Conference Agenda
Day 1 – Tuesday 28th April 2026
07:45 – 09:00
Exhibition Halls
Registration, Coffee & Networking
09:00 – 09:15
Imperial
Chairs Introduction
Rose Gallagher – Professional Lead Sustainability – Royal College of Nursing
09:15 – 10:05
Imperial
20 years of IPC Inquiries – Reflecting on the Role and Opportunities These Bring in 2026
Reflecting on the third report: systemic IPC gaps and future design
Rose Gallagher – Professional Lead Sustainability – Royal College of Nursing
10:05 – 10:40
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: Next Generation Infectious Disease Diagnostics
12:00 – 12:05
Transition
12:05 – 12:35
Imperial
W4: Cutting SSI Rates, Not Corners
Ashley Clydesdale – Brand Manager – Essity – Wound Care
12:05 – 12:35
Ballacraine
W5: Whole-Room Disinfection Innovation
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 Infection Prevention and Control – 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
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: Ensuring Antimicrobial Efficacy
12:00 – 12:05
Transition
12:05 – 12:35
Imperial
W4: UV Efficacy
12:05 – 12:35
Ballacraine
W5: Patient Isolation
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 – 15:40
Imperial
IPC Mandatory Training in Pre-Hospital Care
A bespoke solution to mandatory IPC training which is ambulance-operations focused, acknowledging specific IPC challenges in prehospital emergency and urgent care.
Adam Mann – Infection Prevention and Control Lead Clinician – South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Tamasin Davis – Infection Prevention and Control Manager – South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
15:40 – 16:10
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
16:10 – 16:20
Imperial
Questions & Answers
16:20
Close of Day 2