Closing the Gap: Meeting NCEPOD Guidance Across the Recovery Journey KSS Adult Critical Care ODN Annual Conference – 21 September 2026
Conference Theme
Understanding the Recovery Journey
“Closing the Gap: Meeting NCEPOD Guidance Across the Recovery Journey”
Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gatwick
Date: Monday, 21 September 2026
Time: 08:00 – 16:00
This one‑day conference will bring together multidisciplinary teams from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to explore how NCEPOD recommendations can be translated into everyday clinical practice, improving outcomes, experience, and long‑term recovery for patients and their families.
Why This Conference Matters
NCEPOD identified several recurring challenges across services nationally, including:
- Late, inconsistent, or absent rehabilitation planning
- Incomplete or poorly coordinated MDT assessment
- Under‑use of outcome measures, limiting the ability to demonstrate quality and impact
- Fragmented handover between ICU, wards, follow‑up clinics, and community services
- Insufficient support for patients and families throughout recovery
This conference is designed to directly address these gaps, offering practical, evidence‑based approaches that can be implemented across the entire recovery pathway.
Conference Programme Highlights
The ICU Recovery Pathway: From ICU Discharge to Community Reintegration
Defining best practice across the recovery continuum, including the practical use of the PICUPS tool, structured triage of follow‑up needs, meaningful outcome measures, and goal‑focused recovery planning.
Demonstrating the Impact of High‑Quality Rehabilitation and Follow‑Up
Learning from established KSS services at Darent Valley Hospital, Brighton, and Frimley, with insights into building sustainable follow‑up clinics, measuring outcomes, and demonstrating service value.
Long‑Term Weaning in Complex Critical Illness
A detailed case‑based session exploring multidisciplinary rehabilitation challenges and solutions in long‑term weaning.
Optimising Respiratory Muscle Function and Communication
Practical application of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT), Expiratory Muscle Training (EMT), and above‑cuff vocalisation across the recovery pathway.
Intubation‑Related Dysphagia and Dysphonia
Understanding mechanisms, risks, and rehabilitation implications of swallowing and voice disorders following intubation.
The EPICS Study: Digital Monitoring of PICS
Exploring how digital tools and patient‑reported data can support early identification and monitoring of Post‑Intensive Care Syndrome.
Using Patient‑Reported Data to Optimise Rehabilitation and Follow‑Up
Leveraging PROMs and digital data to target resources effectively and improve recovery pathways.
Lived Experience of Recovery
Patient and family perspectives on rehabilitation and follow‑up, including the role of ICU diaries in psychological recovery.
Sustaining Person‑Centred Care in Critical Care
Key learning from the Post‑Humanisation Project, focusing on culture change, compassion, and person‑centred care.
Occupational Therapy and Psychological Recovery
The role of Occupational Therapists across the rehabilitation pathway, alongside sessions on psychological trauma, PTSD, and family recovery needs.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is highly relevant for:
- Critical care clinicians
- Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
- Psychologists
- Rehabilitation and follow‑up teams
- Service leads, managers, and commissioners
- Anyone involved in post‑ICU recovery
Whether you are delivering care, developing services, or evaluating outcomes, this event will provide practical tools, shared learning, and national context to support improvement.
Tickets and Booking
Tickets are available exclusively via Eventbrite and will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Please note that tickets cannot be reserved for individual units, so early booking is strongly encouraged.
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kent-surrey-and-sussex-acc-odn-rehabilitation-conference-tickets-1984462413499?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us on 21 September 2026 to help close the gap between survival and recovery, and to ensure that critical care rehabilitation across Kent, Surrey and Sussex meets the standards our patients deserve.