Conference Agenda
Day 1 – Tuesday 28th April 2026
07:45 – 09:00
Exhibition Halls
Registration, Coffee & Networking
09:00 – 09:10
Imperial
Chairs Introduction
Rose Gallagher – Professional Lead Sustainability – Royal College of Nursing
09:10 – 09:50
Imperial
20 years of IPC Inquiries – Reflecting on the Role and Opportunities These Bring in 2026
The delivery of infection prevention and control faces new, evolving, and recurring challenges. These bring opportunities and challenges to this central element of patient/client safety. 2026 marks a pivotal moment for infection prevention and control as public scrutiny of decision making, governance, culture and learning once again provides an opportunity for evolution and advancement of this critical role and practise. In addition to publication of the Module 3 report of the UK covid-19 public inquiry on the impact of the pandemic on UK healthcare systems, 2026 marks 20 years since publication of the Stoke Mandeville report into C. difficile infection. This presentation will reflect on lessons identified in health-related inquiries and explore relatable learning for IPC for those delivering or influencing the prevention of infection in all care settings.
Rose Gallagher – Professional Lead Sustainability – Royal College of Nursing
09:50 – 10:25
Industry-Led Presentation – Imperial
Sustainable IV Antibiotic Delivery – Every Drop Counts
The aim of this session is to share knowledge and raise awareness about IV antibiotic under-delivery, an often-overlooked issue that occurs when residual volume remains trapped in the line of the administration set after the IV antibiotic bag empties. This can result in an under-delivery of between 20% (50ml bag) and 40% (100ml bag), potentially compromising therapeutic efficacy. The session will explore how and why this issue arises, review relevant guidelines on IV administration set line flushing, and highlight its significance within antimicrobial stewardship practices. This session will feature a critical appraisal of the current evidence along with a case study highlighting the benefits of introducing administration set line flushing, including reductions in single-use plastic, IV antibiotic prescribing and length of stay.
Claire Davies – Clinical Therapy Manager (RN) – B. Braun Medical
Phil Hazeldine – Clinical Therapy Manager (RN) – B. Braun Medical
Dr. Emma Baldock – Consultant Microbiologist – Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Ruth Dando – Head of Nursing Theatres – Critical Care and Anaesthetics – Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust
10:25 – 10:50
Imperial
The Scientific and System-Level Challenges Needed to Improve Infection Outcomes
Drawing on the AMR National Action Plan (2024-29), I will address the challenges, and potential solutions to improve infection management. The solutions will include both system / policy level changes and scientific interventions.
Prof. Mark Wilcox – National Clinical Director for Infection Prevention and Control & AMR Diagnostics – NHS England
10:50 – 10:55
Imperial
Questions & Answers
10:55 – 11:30
Exhibition Halls
Morning Coffee & Networking
11:30 – 12:00
Imperial
W1: The Anatomy of Disinfection Failure: Biofilm, Aerosols and Microbial Adaptation
Why do healthcare-associated infections persist even when “proven” disinfectants are used? This session deconstructs the critical gap between laboratory efficacy and clinical reality. We explore the “Anatomy of Failure” by examining three interconnected challenges: the physical resilience of biofilms, the occupational and efficacy risks of aerosolized spray applications, and the phenomenon of microbial adaptation.
Jedrzej Gromadecki – Marketing Director – Professional Hygiene – EMEA – Arxada
11:30 – 12:00
Ballacraine
W2: Preventing Harm, Reducing Costs: Economic Evaluation of a Glans-Adherent Device
Urinary incontinence affects around 30% of patients on acute NHS wards, with 12–26% of hospitalised patients catheterised during their stay, particularly males. Indwelling catheters can lead to catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which increase complications, length of stay and NHS costs. Patients unsuitable for catheterisation or condom catheters are often managed with urinary pads; however, pads are associated with adverse events such as incontinence-associated dermatitis and pressure ulcers. Men’s Liberty Acute (BioDerm XLS Oval) is a glans-adherent external urinary device designed for patients unsuitable for condom catheters, including those with retracted anatomy. An early economic evaluation was conducted to assess its cost-effectiveness in UK acute care.
