This year’s Healthcare Excellence Through Technology at London ExCeL is the first opportunity for health tech to discuss the government’s vision for the NHS. And from the agenda to new features, the show on 7-8 October has been set-up to make the most of that opportunity.
The government published its 10 Year Health Plan for England as the NHS prepared to mark its 77th anniversary at the start of July.
As predicted, the plan called for reform through three shifts: from hospital to community, treatment to prevention, and analogue to digital. Within the last shift, it promised better IT infrastructure, a single patient record, a massively expanded NHS App, and a huge role for AI.
But there was no delivery chapter, and no alignment with the funding coming out of the Treasury’s spending review. So, the NHS and its suppliers are still waiting for much of the crucial detail on how its vision will be put into practice.
Right time, right now
Some of that detail may be revealed at this year’s Healthcare Excellence Through Technology, which takes place at ExCeL London from 7-8 October.
“HETT Show 2025 is the first significant opportunity that the health tech community will have had to discuss the 10 Year Health Plan, and the agenda has been planned to inform that debate,” says Rikki Bhachu, head of marketing at organiser GovNet.
“We have also created a host of new features on the show floor to encourage free thinking, support collaboration, and introduce the NHS to suppliers with the innovation it needs, with a spotlight on the potentially transformative impact of AI.”
Powerful keynotes
This year, the HETT agenda will be delivered across five theatres, focusing on: digital maturity; infrastructure, data and cyber security; digitally empowered experience; integrated care; and workforce, adoption and productivity.
The focus on the 10 Year Health Plan will start on day one with a keynote address from Vin Diwaker, interim national director of transformation at NHS England. Diwaker is expected to discuss what the plan will mean for the relationship between the healthcare system and individuals, and how it will be brought to life at local level.
Then, on day two, Avi Mehra from IBM will lead a high-powered panel that will discuss how to navigate the new normal, or how the system will adapt and change in response to the plan. And Sonia Patel, chief technology officer at NHS England, will take part in a fireside chat that will explore the shift from analogue to digital in more detail.
Inspiring real-life examples
Other sessions will discuss good work that trusts are already doing, the impact of initiatives that pre-date the plan but will support its delivery, and the potential of some of its specific IT initiatives.
For example, Kevin Percival from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will talk about the impact that digitally transformed pathways are having on its teams and patients. While William Monaghan, from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and Becky Taylor, from the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, will discuss the different approaches that their organisations are taking to adopting the Federated Data Platform.
And Rachel Dunscombe, a former NHS CIO who is now co-chair and chief industry advisor for openEHR, will lead a panel on the potential of a single patient record to drive safer, smarter and more connected care.
A rare chance to hear from a decorated Olympian
It’s not just the technicalities of policy, technology, or even funding that will be key to the 10 Year Health Plan’s delivery. Leadership, teamwork, and creating the conditions that enable success will also be essential.
In recognition of this, HETT has created a special opportunity for attendees to hear from Dame Laura Kenny, a multi-Olympic and Worlds medallist, and Britain’s most successful Olympian.
In a fireside chat on day two, she will reflect on how she rose to the top of her sport, her experience of the NHS, and the importance of exercise in building health and resilience. HETT VIPs will also have the opportunity to meet Dame Laura in person.
Navigating the innovation on offer
HETT has created an opportunity for influential health tech leaders to apply to be a HETT VIP. This unlocks access to dedicated content streams, the opportunity to contribute content, and the chance to meet a community of like-minded peers.
It’s just one of a number of options to get more out of the event. Visitors will also be able to join a new digital estates trail that will guide them across the show floor and connect them with leading suppliers and solutions providers.
Or, they will be able to drop into the start-up hub, to meet young and innovative companies. Or, they will be able to dip into a live podcast recording for the Ministry of Health Tech, a fast-growing network of future leaders that explores the trends shaping the industry. Or, they will be able to visit spotlights on AI and the critical issue of women’s health.
Conversations, critical
Or, visitors may just want to kick back and relax. For the second year running, HETT will open with a pre-show drinks reception and Rockaoke singalong at The Fox, to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.
And there will be plenty of spaces to stop, power devices, recharge, and network over the two days of the event. Whether people meet at The Rest Stop Lounge, the Roundtable Area, or the Networking Lounge, however, there’s likely to be one, key topic of conversation; the 10 Year Health Plan.
“We know that the plan has set out some clear ambitions: to shift care closer to home, embed prevention at the heart of health and care, and accelerate digital transformation,” says Rikki Bhachu.
“Exploring those ambitions, and how they can be delivered, are not just talking points at HETT Show 2025, they are central to the whole event. Our agenda, speakers, sessions, and show features are designed to support real-world delivery across systems and settings. “Whether you are leading service redesign, driving prevention locally, or scaling digital innovation, you can’t afford to miss it.”
