource.com, an online resource to enable specialist nurses to articulate the value of their role and amplify the voice of specialist nurses. Terri is co-founder of The Academy of Fab Stuff www.fabnhsstuff.net a portal for sharing QI and service innovations. In 2026 Terri was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing.
From Data to Difference: Harnessing AI to Drive Quality and Innovation in Nursing
Mrs Michelle Vizard RN, SCPHN, V100, BSc, MSc, MBA
Clinical Transformation Lead / CNIO, Accenture UK & Ireland
Michelle Vizard is a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN), Queen's Nurse and current Florence Nightingale Foundation Senior Scholar. Michelle is a digital transformation consultant at Accenture UK & Ireland. With a clinical career rooted in community and primary care, Michelle brings frontline nursing expertise to the intersection of AI, workforce transformation, and neighbourhood health. She has senior management experience in an NHS acute trust and is a global health systems thought leader on digital change. Her particular passion lies in AI ethics and governance, and ensuring the nursing voice shapes the future of care. In addition to her nursing qualifications, Michelle holds a BSc (Hons) in Public Health and MSc in International Management (MBA accredited).
From idea to investment: How to secure funding for your project
Professor Alison Leary PhD FRCN FQICN MBE
Chair of Healthcare & Workforce Modelling LSBU; Senior Consultant WHO Europe; RCN Deputy President
Alison Leary MBE FRCN FQICN is a Professor of Healthcare & Workforce Modelling at London South Bank University and a Senior Consultant, World Health Organization Human Resources for Health Group. She works on the mathematical modelling of healthcare systems and workforces around the world, with her research focusing on safety critical industries/work. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing and Queens Institute for Community Nursing. She was awarded an MBE in 2019 for modelling safety in the English Football League. She registered with the NMC in 1996 and worked in haematology, oncology, palliative and pre-hospital care. She is a Trustee of the British Association for Immediate Care.
Full details on our all speakers will be provided shortly.
Secure your place now to take advantage of this opportunity.
Prices shown below include the 20% discount applied.
|
Type |
Rate (ex VAT) |
Rate (inc VAT) |
|
RCN Member with discount |
£108 |
£129.60 |
|
Non-Member with discount |
£160 |
£192 |
|
RCN Member: pre-reg student/HCA/retired with discount |
£65 |
£78 |
|
RCN Representative with discount |
£81 |
£97.20 |
Join the RCN to be immediately eligible for the member rate
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.
Please contact RCN Events Registration team at eventsreg@rcn.org.uk with any queries.
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)29 2054 6460. 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 by email.
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.
Request a Secure link
You can now pay for event bookings via secure link, please complete a booking form for each delegate (disregarding the payment section). Send the forms to eventsreg@rcn.org.uk, we will calculate the amount to be paid and email you the payment link from Elavon. The payment link will be valid for 7 days.
On receipt of your payment, we will book your space/s and send your delegate/s confirmation of their bookings.
To pay by invoice
To pay by invoice you must send all the below to eventsreg@rcn.org.uk.
• A copy of the official Purchase Order document from your organisation or company, addressed to supplier: Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN. We are unable to process your order without it, requisition orders are not accepted.
• Your Finance Department/counts 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
Eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
+44 (0)2920 546460
For any other queries relating to this conference please contact the RCN Events Team:
RCNevents@rcn.org.uk
+44 (0)207 6473577
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Page last updated - 11/09/2026
