2026 Conference Programme
2026 Conference Programme
Main Theatre
09:30
KEYNOTE: Children and Young People’s Mental Health; National Policy and Strategy
Main Theatre
Chair:
Prof Prathiba Chitsabesan National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health - NHS England
11:00
The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS)
Main Theatre
Speakers:
Thorarinn Freysson Service Manager - Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Mehtab Rahman Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Lead for Inpatient Services - St Charles Hospital, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
13:30
Keynote: Inclusive Design in (Digital) Mental Health
Main Theatre
Speaker:
Max Marulli De Barletta Inclusive Design Lead - NHS England
14:30
How the Qualitative and Quantitative Learning From the Dormitory Eradication Programme will be Compiled and How the DiMH Network May be Able to Inform This Learning
Main Theatre
Speakers:
Helen Griffin Masterplan Lead, Architectural Lead for Technical Guidance Programme - NHS England- Mel Jacobsen Cox Technical Lead ProCure23 - NHS England
15:00
An Update on the Development of the National Estates Technical Bulletin on the Standard for Accommodating Mental Health Patients on Paediatric Wards in Acute Hospitals
Main Theatre
Speaker:
- Helen Griffin Masterplan Lead, Architectural Lead for Technical Guidance Programme - NHS England
16:00
Panel Discussion: Designing Mental Health Emergency Departments: Creating Better Care Environments for All
Main Theatre
Speaker:
David Moss Director of Estates and Facilities - Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Green Theatre
11:00
Blossom Court: Lessons Learnt From a Two-Storey Inpatient Unit
Green Theatre
Speakers:
Ruari Reeves Director - Medical Architecture- Vjosa Bytyqi Capital Programme Manager - North London NHS Foundation Trust
11:30
The Importance of Evaluating Mental Health Design – Woodland View 10 Years On
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- William Lauder General Manager - Ayrshire Central Hospital
Karen Flatt Architect, Associate Principal Mental Health Lead - Arcadis
14:30
‘A Room With a View’ – Challenging the Norm, Restorative Design and Empowered Co-production at Water Meadow View
Green Theatre
Speakers:
Andrew Arnold Director/Architect - Gilling Dod
Karen Howell Landscape Architect - Iteriad- Hayley Bannister Clinical lead WMV / Associate Director of Allied Health Professionals - Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
15:00
Beyond Assumptions: How Design Decisions Shape Psychiatric Emergency Care Outcomes
Green Theatre
Speakers:
Virginia Pankey Behavioral Health Practice Leader - HOK
Scott Zeller Vice President of Acute Psychiatry - Vituity
16:00
Designing with Purpose: Occupational Therapy and Mental Health, Josh Jones, Cygnet Healthcare
Green Theatre
Speakers:
Josh Jones Regional Lead Occupational Therapist - South West - Cygnet Health Care
Michelle Van Vuren Head of Occupational Therapy - Cygnet Healthcare
16:30
What is the Impact of Centralised Versus Decentralised Ward Designs on Fall Incidences in One Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit in Victoria, Australia
Green Theatre
Speaker:
Shalitha Seneviratne Registered Psychiatric Nurse - Alfred Health
Blue Theatre
11:00
Creating Supportive Home Environments for People with Learning Disabilities
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- Mark Pearce Regional Advisor - Foundations
11:30
Environmental Considerations When Developing Mental Health Estates
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
Fanny Burrows Interim Head of Sustainability - Frimley NHS Foundation Trust
14:30
VR for Reducing Restrictive Practices
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
Ciaran Cuddihy Practice Development Facilitator - HSE West
15:00
Alternatives to Impatient Wards Using the Soteria Approach
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
Rita Horgan Independent Lived Experience Researcher
16:00
Connected Care: How Smart Environments Support Mental Health
Blue Theatre
Speakers:
- James Sutherland National Specialist Advisor on Community Mental Health Transformation - NHS England
Lisa Yates Digital Strategy Lead for the National Rehabilitation Centre - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Smart Building Technology
Blue Theatre
Workshop Room
14:30
Workshop
Results from a National Evaluation of Prevalence and Perceptions of Vision-based Monitoring and Body Worn Cameras in Mental Health Inpatient Wards in England
Workshop
Speakers:
Ian Callaghan Lived Experience Programme Manager - Rethink- Ade Odunlade Interim CEO - South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Fiona Dolan Director of Nursing - North London NHS Foundation Trust
16:00
Workshop
Shaping Places Shapes People: A Radical Manifesto for Youth Agency in Placemaking and Design
Workshop
Speaker:
- Carl Walker Head of Societal Impacts - Hoare Lee
Main Theatre
09:30
KEYNOTE: Children and Young People’s Mental Health; National Policy and Strategy
Main Theatre
Chair:
- Prof Prathiba Chitsabesan National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health - NHS England
11:00
The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS)
Main Theatre
Speakers:
