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l Outbreak management learning l Drains and environmental transmission l Airborne pathogens l Sustainable IPC initiatives such as the ‘Gloves Off’ campaign
These sessions create space for deeper discussion and peer exchange — allowing delegates to engage directly with subject matter experts and explore implementation challenges.
Environmental risk and the built environment Environmental IPC is a central theme at IPC 2026. Sessions examine water safety in neonatal units, the role of drains in transmission, the value of ventilation systems post-pandemic, and the investigation of environmental outbreaks. Professor Elaine Cloutman-Green will close the conference with a practical session on choosing the right approach to environmental investigations — a fitting finale for an event that emphasises precision, evidence and systems thinking. These discussions reflect a broader shift: infection prevention is no longer just about behaviour. It is about design.
Sustainability without compromise IPC 2026 integrates sustainability into the programme rather than treating it as a separate issue. From IV antibiotic delivery and plastic reduction to sustainable urine collection systems and global IPC practice in resource- limited settings, the conference demonstrates that environmental responsibility and patient safety can align. The Pee-in-Pot (PiP) innovation from Somerset
NHS Foundation Trust offers a tangible example of this balance — reducing plastic waste while maintaining microbiological integrity. Sustainability in IPC is no longer optional. IPC 2026 treats it as essential.
Diagnostics, data and decision-making
Rapid diagnostics and data-driven health protection also take centre stage. Sessions on point-of-care CRP testing in primary care and
AI-enabled civic health systems explore how better information leads to better antimicrobial stewardship and faster response. These conversations are grounded in
practical experience — from city-scale testing programmes to primary care implementation. IPC 2026 recognises that prevention depends on timely, trusted information.
Who attends IPC 2026? IPC 2026 attracts a senior and decision-making audience from across the NHS and wider healthcare system. Attendees include: l Directors of Infection Prevention and Control l Consultant Microbiologists l IPC Specialist Nurses l Antimicrobial Pharmacists l Estates and Facilities Leads l Critical Care Clinicians l Public Health Specialists l Ambulance Service IPC Leads l Sustainability and procurement teams
With over 500 delegates expected, IPC 2026 offers rare cross-sector interaction in one dedicated infection prevention space.
Built for networking and collaboration Infection prevention thrives on shared learning. IPC 2026 is structured to encourage meaningful conversation — with:
l Extended networking breaks l Dedicated exhibition time l Interactive workshops l Multi-disciplinary panels l Informal discussion spaces
For many delegates, the value of IPC 2026 lies as much in peer exchange as in the formal agenda.
Why IPC 2026 Matters l The pressures facing healthcare are not diminishing.
l Antimicrobial resistance continues to rise. l Environmental transmission risks remain complex.
l Health inequalities persist. l Sustainability demands grow. l IPC 2026 does not promise simple answers. Instead, it offers clarity, evidence, and collaboration.
l It provides space to step back from daily operational pressures and consider the bigger picture — while still delivering practical insight delegates can apply immediately.
Key information IPC 2026 takes place on 28–29 April 2026 at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham. Attendance is free for NHS professionals, with 14 CPD points available. Across two days, the event brings together national leadership, scientific expertise, frontline practice and innovative industry solutions — all focused on one shared goal. For further information and to register, visit:
https://www.infectionpreventioncontrol.net/
Exhibition Beyond the lecture theatre, IPC 2026 hosts a carefully curated exhibition featuring leading industry partners working across diagnostics, disinfection, ventilation, vascular access, environmental hygiene, antimicrobial
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I April 2026
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