Highlights
Keynote
Hear directly from Ruth Rankine, Director of Primary Care and Neighbourhood Lead at the NHS Confederation, as she takes a candid look at the 10 Year Plan.
Two streams
To cater to the different specialties within the sector, we have created two streams for a section of the day. Choose which breakout session you want to attend and you can always catch up on the other on demand!
Learnings
Join James Gransby, Partner at Azets, as he breaks down and analyses the latest contract announcements and what they signal for the future of General Practice and PCNs.
Pensions
Pensions remain a trending issue, and joining us will be Harold Dadson and Michelle Heginbotham from NHSBSA Pensions for an insightful update and Q&A.
CPD
Earn up to 7 hours of verifiable CPD by attending this event.
2026 Programme
Please note that the programme is subject to change.
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Chair’s opening remarks
Katie Collin, Chair, ICAEW Healthcare Community
- 09:30
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The 10 Year Plan – where are we now?
Ruth Rankine, Director of Primary Care and Neighbourhood lead at NHS Confederation will reflect on the original aims of the 10 Year Plan and the progress that has been made since it was launched including the challenges and the opportunities for primary care.
- 09:35
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2026/27 GP and Neighbourhood Contracts update and the future of PCNs
James Gransby, Partner, Azets will explain and analyse the most up to date contract announcements and reflect on what this means for the future of General Practice and PCNs. The 2026/27 contracts have been long awaited in light of the Government’s stated aims for the NHS which have been ambitious, but lacking in detail and so with the contracts being released they should provide more granularity to how GPs will need to navigate and adapt.
- 10:30
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Break
Following the break, sessions are split into two streams. You will be able to choose one of the breakout options available to watch at each time. Please note, all sessions will be recorded and available to watch on demand at a later date.
- 11:10
Choose from the following breakout sessions:
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Option 1: A Practical update on Making Tax Digital
Hayley Benn, Healthcare Director at MHA Baker Tilly offers a practical look at Making Tax Digital (MTD) and its impact on businesses and advisers from a Healthcare perspective. We explore case studies to understand how the first wave of implementation has so far unfolded, what has worked well, and the challenges that have emerged. Through these examples, we examine the key lessons being learned across the profession and how they shape best practice going forward.
- 11:25
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Option 2: NHS Property Services
Gain a clear, up to date overview of NHS Property Services and the latest developments shaping the primary care estate. Adam Thompson, Director at Primary Care Surveyors, will unpack current trends and practical implications for healthcare property strategy.
- 11:25
Choose from the following breakout sessions:
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Option 1: Care Homes – gold mine or time bomb?
Older Person Care Homes are currently attracting significant interest from investors, as the sector benefits from strong long term demand from our aging population, high barriers to entry (both Regulatory and construction costs), high margins in niche sectors and easy access to employees (especially in recessionary / low growth economic cycles). However, there are 3 warning signs that may well cause sector instability in 20 – 30 years time – current fertility rates, future house price movements, RPI & NLW vs Council Tax / NHS budget increases. Michael Butcher, Finance Director at Blackadder Corporation will explore how the next 20 – 30 years is currently likely to play out, based on current Government plans, and what implications this will have on Baroness Casey’s ongoing review into the Sector.
- 12:05
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Option 2: The GP partner journey – key business decisions from joining to exit
This session looks at the financial and business journey of a GP partner, from initially joining a partnership through to the main stages of practice life and then on to retirement. Pete Farrier Client Director - Healthcare, Forvis Mazars will cover the key decisions partners tend to face at each stage, the common risks and pressure points, and where early planning can make a real difference. The aim is to help partners understand what’s coming next and feel more in control of their working lives.
- 12:05
- Lunch break
- 12:40
Choose from the following breakout sessions:
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Option 1: VAT Essentials: Key Issues and the Road Ahead for E Invoicing
Stay ahead of emerging VAT challenges with a focused update on core issues and the anticipated impact of e invoicing reforms. Jack Castle will guide delegates through the developments shaping future compliance and operational practice.
