NHS ConfedExpo has established itself as one of the most influential events in UK healthcare. Bringing together thousands of healthcare leaders, NHS decision-makers, clinicians, policymakers and industry partners, the event serves as a platform for collaboration, innovation and practical problem-solving across the health and care sector.
The conference combines keynote presentations, policy discussions, workshops and a large exhibition showcasing technologies, services and solutions designed to improve patient care and operational efficiency. With healthcare systems facing growing demand, workforce pressures and financial challenges, NHS ConfedExpo has become a focal point for exploring how innovation can support sustainable transformation across the NHS.
Key Themes from the Exhibition Floor
This year’s exhibition highlighted several dominant trends:
- Artificial intelligence and clinical decision support
- Digital transformation
- Population health management
- Workforce productivity and wellbeing
- Virtual care and remote monitoring
- Data and interoperability
- Preventative healthcare
- Sustainable healthcare delivery
From global technology companies to specialist healthcare innovators, exhibitors demonstrated solutions aimed at improving outcomes while helping NHS organisations work more efficiently.
Featured Exhibitors and Organisations:
Red Circle AI: We exist to help leaders improve the NHS. We do this through informed decision making and evidence-based guidance. NHS Boards, C-suites and system leaders are facing enormous and growing challenges: improve health and health services; deliver better patient outcomes; increase productivity and achieve sustainable financial balance — and all with inadequate decision support tools.
Anatomage: Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Silicon Valley with a European R&D and support hub in Milan, Anatomage is a global medical technology company developing advanced anatomy, healthcare and education solutions used by universities, hospitals and clinics worldwide, recognised for its innovation, industry partnerships and commitment to advancing medical education and patient care.
Global Data Support:Â A strategic data partner for complex and rare diseases. Supported by a global infrastructure of multidisciplinary experts, delivering universe-based intelligence in an open and fully transparent framework.
Phagenesis Ltd: Retrain the Brain. Restore Swallowing Control. Phagenyx® improves swallowing safety and efficiency to accelerate recovery from post-stroke dysphagia.
Newmedica: Your specialist eye health clinic.
ID Medical: UK-leading healthcare solutions and recruitment. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes.
Agile Insourcing: Delivering a dynamic solution to help deal with your elective care backlog and waiting list challenges.
Kahootz: Secure Cloud Collaboration. The safest way to work across organisations online
NHS Benchmarking Network: Harnessing the Power of Data to Drive Meaningful Change. We connect organisations and data to drive measurable improvement and support confident, evidence-based decision making
Bevan Brittan: Bevan Brittan is a leading commercial law firm supporting the NHS with specialist legal advice.
Social Ability: The Happiness Programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative helping to change the lives of people living with cognitive challenges. We use interactive light technology to provide meaningful activities for residents and patients in care homes and care settings.
AVID: An online community created by The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute where you can share experiences, learn, connect, and work together with others who are shaping the future of ambient voice technology (AVT) in health and care.
Resmed: We’re leading the way in cloud-connected medical devices that transform care for people with sleep apnea, COPD and other chronic diseases. Our comprehensive out-of-hospital software platforms support the professionals and caregivers who help people stay healthy in the home or care setting of their choice.
mOm Incubators Ltd: A UK medical technology company developing neonatal incubator technology designed to support the care of premature and vulnerable babies.
Surgery Premises Group – Specialists in primary care premises, supporting GP practices and healthcare organisations with property-related advice and solutions. Their expertise helps practices navigate the complexities associated with healthcare premises, an increasingly important consideration as primary and community care services evolve.
MedicubeX – A Finnish health technology company developing self-measurement solutions designed to support preventive healthcare and make routine health checks more accessible. Its autonomous health-checking technology enables people to measure multiple health indicators, with the potential to support more efficient screening and monitoring while reducing demands on healthcare professionals.
Technology and Digital Innovation
Google – Bringing AI, cloud and data technologies to organisations looking to transform healthcare services and make greater use of data.
Accenture – Providing consulting, technology and digital transformation services to healthcare and public-sector organisations.
Heidi Health – Developing AI-powered clinical documentation technology designed to reduce administrative workload for healthcare professionals.
Microsoft UK – Providing cloud infrastructure, AI technologies, security and productivity tools used across healthcare and the wider public sector.
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Leaders
Eli Lilly and Company – A global pharmaceutical company developing medicines across areas including diabetes, obesity, oncology and immunology.
Novartis UK – Developing innovative medicines across a range of major disease areas.
Boehringer Ingelheim – A global biopharmaceutical company developing treatments across human health while supporting healthcare innovation and collaboration.
Johnson & Johnson – Combining pharmaceutical and medical technology innovation across a broad range of healthcare areas.
Sanofi – A global healthcare company developing medicines and vaccines across a range of diseases and health challenges.
Gilead Sciences – A biopharmaceutical company developing therapies across areas including virology, oncology and other serious diseases.
Data, Analytics and Population Health
IQVIA – Combining healthcare data, analytics, technology and research capabilities to support decision-making across healthcare and life sciences.
IQVIA exhibited alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS) at NHS ConfedExpo 2026, reflecting the growing importance of cloud infrastructure, data and advanced analytics within healthcare.
Workforce and Operational Improvement
DrDoctor – Providing digital patient engagement technology designed to improve communication, appointment management and interaction between patients and healthcare providers.
System C – Developing healthcare software spanning clinical systems, electronic patient records, social care and population health.
Infrastructure, Professional and Service Partners
Deloitte UK – Supporting healthcare organisations with strategy, technology, transformation and organisational change.
PwC UK – Working with healthcare and public-sector organisations across transformation, workforce, technology and organisational challenges.
Dining in Manchester
With NHS ConfedExpo bringing the healthcare community together in Manchester, the conversations and networking inevitably continued beyond the exhibition floor.
During our time in the city, we had the opportunity to experience two of Manchester’s standout dining destinations.
Tattu Manchester is located in Spinningfields and combines contemporary Chinese-inspired cuisine with one of the city’s most distinctive restaurant interiors. The Manchester restaurant was the first Tattu location and its design draws inspiration from body art and Eastern influences, with its signature cherry blossom forming a central part of the setting.
We also visited Fenix, which brings Greek heritage together with modern Mediterranean dining. The restaurant combines an experience-led setting with contemporary interpretations of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, making it another distinctive destination for dining and entertaining in Manchester.
Both provided an impressive setting for continuing conversations away from the exhibition and experiencing another side of Manchester during NHS ConfedExpo.
Why NHS ConfedExpo Matters
What distinguishes NHS ConfedExpo from many industry events is the opportunity to bring healthcare leaders together with technology companies, researchers, professional organisations and service partners to explore solutions to real operational and clinical challenges.
The exhibition floor also provides valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration between NHS organisations, suppliers, clinicians and policymakers.
The scale and diversity of the 2026 exhibition demonstrates just how broad healthcare transformation has become. Artificial intelligence and digital technology sit alongside medical devices, pharmaceuticals, workforce solutions, professional services, data, research and patient-focused innovation.
Looking Ahead
The future of healthcare will increasingly depend on the ability to combine technology, clinical expertise, data and operational excellence.
NHS ConfedExpo provides a valuable window into that future, showcasing organisations and innovations working across different parts of the healthcare system.
For attendees, the exhibition offers more than a showcase of products and services. It provides an opportunity to understand emerging technologies, explore potential partnerships and see how organisations are responding to some of the most significant challenges facing health and care across the UK.
