Realistic Medicine Annual Conference 2026
Registration is now open for the Realistic Medicine Annual Conference 2026 – Celebrating a Decade of Realistic Medicine, taking place on Friday 19 June at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
Hosted by the Scottish Government, the conference offers a valuable opportunity for NHSGGC and HSCP staff to hear examples of Realistic Medicine in action, connect with colleagues, and take practical ideas back into their services.
Dr Malcom Watson, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Realistic Medicine Co-Clinical Lead, said:
“This year’s conference will celebrate achievements to date while exploring ongoing challenges and opportunities to improve outcomes for the people we care for.
“We strongly encourage staff to attend and be part of this important conversation as we continue to embed the principles of Realistic Medicine across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
The conference has something for everyone, and delegates can pick and chose what events best suit them to attend throughout the varied schedule.
Delegates will hear from leading speakers including:
- Professor Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.
- Professor Graham Ellis, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
- Professor Jill Sonke, US Cultural Policy Fellow, Director of Research Initiatives, University of Florida.
- Professor Jamie Hayes, Director, Welsh Medicines Resource Centre.
The programme also includes a wide range of interactive sessions, including:
- Arts and Wellbeing Panel
Exploring how arts-based approaches support individual and community wellbeing, with opportunity for Q&A. - Putting Patients at the Centre: Designing Care that Matters
Using real patient stories to show how understanding “what matters most” can transform care and improve outcomes. - Understanding and Managing Risk
Senior leaders discuss how to build a more open, confident and supportive culture around risk. - Realistic Medicine in Action
Practical examples and tools to help services deliver high-value, person-centred care. - Gender-Related Inequalities and ‘Missingness’ in Health
Exploring the impact of sex and gender on health, this session will examine what drives ‘missingness’ in Scotland’s health system and showcase how community-based interventions, including social prescribing, can create more inclusive, preventative, and responsive services that align with the principles of Realistic Medicine. - Connection at the Heart of Prevention: A Social Prescribing Approach
Showcasing how partnership working supports prevention and improves wellbeing. - NHS Wales: Value Based Health and Care
Insights into how outcomes, finance and culture can drive system-wide improvement. - Senior Leaders Panel
Exploring how leadership can shape culture and enable Realistic Medicine at scale. - Value Based Health & Care Finance
How financial strategy and investment decisions can support better outcomes and reduce variation. - Health at Hand® wellbeing session
A short, guided movement and breath session to support staff wellbeing.
To register and view the full programme, please visit: Realistic Medicine Annual Conference 2026 – Celebrating a Decade of Realistic Medicine
Recommended pre-learning ahead of the conference can be found here: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/63069