Jo Rumary – National Continence Nurse Advisor – iMEDicare – Pelvic Health Naturally
11:30 – 12:00
Bracebridge
W3: Better Test = Better Flow
An IPC Lead’s perspective on how their laboratory’s adoption of a broad panel syndromic PCR Gastrointestinal assay improved their patient flow. When the laboratory routinely tests for C. Diff and Norovirus for all samples In-patient, Community or GP: what is the impact on IPC practise and how has this novel approach impacted on ward management practises.
Amelia Floresca – Head of Infection Prevention and Control – Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
12:00 – 12:05
Transition
12:05 – 12:35
Imperial
W4: Cutting SSI Rates, Not Corners
Join us for a focused look at how smarter wound care can reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) without adding complexity. We’ll spotlight real world results using Leukomed® Sorbact®, showing how its bacteria binding technology helps lower SSI rates, improve patient outcomes, support more efficient postoperative care and reduce costs. We’ll also highlight the wider impact on how preventing SSIs can cut resource use and reduce the overall carbon footprint, helping hospitals move toward sustainability goals while maintaining high quality care. Discover practical, evidence based ways to achieve safer wounds and greener outcomes without cutting corners.
Dr. Ross Lathan – NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow & Greener Surgery NHS/ NIHR Sustainability Fellow – National Institute for Health and Care Research
12:05 – 12:35
Ballacraine
W5: Beyond Alcohol: Advancing Hand Hygiene with Hypochlorous Acid
This presentation introduces a new high-purity hypochlorous acid (HOCl) platform, delivering unprecedented stability and concentration, enabling broader applications. Building on this foundation, we describe the development of a novel, alcohol-free disinfecting handrub formulated with our HOCl as the active ingredient. We will present efficacy data demonstrating rapid antimicrobial activity against microorganisms in accordance with multiple EN standards, including compliance with EN 17430 virucidal handrub against norovirus. Attendees will gain insight into the product’s performance profile, safety advantages, and practical benefits – including use in mental health, paediatric, and other vulnerable care settings where alcohol-free alternatives are desirable to support current IPC hand hygiene strategies.
Dr. Jamie Hawkes – Chief Scientific Officer – Supra Perfecta UK NHS Team
12:05 – 12:35
Bracebridge
W6: Nasal Photodisinfection: Addressing the Hidden Costs of HAIs
Ondine Biomedical will present the clinical rationale and practical implementation of nasal photodisinfection to reduce infection risk and address the hidden operational and clinical costs associated with HAIs. It will also review real-world outcomes from numerous hospital deployments and provide an overview of the LANTERN US Phase 3 clinical study evaluating nasal photodisinfection for presurgical infection prevention.
Dr. Nicolas Loebel – President & Chief Technology Officer – Ondine Biomedical
12:35 – 13:45
Exhibition Halls
Afternoon Lunch & Networking
13:45 – 14:15
Imperial
W7: Infection Surveillance in Critical Care
This workshop will present the importance of infection surveillance in critical care. There will be a focus on the Infection in Critical Care Quality Improvement Programme (ICCQIP) that performs surveillance of bloodstream infections. Presentation will include current surveillance and future directions.
Dr. Tom Hellyer – Clinical Senior Lecturer – Honorary Consultant – Critical Care Medicine – Newcastle University
13:45 – 14:15
Ballacraine
W8: High Consequence Infectious Diseases
High Consequence Infectious Diseases PPE the myths, the do’s and the don’t forget the basics
Marie-Claire Hoyle – High Consequence Infectious Diseases Networks Coordinator – NHS England – Highly Specialised Services
13:45 – 14:15
Bracebridge
W9: Outbreak Management: Infection Prevention and Control Specialist Role
Infection prevention and control related learning outcomes from outbreak management
Anu Binu – Assistant Director of Midwifery and Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control Department – Rotunda Hospital – Dublin
14:15 – 14:25
Transition
14:25 – 14:50
Imperial
How to Prevent Development of Clostridioides Difficile Infections in Susceptible Individuals
Prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in susceptible individuals requires a multifaceted strategy targeting host risk factors, gut microbial disruption, and environmental exposure. Key preventive measures include antimicrobial stewardship, preservation and restoration of the gut microbiota, infection prevention and control measures, risk stratification and targeted prophylaxis and optimizing host defences. The disappointing results from recently completed vaccine studies have heightened interest in gut microbiome–based interventions, including live biotherapeutic products and faecal microbiota transplantation, which will be discussed in greater detail.
