Hill Dickinson health expert Rebecca Fitzpatrick on the NHS Confederation

LIVERPOOL hosted the NHS Confederation Conference for the second time in two years last week and it was fantastic to once again see the city putting on such a first class event.

The Confederation is the independent body that represents the NHS in England and the annual conference is aimed at the movers, shakers and high flyers in the health field, providing them with a forum to discuss the challenges ahead.

There was a slightly unsettled air at this year’s event, however, in light of the emergency budget from last Tuesday.

Addressing the conference, health secretary Andrew Lansley spoke about putting patients at the heart of NHS decision-making and clinicians being more accountable for achieving best outcomes.

But there was little detail provided on how this is to be achieved in a world of shrinking budgets.

The NHS, as ever, seems once again set to change at a rapid pace as the future remains uncertain.

It’s easy to feel somewhat downhearted, when “doom & gloom” and recession-related topics seem to constantly surround us.

But what struck me most at the conference was the delegates’ vigour, vitality, ideas, innovation and commitment.

It was refreshing and inspiring to speak to so many talented individuals, and it was very reassuring to see their clear commitment to our NHS.