Overview

Successive reports have highlighted the need to improve capability, adopt common standards, introduce key performance indicators, implement better information systems, innovate, and improve the engagement of clinicians and other key stakeholders – all with the aim of helping NHS procurement raise its game and deliver sustainable efficiencies and is reflective of all the great work being done around the data tools, NHS Standards, Procurement Skills Development and much more.
This year’s HCSA Conference and Exhibition – the Past, Present and Future, will provide delegates with stimulating inputs and a lively atmosphere in which to discuss and debate the key issues. We are very conscious that the Conference will be taking place at a time when NHS budgets continue to be under considerable pressure and the expectations of NHS procurement to leverage further significant efficiencies have never been higher.
Why Attend
HCSA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2020 (HCSA Reunite 2020) will provide delegates with an ideal opportunity to:
Experts
Hear from a broad range of experts on how NHS procurement will meet challenges and seize opportunities while operating in such a dynamic NHS and economic environment.
Digitalisation
Learn more about how digitalisation of services can improve and shape the future of UK Healthcare
The Future
Find out what is happening to develop both the profession and its future procurement leaders while delivering further efficiencies.
Influential Audience
Network with a highly influential audience drawn from health care procurement, commissioning support and suppliers.
Procurement Partners
Hear from procurement partners about the challenges they face and how working more collaboratively can leverage better outcomes.
Commercial Thinking
Understand the latest commercial thinking across the health care sector.
HCSA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2020 Welcomes You
2020 is the HCSA’s Diamond Jubilee, we had events planned throughout this year that would celebrate the significant changes our organisation has seen over the past 60 years. Our theme for this year’s conference, “The Past, The Present and The Future” was aimed at highlighting how HCSA has morphed over those years to become the organisation we have today. We aimed to celebrate all the success of our NHS colleagues and to reflect on the changes our profession has seen. To showcase some of the key achievements delivered and to look forward to how we may yet develop even stronger ties with our wider NHS colleagues, clinicians, suppliers, industry specialists, and cross-government bodies. Embracing the learning and development that has taken place over past years and showcasing what is yet to come.
A Message to Our Members
From Mark Roscrow MBE, Chair of Trustees, HCSA

HCSA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2020 Welcomes You
2020 is the HCSA’s Diamond Jubilee, we had events planned throughout this year that would celebrate the significant changes our organisation has seen over the past 60 years. Our theme for this year’s conference, “The Past, The Present and The Future” was aimed at highlighting how HCSA has morphed over those years to become the organisation we have today. We aimed to celebrate all the success of our NHS colleagues and to reflect on the changes our profession has seen. To showcase some of the key achievements delivered and to look forward to how we may yet develop even stronger ties with our wider NHS colleagues, clinicians, suppliers, industry specialists, and cross-government bodies. Embracing the learning and development that has taken place over past years and showcasing what is yet to come.
March 2020 is a timeline none of us will forget, for lots of different reasons. As we are all too well-aware, Covid-19 has changed all of our lives significantly over recent months and continues to do so. We have seen some extreme lows and heard of many sad losses. We have witnessed true collaboration and comradery and formed strong bonds with many departments, suppliers, and organisations. We have seen our teams work tirelessly to support our front-line staff to keep each other and patients safe.
Without the unwavering support of all those aforementioned and involved across the NHS and wider public sector some of us would have struggled more than we did.
It is with great pride and gratitude that we salute and give immense thanks to all those involved across the NHS.
Our venue for HCSA winter conference for this year was to be The Manchester Conference Centre, however, this was morphed into the Manchester Nightingale Hospital along with other large conference venues across the country. We had hoped that we would be able to reclaim the venue and that by November we would be able to proceed with a live event. However, this is not to be and to keep everyone safe and to avoid any possible risk to attendees HCSA has decided to move our conference to a virtual event.
Through ground-breaking technology, the conference will be delivered as a live, interactive experience, whilst continuing to bring together a wealth of key decision-makers and leading suppliers from across the UK’s health procurement community.
Going live on 17 + 18 November, this innovative event will feature a range of product showcases, collaborative, networking and skills development opportunities, designed specifically to enhance knowledge, collaboration and opportunity.
Our annual HCSA Awards Ceremony will be interspersed throughout the second day of the conference, showcasing submissions and announcing Highly Commended and Winners on the day – a must-see event where we try to recognise all those nominated and celebrate their success.
WELCOME FROM THE CHIEF OFFICER
How time flies! In 2020 we proudly enter our 60th year as HCSA, continuing to deliver current news and updates for our loyal existing and emerging new members. We are delighted to be a recognised part of the changing procurement landscape in healthcare and your valued feedback supports us in providing networking opportunities for you, colleagues, members and suppliers.
This year for our Winter Conference we have a superb line-up of speakers joining us who are aligned to several topical and emerging themes. There are also a number of workshops to stimulate delegate interaction and debate.
At our 2019 Conference in November we tried a new method of audience participation and invited our delegate members to interact with the presenters live on Slido.com We received some great feedback using this communication tool and you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ll be using this again in November.
Our Conference continues to grow and evolve each year. Following this year’s release of the NHS Long Term Plan we will offer some thoughts of what the reality is as we look to address Healthcare’s Digital Gap, see how SMART digital solutions are transforming healthcare today and take a forward look at the future of Healthcare and the roadmap that will help us get there.
Each year we strive to improve on the content and what we offer our members at Conference. This year is no exception, and we have recognised that time and cost pressures continue to present challenges, so we want to ensure that your time away from the office is valuable and well spent. Therefore we have streamlined the programme and I hope we will continue to build upon the last couple of years, bringing you even more value as part of my fourth conference as Chief Officer of HCSA.
In 2020, my aim is to maintain and enhance what we offer, delivering the high quality standards that you should expect from HCSA as we embed our newly acquired charitable status. For Winter Conference we are returning to the beautiful Manchester, in the heart of the North of England. Members are welcomed from across the UK and we extend a warm invitation to you to join us.
It’s no co-incidence that this year’s conference theme is The Past, Present and Future. Changes are here and happening and we know from experience that they can work better when co-delivered. There continues to be an “important role” for trust-based procurement staff and much progress has been made over the past few years to bring commercial ownership and accountability to our organisations under a common framework that we have built together, promote together, and share together. As NHS procurement takes centre stage over the coming years and we see digital transformation evolve, we must consider how the workforce can adapt and upskill to be ready for new technology solutions.
Join us at Conference; take in the atmosphere and content, network with colleagues, work hard as you learn new things, soak up the information provided, enjoy and join the debate. Our aim is to equip you to return to your organisation energised and positive ready for the changes and transformation of NHS Procurement.
Alan Hoskins
Chief Officer HCSA
Event Organisers
The HCSA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2020 (HCSA Reunite) is organised jointly by the HCSA Executive Team and BiP Solutions.
BiP understands the public and government marketplace better than anyone.
We are the trusted service provider for some of the most successful and effective exhibitions and conferences in the procurement sector and we provide buyers and suppliers across the whole procurement community with expert training and continuous professional development (CPD).
Your organisation can benefit from our 36 years’ experience of providing market-leading services to public procurement professionals and the businesses that bid and tender regularly.
From national events such as the Procurex Live series to regional or local buyer and supplier workshops and industry awards ceremonies, BiP caters for every type of organisation and delegate.
Tel: 0141 332 8247
Fax: 0141 331 2652/2792
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.bipsolutions.com / www.bipcorporate.com