UKCPA
Conference 2025

Interest in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care is growing rapidly, but if it is to be accepted and its benefits fully realised, it must command the confidence of patients, the public and NHS staff.

As AI tools become integral to diagnostics, treatment planning, and operational efficiency, this keynote explores the critical role of responsible AI in transforming healthcare, emphasising transparency, ethics, and safety, and earning the trust of both patients and NHS staff. Using recent findings from a Health Foundation survey, our keynote speaker will share how the NHS could make serious progress on responsible AI and help it reach its transformative potential.

This panel discussion will explore the evolving landscape of pharmacy professional leadership through the work of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB).

Established to strengthen the collective voice and influence of pharmacy professionals across all sectors, the UKPPLAB brings together key organisations to co-develop a shared vision for the profession’s future. Panellists will provide insight into the Board’s progress to date, including its priorities, principles, and ambitions to unify pharmacy leadership.

The discussion will highlight how this initiative aims to support professional development, improve integration across the wider healthcare system, and ensure pharmacy professionals are empowered to lead transformative change. Attendees will hear firsthand how the UKPPLAB is fostering a more connected, confident, and influential profession—and how individuals can engage with and shape the journey ahead.

We will be presenting the following awards:

• Inspiring Professional
• Exceptional UKCPA Committee Contribution
• Exceptional UKCPA Member Contribution
• Rising Star of UKCPA

Gain a deeper appreciation of the evolving scope of pharmacy technicians and the essential value they bring across diverse clinical settings in this dynamic panel discussion. The session will shine a light on the vital skills and expanding roles of pharmacy technicians within both the pharmacy team and the wider multidisciplinary healthcare environment.

Featuring experienced pharmacy technicians from critical care, infectious diseases, and care of the elderly, the session will explore how their expertise contributes directly to patient outcomes and team efficiency. Panellists will share insights into their day-to-day responsibilities, challenges they face, and how pharmacy leaders advocated for pharmacy technicians within their workplaces to enable safe, effective, and patient-centred care.

Research can feel daunting, but this interactive session is here to help. Aspiring researchers will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts for feedback on feasibility, impact, and next steps. This is more than a pitching event—it's a learning opportunity for all. Whether you're presenting or listening, you'll gain practical tips, inspiration, and support to move your research forward.

Expect a supportive atmosphere and the chance to connect with others passionate about progressing pharmacy practice through research.

This session shares findings from a national survey on the pharmacy workforce in women’s health, highlighting gaps, best practices, and opportunities for service development. Learn how benchmarking can support workforce planning, highlight best practice, and strengthen the case for investment in women’s health pharmacy services.

Do you feel stuck and would value guidance on your next professional steps?
We have a variety of coaches on hand at the conference to help you find clarity
and inspiration.

Pharmacist prescribing is on the brink of a major shift, with newly qualified independent prescribers expected from 2026 as part of reforms to initial education and training. But is the system ready? Do we have enough designated prescribing practitioners (DPPs)? And how do we ensure quality, safety, and sustainability as prescribing becomes the norm rather than the exception?

This timely panel discussion brings together key voices from across the profession to examine the current landscape and explore what's needed to support the next generation of pharmacist prescribers. From supervision capacity to governance, training, and workforce planning, panellists.

The adverse effects of immunotherapy in cancer treatment differ to those from chemotherapy. They can mimic a variety of autoimmune diseases and so it isn’t always apparent that these effects are caused by anticancer treatment. They can also present many months/years after treatment has stopped. It is therefore important for pharmacy staff with patient contact to have an awareness of these so called immune-related adverse effects. This session will give a brief overview of how immunotherapy works, how side effects develop and how they are managed.

This session is most relevant for secondary care pharmacists, but the session will bring awareness to pharmacy staff from other sectors.

Explore how pharmacogenomics can personalise treatment and improve outcomes. This interactive session uses real-world case studies to introduce key genetic concepts, clinical applications, and practical tools to support safer, more effective prescribing. Ideal for those new to genomics or looking to build confidence in this growing field.

Effective management of acute thrombosis doesn’t stop at hospital discharge—it requires coordinated, evidence-based care across the entire patient journey. This session will explore the safe and appropriate use of anticoagulants including low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), DOACs, and warfarin in the management of acute thrombotic events, with a focus on complex cases and real-world scenarios.

Through interactive discussion and case-based learning, the session will highlight practical strategies to reduce risk, improve prescribing safety, and ensure continuity of care. Whether you’re working in acute care, general practice, or medicines optimisation, this session will equip you with valuable insights to support safer, more effective anticoagulation management across settings.

In today’s complex healthcare environment, making safe, effective, and timely clinical decisions is more important—and more challenging—than ever. This keynote session will explore what it takes to make clinical decisions better, from strengthening clinical reasoning and applying evidence effectively, to managing uncertainty and collaborating across teams. Drawing on real-world examples and expert insights, the session will address common barriers to good decision-making and highlight practical strategies to improve decision quality in day-to-day practice.

Attendees will leave with renewed confidence, a toolkit of decision-support principles, and a deeper understanding of how to balance risk, evidence, and patient needs to deliver safer, smarter care.