RCN Acute Care Symposium 2026
From recognition to response: Managing the deteriorating patient
08 Jul 2026, 09:00 - 16:00
Choose event information:
Join us in person to get the latest updates on current, evidence-based care when managing the acutely ill patient.
Back by popular demand. Bookings are now open for the RCN Acute Care Symposium 2026
Symposium format: Hybrid
Delegates have the option to join us in-person at RCN HQ, London, with the added advantage of networking with peers, speakers and exhibitors or, alternatively viewing programme content streamed online via Zoom Events, with the facility to pose questions to our expert speakers.
See how effective, evidence based management of acute physical deterioration in health and care, in different clinical settings and specialities will be presented.
In-person places are limited, so book yours now.
Learning Outcomes
The Acute Care Symposium 2026 is themed ‘from recognition to response: managing the deteriorating patient’ and aims to:
1. Enhance understanding on the recognition & management of deteriorating patients
• Providing insight into the past, present and future of the early warning score used to detect the deteriorating patient.
• Enhance understanding of comprehensive and structured patient assessment of the deteriorating patient.
2. Gain insight into the patient and family experience
• Hearing first-hand perspectives on the lived experience of deterioration and critical illness.
• Reflecting on how patient stories can shape compassionate, person-centred care.
• Integrate patient and family viewpoints to improve communication and shared decision-making.
3. Understand current developments in Resuscitation, Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) and Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT)
• Update of recent changes to guidelines on advanced life support.
• Exploring the latest legal, ethical, and policy updates around DNACPR and ReSPECT decisions.
4. Apply specialised learning from Critical Care, Emergency and Perioperative breakout sessions
• Strengthening knowledge of managing complex deterioration in these settings
• Understanding time critical emergency presentations and optimising rapid assessment.
The conference is open to all nurses AHPs, NSWs, HCSW and Students working in the Acute sector in the NHS and Independent Health Care sector.
Preferential rates are available for RCN members. See the fees page for group discounts.
Testimonials from 2025’s conference delegates
• “Speakers were all fantastic. Lots of experience and engaging topics.”
• “Really enjoyed the day-fantastic day. Being face to face allows some good communication and talks”.
• “Apply my new knowledge throughout my degree and into practice”
• “Very well organised! Loved every moment”.
RCN Events team
RCNevents@rcn.org.uk
Join us online or in person at
20 Cavendish Square
Marylebone
London
W1G 0RN
20 Cavendish Square is located behind John Lewis, Oxford Street.
Visitor car parking
Q-Park Oxford Street is an underground car park situated underneath Cavendish Square. You can pre-book your parking by visiting the Q-Park website.
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.
Air
London has five major airports: London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and London Stansted.
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London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports have dedicated express train services into central London.
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London Heathrow and City airports are directly connected to the Tube network.
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National Express, Easybus and Greenline coach transfers run 24 hours a day and start as low as £2 when booked in advance.
About London
For more information on London as a destination please visit www.visitlondon.com; the official city guide to London.
Download the conference programme.
Download the conference programme (online attendees).
Please note these programme details and timings are subject to change. A final programme will be circulated prior to the event.
John Welch
John Welch is Consultant Nurse in Critical Care & Critical Care Outreach at University College London Hospitals. an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at University College London, and Theme Co-Lead at the NIHR Central London Patient Safety Research Collaboration.
John was previously President of the International Society for Rapid Response Systems, one of the authors of the NEWS and NEWS2 guidelines, UK lead of the EU Horizon 2020 ‘Nightingale’ wireless monitoring development programme, and National Clinical Advisor in Acute Deterioration at NHS England. While at NHSE, he was co-lead of the national Patient Worry & Concern Improvement Collaborative, the precursor to the current national Martha’s Rule programme. John was recently awarded an MBE for services to nursing and patient safety.
Simon Tippler
Simon began his NHS career in 1996 as an auxiliary nurse before being seconded into nurse training by his Trust, qualifying with a Dip HE in Adult Nursing in 2001. His career has spanned theatres and anaesthetic support at a busy district general hospital, a resuscitation officer and trigger response role, and more recently Emergency Medicine, where he now works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner. He completed his MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice in 2024.
He is currently leading several quality improvement projects including establishing nurse and HCA led UGPIVC in ED. He is an ALS instructor and in-house UGPIVC trainer, contributes to nursing and resident doctor teaching, and is a guest lecturer on an Anaesthetic Nursing course.
A few years ago he completed an Ironman (and is, by his own admission, still talking about it), though recently his focus has shifted to ultramarathons. He is part of the coaching team at his local children's triathlon club. He also wants to keep bees.
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Type |
Ex VAT |
VAT |
Inc VAT |
|
In-person |
|||
|
RCN Member |
£135 |
£27 |
£162 |
|
Non-Member |
£200 |
£40 |
£240 |
|
RCN Member: pre-reg student/HCA retired member |
£ 75 |
£15 |
£ 90 |
|
RCN representatives (25% discount) |
£101.25 |
£20.25 |
£121.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtual |
|||
|
RCN Member |
£ 80 |
£16 |
£ 96 |
|
Non-Member |
£120 |
£24 |
£144 |
|
RCN Member: pre-reg student/HCA/ retired member |
£ 48 |
£ 9.60 |
£57.60 |
|
RCN representatives (25% discount) |
£ 60 |
£12 |
£72 |
Join the RCN to be immediately eligible for the member rate
Discounts available (max one per booking) – redeemable via telephone/booking form only.
25% discount – Accredited RCN Trade Union 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 Events 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)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 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.
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 booking.
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
Exhibiting is a great way to:
Raise awareness of your company and its products and services
Connect with nurses from a wide range of specialities, across health and social care
Gather vital feedback and insights from those on the frontline
Build relationships with key contacts and leads in the nursing profession
Showcase your work and demonstrate new products
You have many choices available to promote your organisation – you can:
Run an exhibition stand.
Sponsor an educational session within the conference programme.
Support a conference as a headline sponsor.
Create branded merchandise such as bags, lanyards and signage.
If you are interested in getting involved please contact the exhibitions team on 020 7647 3959 or email exhibitions@rcn.org.uk
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 - 21/04/2026