- 13:20
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Option 2: Banking Update & When things go Wrong!
The healthcare funding landscape is shifting. This session delivers an update on current banking options for healthcare providers, then tackles the tougher conversation: what happens when things go wrong? Ian Crompton, Managing Director, Primary Care Finance Consultancy will explore real scenarios, warning signs that were missed, and practical strategies to manage both opportunity and risk.
- 13:20
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Things we've learnt this year: legal update with Oliver Pool
Oliver Pool, Partner at Veale Wasbrough Vizards, joins us for another year to share a legal update on a range of issues relating to GP clients which have been relevant this year
- 14:00
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AI in Healthcare: Transforming Finance and Administrative Functions
Explore how AI is reshaping finance and administrative operations across healthcare. Jenny Blewitt, Head of Finance for the Global Group at Costello Medical, will share practical insights on emerging opportunities and challenges.
- 14:35
- Break
- 15:20
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NHS Pensions update
This session will provide a focused update on the Public Service Pensions Remedy (McCloud) and its practical implications for NHS clients. It will cover the interaction between the remedy and the Annual Allowance, with detailed guidance on Remedial Pension Savings Statements (RPSS), expected timescales for issue, and the resulting tax reporting considerations. The session delivered by Harold Dadson and Michelle Heginbotham, Stakeholder Engagement Managers at NHSBSA Pensions will also explore the use of HMRC’s Digital Service in managing remedy-related submissions and elections, alongside a clear explanation of the NHS cost claim-back scheme, including eligibility and process. Delegates will gain practical insight to help them advise healthcare professionals accurately, manage compliance risk, and navigate the significant administrative and tax complexities arising from the remedy.
- 15:20
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McCloud & Pensions Update: Practical Guidance and Key Decisions
Get up to speed on the McCloud remedy with real world case studies, practical tips, and guidance on contingent decisions. Paul Gordon, Medical Specialist Financial Planner at atomos, will break down what finance leaders need to know for effective pensions planning.
- 15:55
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Chair’s closing remarks
Katie Collin, Chair, ICAEW Healthcare Community
- 16:25
- Event close
- 16:30
Conference Chairs
Katie is a Partner at Ramsay Brown, dealing with technical accounting and superannuation issues, and specialising in corporate matters within the medical sector. She also focuses on financial issues surrounding PCNs, including VAT, financial governance and liability management. Katie was selected as the leading accountant under 30 to represent the Institute internationally at One Young World in 2016.
Sally is a Medical Director at Morris Crocker specialist medical accountants with over 26 years’ experience in acting for GPs and the wider medical client base. Sally has acted for a large number of GP practices across the South of England of a range of size, type and structure. Sally regularly deals with the affairs of PCNs and client mergers together with the tax aspects of clients' affairs including exposure to NHS pension tax charges.
Guy is a Chartered Accountant with many years of experience working with healthcare clients in the primary care sector. The accounting and tax issues in the primary care industry have been growing in complexity and frequently change due to contractual adjustments and amended legislation. Guy enjoys understanding the fundamental issues affecting the industry and explaining the intricacies and nuances to his clients in a clear and accessible way, enabling them to make informed decisions.
Our Speakers
Hayley joined MHA in 2015 following the merger of her previous firm. She has 20 years’ experience working with a variety of businesses, dealing with accountancy, tax and advisory. In February 2022 she joined our Healthcare Team, bringing with her extensive experiences of tax and business development. She is one of the National Lead of our Making Tax Digital Team at MHA and will be responsible for assisting both clients and our teams to understand their obligations and putting them into practice. With this issue being so prominent for the Healthcare sector, Hayley is well placed to advise her clients and make the transition as seamless as possible.
Jenny Blewett BSc (Hons) FCA merges her passion for technology with a solid finance background. Starting with a Mathematics degree from Exeter University, her career began at PwC, subsequently transitioning into the technology sector and implementing Sarbanes-Oxley. After advancing to the NHS in Cambridge, she spearheaded various system upgrades and led the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards. Her work, utilising Visual Basic for financial process enhancements was peer-reviewed, and published by the National NHS Finance Innovation Board. Currently, as Head of Finance at Costello Medical Limited, Jenny champions the fusion of technology and finance, and is excited to develop AI's role in shaping the future of finance.”
Michael is Finance Director of Blackadder Corporation Limited, a family owned and operated Care Home group, specialising in complex dementia care for the over 65s. He combines frontline operational oversight with finance and long-term strategic planning, exploring how demographics, funding and workforce trends will reshape the Social Care sector, particularly where policy intent meets practical reality.
Ian's background is with Lloyds Bank. He established their award winning HealthCare team in 2024, and was the banks Head of HealthCare until he retired in 2019. He now works as an independent consultant and broker, mainly supporting GP practices with surgery finance.
A Stakeholder Engagement Manager for NHSBSA Pensions, driven by a passion for helping people feel informed, confident, and supported in their pension journey. With more than a decade of experience in pensions and a strong foundation in teaching, Harold believes in making complex information accessible to everyone—empowering employers, members, and advisers to navigate pension challenges with clarity. A proud advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, Harold brings empathy and authenticity to every connection he makes. Outside of work, he’s the devoted father of three wonderful children and a spirited—if occasionally long suffering—football fan.
Pete heads up Morris Crocker's very experienced Medical team, advising medical practitioners in all areas of their financial affairs including partnership accounts, superannuation, tax planning advice, incorporation and succession planning. Pete joined the firm in 2001. He has recently joined the AISMA committee as well.
Paul leads atomos’ healthcare team, where he uses insights from his more than 20 years’ assisting medical professionals with financial planning. He continues to speak around the country on the latest pension and financial planning issues being faced by the medical sector. At present there remains significant interest around the NHS Pension as the McCloud Judgement changes are starting to impact.
James has worked in the sector for over two decades and joined Azets in 2024 having held leading healthcare roles in his two previous Firms since becoming a Partner in 2009. James spends his time working with doctors and GP practices and writes for national publications on topical matters affecting GPs. James has also performed advisory work in areas such as premises developments, new models of care (particularly Primary Care Networks), succession planning and GPs entering partnership.
A Stakeholder Engagement Manager for NHSBSA Pensions with nine years of NHS Pensions experience. I value building strong, collaborative relationships with our stakeholders and draw on my knowledge and expertise to assist, support, and educate them across a range of engagement activities, events, and venues. I use my expertise to explain and clarify pension processes, I help stakeholders gain a clearer understanding of how these processes work, enabling them to confidently interpret and manage the pension related issues they are responsible for. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family — including her two sons and two grandsons — and loves staying active through cycling.
Oliver has been acting for GP practices since 2005 and has been involved in drawing up or amending well over 500 GP partnership deeds. He advises GP practices and helps with all aspects of the partnership relationship, from putting in place the GP partnership deed, to advising on its terms, to dealing with disputes between partners. He also routinely advises on GP mergers and the creation of super partnerships and other new structures for GP practices.
Ruth is Director of the Primary Care Network at NHS Confederation and leads on neighbourhood health for the organisation. The NHS Confederation is the national membership organisation which represents the whole of the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Prior to joining the Confed, Ruth worked in a range of strategy and operational leadership roles in the NHS and Government as well as being Deputy Chief Inspector for general practice, online health services and military health at the Care Quality Commission.
With over 25 years’ experience as a chartered surveyor, Adam works closely with GP practices, health centre operators, and investors across the UK. His expertise spans the full spectrum of primary care property, from valuing doctors’ premises and negotiating rents, to advising on practice expansions and identifying opportunities for healthcare investors.
Testimonials
A very useful and informative conference!
A wide range of topics covered and all on current matters.
I was impressed by the level of knowledge of the speakers covering a variety of subjects associated with the healthcare sector.
A really good event - something that I look forward to each year. There is always a good range of subjects covered.
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