Ed Kuijper – Emeritus Professor of Experimental bacteriology – Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases at LUMC – Leiden
14:50 – 15:20
Imperial
Antifungal Resistant Fungi in a One-Health Context: Global Challenges and Perspectives
Fungal infections now cause more attributable deaths that those due HIV, TB and malaria combined, and cause suffering and major health care costs associated with recurrent or chronic morbidity. This global health burden is exacerbated by the rise of drug resistance across common clinically relevant fungal species and the emergence of several new drug resistance species that were unknown as clinical pathogens until recently. This presentation will provide a one-health analysis of the rise of Candida auris, drug resistant dermatophyte species and other fungi, and the possible contribution of climate change and changing socio-economic factors to the evolution of these new health threats.
Prof. Neil Gow – Professor – MRC Centre for Medical Mycology – University of Exeter
15:20 – 15:25
Imperial
Questions & Answers
15:25 – 16:00
Exhibition Halls
Afternoon Coffee & Networking
16:00 – 16:25
Imperial
Pee-in-Pot (PiP) – A sustainable Alternative for Midstream Urine (MSU) Collection to Other Methods
The Pee-in-Pot (PiP) is an innovative alternative to traditional sterile plastic vessels for midstream urine (MSU) collection, designed to improve compliance, improve workflow efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Developed by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with Polyco and supported by NHS Supply Chain, PiP uses Thermofibre technology—a blend of bamboo fibre and sugarcane pulp—to deliver microbiological safety equivalent to single-use plastics without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
Tracey Doolan – Infection prevention and Control Nurse – Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Nick Burns-Cox – Consultant Surgeon – Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
16:25 – 16:50
Imperial
Sustainability in IPC Practice Across Diverse Healthcare Settings
David Renard – Sustainable Medical Practices Advisor – Médecins Sans Frontières – Doctors Without Borders
16:50 – 17:00
Imperial
Questions & Answers
17:00
Close of Day 1
Day 2 – Wednesday 29th April 2026
07:45 – 09:00
Exhibition Halls
Registration, Coffee & Networking
09:00 – 09:05
Imperial
Chairs Introduction
Rose Gallagher – Professional Lead Sustainability – Royal College of Nursing
09:05 – 09:30
Imperial
Point of Care CRP Testing in Primary Care
Point of care (POC) C reactive protein (CRP) testing may improve antimicrobial stewardship in primary care by supporting antibiotic decisions for acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) including infective exacerbations of COPD (IECOD), but real-world impact may depend on implementation.
Dr. Charlotte Jones – Primary Care Clinical Lead for IPC – Reducing HCAI and Antimicrobial Stewardship – Uplands Surgery
Dan Robbins – Antimicrobial Pharmacist – Swansea Bay University Health Board
Clare James – Deputy Head of Nursing Primary Care – Swansea Bay University Health Board
09:30 – 09:55
Imperial
The Sink Splash Zone
Environmental reservoirs and transmission risks in critical care
The role of human factors and engineering controls in reducing infection risk
Lessons learned from investigating splash zones and water outlet contamination
Dr. Mark Garvey – Consultant Clinical Scientist – Director of the Hospital Infection Research Laboratory – Clinical Director of IPC – University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
09:55 – 10:20
Imperial
Water Wise Care in NNU : A Collaborative Approach to Tackle Infections in High Risk Patients
There is increasing evidence of role of handwashing sinks and outlets in antibiotic resistant Gram negative infections within adult ICUs, however, it is a challenging concept in neonatal units. Risk from water and wastewater systems are not appropriately assessed in terms of risk to premature infants and late onset sepsis. This presentation talks about our journey to terminating outbreaks and reducing colonisation of gram negative bacteria in our neonatal units, understanding the barriers, collaboration with multiple stakeholders, buy in from executives and a change in culture that prevention always works better than cure.
Dr. Kavita Sethi – Consultant Microbiologist – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
10:20 – 10:45
Imperial
Challenges in Evaluating High-Level Disinfectants Against Biofilms
High-level disinfectants play an important role in reducing microbial pathogens or contaminants to a level considered safe. The term high-level disinfectant (HLD) is generally associated with the decontamination of semi-critical medical devices, but it is now more widely used to describe products that are effective against all microorganisms, including bacterial endospores, although not necessarily prions.
