Workshops 2026
We are pleased to welcome a wide range of speakers to the CHA National Conference 2026. Some colleagues are returning to share new learning, while others are joining us for the first time. Together they bring practical experience, insight and examples from community hospitals and wider community services.
This year’s workshops reflect our theme Community Hospitals: Integrating Care, Building Capacity. Sessions explore how community hospitals strengthen local systems, support person centred care and develop new ways of working with partners across health and care. We are also including contributions from our Special Interest Group in Q, which has met across the year and to share learning from best practice approaches.
For CHA National Conference 2026 Tickets - Book your place here
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The conference provides a strong CPD opportunity for staff working in community hospitals and community based services. Across the two days, delegates can attend up to six workshops, each offering practical learning and space for reflection. Attendance can support:
• NMC revalidation
• HCPC CPD requirements
• medical and AHP portfolios
• nursing and clinical support worker development
• wider professional and leadership development
On booking delegates can opt in to receive a CPD certificate through Certifier, which can be used as evidence for revalidation or professional portfolios. Certificates will be issued after the event.
How the Workshops Run
Workshops take place across three sessions:
• Thursday 7th May 2026 morning
• Thursday 7th May 2026 afternoon
• Friday 8th May 2026 morning
Each workshop is delivered twice to give you as much choice as possible. You can attend one workshop per time slot, with a total of six workshops across the conference. Places are limited and we will do our best to allocate your preferred choices.
Workshop options – Thursday 7th May (morning)
A. Community frailty: same day emergency care in community hospitals – a GP-led approach with the multi-disciplinary team
Speakers: Dr Liam Healy, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Tendai Mugariri, Clinical Lead and Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Witney Emergency Multidisciplinary Unit
B. From hospital to progressive hub – supporting communities now and into the future
Speaker: Marc Jobson, Head of Seachange, Budleigh Salterton
C. Innovation in healthcare support worker (HCSW) preceptorship and development
Speaker: Lucy Somerville QN, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and 2024 CHA Innovation and Best Practice Award Winner
D. Collaborative ACP practice in community assessment and treatment units (working title)
Speaker: Adrian Strain, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Clinical Assessment and Treatment Unit (CATU), Tewkesbury Community Hospital
E. Making the most of your League of Friends – contribution, impact and lessons learnt
Speakers: Dr David Pope, President, and Anne Salter, Chair of the Friends of Victoria Hospital, Wimborne
F. Improving nutrition in older people after acute hospital admission – transition from secondary care to intermediate care, rehabilitation, community and home
Speaker: Ines de Abreu, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, ICU Uckfield and Crowborough, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and CHA Committee Member
Workshop options – Thursday 7th May (afternoon)
G. Preventing and managing frailty: everyone’s business
Speaker: Professor Anne Hendry, Director, IFICs Hub in Scotland; Honorary Professor, University of the West of Scotland
H. NACEL: national audit data and community hospitals
Speakers: Dr Mary Miller, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Clinical Lead for the National Audit of Care at the End of Life (NACEL), and Joylin Brockett, Senior Project Manager, NHS Benchmarking
I. Integrated neighbourhood teams in Cornwall – wave 1 progress and lessons learnt
Speakers: Juliet Ferris, Place Director, West Integrated Care Area, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, and Sue Greenwood MBE, Modern Matron, Camborne Redruth Community Hospitals
J. Think delirium
Speakers: Johanna Barnes, Advanced Practitioner, Clinical Assessment and Treatment Unit (CATU) and 2024 CHA Innovation and Best Practice Award Winner, and Lucinda Williams, Ward Sister and Dementia Lead, Tewkesbury Community Hospital
K. Dementia care in the community: the role of Admiral Nurses
Speakers: Rachel Johnstone, Nationwide Clinics Programme Lead, Dementia UK, and Heather Penwarden, Registered Mental Health Nurse, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, and Chair of Dementia Friendly Honiton
L. Co-production in health and social care
Speaker: Jan Marriott, Gloucestershire Partnership Boards Co-Chair (with additional representatives to be confirmed)
Workshop options – Friday 8th May (morning)
M. Strengthening the rural workforce – international nurses in Powys
Speakers: David Farnsworth, Assistant Director, Community Services Group, Powys Teaching Health Board
N. The CHART network – strengthening research and collaboration in community hospitals (title to be confirmed)
Speaker: Dr Christine Burt, Director of Research and Innovation, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
O. Delivering same day emergency care locally – a community hospital perspective
Speaker: Sue Greenwood MBE, Camborne Redruth Community Hospital
P. Cubii seated exercise project – increasing physical activity on inpatient units
Speakers: Ami Cook and Debbie Poulston, Physiotherapists, Paulton and Bath Community Hospitals, and 2024 CHA Innovation and Best Practice Award Winners
Q. Using the ReSPECT emergency care and treatment plan in a community hospital setting
Speakers: Lisa O’Hara, Nurse Consultant for Palliative and End of Life Care, and Christine Penhale, ReSPECT Lead, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
R. Healthy workforces and the role of Professional Nurse Advocates
Speaker: Julia Fairhall, Community Divisional Director of Nursing, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust