NHS leaders to look overseas for answers to health service pressures

Health leaders and policymakers will gather in London this November for a major summit examining what the NHS can learn from health systems around the world.

The Health Foundation’s Common Challenges and Policy Responses: International Lessons for the NHS event will take place on Thursday 26 November at IET London: Savoy Place, bringing together senior NHS figures, policymakers and international health experts.

The day-long event will explore challenges being faced across different health systems and how countries are responding through reform, new workforce models, technology and changes to the way health services are delivered.

One of the key areas of discussion will be strengthening primary and community-based care – an issue that has become increasingly important as the NHS looks for ways to reduce pressure on hospitals and provide more care closer to people’s homes.

Delegates will also hear how health systems are attempting to improve efficiency by changing workforce models and introducing new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The summit will consider the financial pressures facing health services and the national policy measures different countries are using to make health care sustainable over the longer term.

Speakers announced for the event include Karin Smyth MP, Minister of State for Health (Secondary Care); Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England; Alexandre Lourenço, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre in Health Management; and Dr Ewout van Ginneken, Director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

The event runs from 10am until 5pm on Thursday 26 November 2026 at IET London: Savoy Place, 2 Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL.

Attendance is open for registration through The Health Foundation.

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