Chemistries that support a high-level disinfection claim are typically highly reactive, primarily oxidising or alkylating agents. This contrasts with less reactive chemistries, including the majority of disinfectants currently in use, such as those based on quaternary ammonium compounds, phenolics, alcohols, and biguanides.
Many factors can influence the efficacy of HLD. Some relate to the formulation and delivery of the HLD itself, while others are associated with how the product is used in practice. One important factor is the type of target organism and, crucially, whether it is present within a biofilm. An HLD may be more than 1,000 times less effective against bacteria embedded within a hydrated biofilm than against planktonic bacteria in suspension. Unfortunately, in Europe there are currently no standardised efficacy tests for biofilms, which makes the evaluation of product performance challenging.
This presentation will discuss the factors that influence HLD efficacy in practice, particularly in relation to applications aimed at eliminating hydrated biofilms, and will consider their relevance for in situ use.
Prof. Jean-Yves Maillard – Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology – Cardiff University
10:45 – 10:55
Imperial
Questions & Answers
10:55 – 11:30
Exhibition Halls
Morning Coffee & Networking
11:30 – 12:00
Imperial
W1: Drains: Transmissions of Infections and Disinfection
This session explores the role of drains as persistent reservoirs of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, examining the science behind biofilm formation and the unique challenges it poses for disinfection in healthcare environments. Drawing on the latest evidence, we’ll review current decontamination strategies and make the case for structured, evidence-based drain management, with a particular focus on the characteristics that make an effective drain disinfectant.
Dr. Phillip Norville – Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Dr. Jon Otter – Director of IPC & Consultant Clinical Scientist – Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
11:30 – 12:00
Ballacraine
W2: Continuous Disinfection or Continuous Compromise? Solving the Occupied-Space Challenge
Healthcare environments are continuously contaminated by the very people they are meant to protect—yet most disinfection technologies switch off when spaces are occupied. This presentation challenges the status quo of episodic cleaning, UV shut-downs, and chemical dependency, asking a simple but critical question: are we truly disinfecting, or continuously compromising? Drawing on independent laboratory data and real-world clinical environments, this session explores the occupied-space gap in infection control and introduces a new paradigm of continuous, human-safe disinfection through light. The session will unpack why traditional approaches fail at the moment risk is highest—and how visible-light, multi-frequency disinfection can reduce microbial load in real time, without disrupting care, workflow, or safety.
Omar El Fata – Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) – Biovitae
11:30 – 12:00
Bracebridge
W3: The World (and your Health Facility) is a Dirty Place, Is Your Institution Managing the Risks?
Patient Care is the greatest risk arising from poor disinfection and sanitization practices. Right or Wrong?
Anyone with an interest in Infection Control would answer “Right”. Whilst undoubtedly true when viewed through a single lens, it is important to appreciate that perhaps the whole answer lies somewhere in a grey middle of competing tensions.
In this presentation, Bill Hovey (President & CEO of Airandé) will speak to the complex web of relationships that comprise the totality of institutional risks that can be managed and mitigated through a multi-lensed approach to disinfection and sanitization.
The risks to be considered include: patient care; existing and emergent pathogens; institutional financial distress; staffing pressures; and reputational risk.
Bill Hovey does not wave a “magic wand”. But he offers a perspective drawing on a range of technological disciplines. The intended outcomes of this are: reduced hospital-acquired infections; reduced staff absenteeism; greater productivity; rapid ROI; and enhanced individual and reputational well-being.
Bill Hovey – President & CEO – Airandé
12:00 – 12:05
Transition
12:05 – 12:35
Imperial
W5: Infection Prevention & Control: Are Human Beings the Problem or the Solution?
Human Beings make errors, they make mistakes, sometimes they choose not to follow procedures. They can be random, unpredictable, unreliable and fallible. Sometimes their actions or inactions contribute to an incident or accident. However, Human Beings are also clever, insightful, empathic, innovative and resourceful. They make adaptations and concessions and choose workarounds for unexpected events. Sometimes their actions or inactions prevent an incident or accident from happening.
So how do we make it easy for people to do the right thing and hard to do the wrong thing?
Ross has spent many years working in safety critical environments, learning from incidents, accidents and successes in the work place. The behaviours that he has observed provide a fascinating insight into the human condition that affects us all. As the CEO of a small business, Ross and his team provide Human Performance and Human Factors training to many different organisations around the world. His talk at the IPC Conference provides a light-hearted, interactive and powerful reminder that all of us are both imperfect and ingenious at the same time.
Ross’s talk presents an opportunity to engage with human performance experts in order to better understand how the subject relates to the challenges that Health Boards are seeing across IPC.
Ross Priday – CEO – GMR Human Performance
12:05 – 12:35
Ballacraine
W4: Indoor Air Hygiene: Reducing Aerosol Transmission of Respiratory Infections
Respiratory tract infections remain difficult to avoid in daily life and contribute substantially to global morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence indicates that many respiratory pathogens are transmitted predominantly through aerosols, while droplet transmission plays a smaller role than previously assumed. This shift highlights the importance of microbial safety in indoor air. Implementing effective indoor air hygiene strategies is therefore essential to reduce transmission in healthcare facilities, workplaces, and public environments. Such strategies must also consider practical approaches for retrofitting older buildings while balancing energy efficiency and emissions, ensuring that improvements in indoor air quality are both sustainable and broadly applicable.
Dr. Andreas Wieser – Associate Professor & Medical Doctor Specialist for Medical Microbiology, Virology, Infectious Disease Epidemiology – Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine- Munich
12:05 – 12:35
Bracebridge
W6: Cutting Waste, Not Safety: Driving Sustainable IPC Through the Gloves Off Campaign
This session explores practical ways to create opportunities for sustainability in IPC by examining how initiatives such as the Gloves Off campaign can reduce environmental impact, identifying both the opportunities and challenges involved in supporting greener healthcare, and sharing lessons learned from implementing sustainable change within a busy NHS Trust.
Ashley Flores – Director of Infection Prevention & Control – King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
12:35 – 13:45
Exhibition Halls
Afternoon Lunch & Networking
13:45 – 14:10
Imperial
The Role of Ventilation in Reducing Infection Transmission in Healthcare Environments
This will be an update on the indications and value of ventilation systems in healthcare, following what we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hilary Humphreys – Emeritus Professor of Clinical Microbiology & Senior Clinical Educator – Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
14:10 – 14:35
Imperial
Unravelling the Mess that is Mask Efficacy Research: An Introduction to Mechanism-Informed Evidence Synthesis
The question of whether masks work to reduce transmission of respiratory infections, and whether respirators work better than ordinary masks, is mired in controversy. This is because much published research (including many systematic reviews) overlooked the mechanistic science which should underpin the design and testing of interventions. This lecture will report new interdisciplinary work funded by the UKRI to show how a mechanism-informed approach to systematic review allows a more nuanced interpretation of the evidence. Masks work if worn, and respirators work better than masks, but many studies had fatal design flaws which biased the observed effect toward the null.
Prof. Trish Greenhalgh – Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences – University of Oxford
14:35 – 14:45
Imperial
Questions & Answers
14:45 – 15:15
Exhibition Halls
Afternoon Coffee & Networking
15:15 – 15:45
Imperial
Ask the Wrong Questions, Get the Wrong Answers: How Choosing the Right Approach to Environmental IPC Investigations is Key to Informing Practice
Environmental infection control is key to providing a safe setting for patient care. The organisms and transmission routes (surface, water, and air) hold many similarities with person centred spread but do however also share distinct characteristics. Using the same approaches to investigate environmentally mediated events can therefore bring uncertainty rather than clarification. This session will discuss:
– Types of environmental outbreaks
– Tools for investigation
– Key differences in interpretation
– Interventions for consideration
Prof. Elaine Cloutman-Green – Consultant Clinical Scientist/Infection Control Doctor/Trust Lead Healthcare Scientist – Great Ormond Street Hospital
16:45 – 16:00
Imperial
Chairs Closing Remarks
Rose Gallagher – Professional Lead Sustainability – Royal College of Nursing
16:00 – 16:20
Imperial
Questions & Answers
16:20
Close of Day 2