- Thorarinn Freysson Service Manager - Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Mehtab Rahman Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Lead for Inpatient Services - St Charles Hospital, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
13:30
Keynote: Inclusive Design in (Digital) Mental Health
Main Theatre
Speaker:
- Max Marulli De Barletta Inclusive Design Lead - NHS England
14:30
How the Qualitative and Quantitative Learning From the Dormitory Eradication Programme will be Compiled and How the DiMH Network May be Able to Inform This Learning
Main Theatre
Speakers:
- Helen Griffin Masterplan Lead, Architectural Lead for Technical Guidance Programme - NHS England
- Mel Jacobsen Cox Technical Lead ProCure23 - NHS England
15:00
An Update on the Development of the National Estates Technical Bulletin on the Standard for Accommodating Mental Health Patients on Paediatric Wards in Acute Hospitals
Main Theatre
Speaker:
- Helen Griffin Masterplan Lead, Architectural Lead for Technical Guidance Programme - NHS England
16:00
Panel Discussion: Designing Mental Health Emergency Departments: Creating Better Care Environments for All
Main Theatre
Speaker:
- David Moss Director of Estates and Facilities - Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Green Theatre
11:00
Blossom Court: Lessons Learnt From a Two-Storey Inpatient Unit
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Ruari Reeves Director - Medical Architecture
- Vjosa Bytyqi Capital Programme Manager - North London NHS Foundation Trust
11:30
The Importance of Evaluating Mental Health Design – Woodland View 10 Years On
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- William Lauder General Manager - Ayrshire Central Hospital
- Karen Flatt Architect, Associate Principal Mental Health Lead - Arcadis
14:30
‘A Room With a View’ – Challenging the Norm, Restorative Design and Empowered Co-production at Water Meadow View
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Andrew Arnold Director/Architect - Gilling Dod
- Karen Howell Landscape Architect - Iteriad
- Hayley Bannister Clinical lead WMV / Associate Director of Allied Health Professionals - Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
15:00
Beyond Assumptions: How Design Decisions Shape Psychiatric Emergency Care Outcomes
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Virginia Pankey Behavioral Health Practice Leader - HOK
- Scott Zeller Vice President of Acute Psychiatry - Vituity
16:00
Designing with Purpose: Occupational Therapy and Mental Health, Josh Jones, Cygnet Healthcare
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Josh Jones Regional Lead Occupational Therapist - South West - Cygnet Health Care
- Michelle Van Vuren Head of Occupational Therapy - Cygnet Healthcare
16:30
What is the Impact of Centralised Versus Decentralised Ward Designs on Fall Incidences in One Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit in Victoria, Australia
Green Theatre
Speaker:
- Shalitha Seneviratne Registered Psychiatric Nurse - Alfred Health
Blue Theatre
11:00
Creating Supportive Home Environments for People with Learning Disabilities
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- Mark Pearce Regional Advisor - Foundations
11:30
Environmental Considerations When Developing Mental Health Estates
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- Fanny Burrows Interim Head of Sustainability - Frimley NHS Foundation Trust
14:30
VR for Reducing Restrictive Practices
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- Ciaran Cuddihy Practice Development Facilitator - HSE West
15:00
Alternatives to Impatient Wards Using the Soteria Approach
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- Rita Horgan Independent Lived Experience Researcher
16:00
Connected Care: How Smart Environments Support Mental Health
Blue Theatre
Speakers:
- James Sutherland National Specialist Advisor on Community Mental Health Transformation - NHS England
- Lisa Yates Digital Strategy Lead for the National Rehabilitation Centre - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Smart Building Technology
Blue Theatre
Workshop Room
14:30
Workshop
Results from a National Evaluation of Prevalence and Perceptions of Vision-based Monitoring and Body Worn Cameras in Mental Health Inpatient Wards in England
Workshop
Speakers:
- Ian Callaghan Lived Experience Programme Manager - Rethink
- Ade Odunlade Interim CEO - South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Fiona Dolan Director of Nursing - North London NHS Foundation Trust
16:00
Workshop
Shaping Places Shapes People: A Radical Manifesto for Youth Agency in Placemaking and Design
Workshop
Speaker:
- Carl Walker Head of Societal Impacts - Hoare Lee
Main Theatre
09:30
KEYNOTE: CQC Perspectives on Safe, Compassionate and Effective Environments in Mental Health Settings – What We See Working in Practice
Main Theatre
Speakers:
Raf Hamazia Expert by Experience Lead - Cygnet Health Care
Laura Baker Deputy Director of Mental Health - CQC
11:30
Spaces that Listen: Co‑Designing for Compassion and Wellbeing at Central London Samaritans
Main Theatre
Speakers:
- Paul Mathews Director - Murphy Philipps
- Jeremy Marcus Central London Samaritans
14:30
Interactive Discussion: A Constellation of Care: Crafting Community Mental Health Across a Continent
Main Theatre
Speakers:
Stephen Parker Mental + Behavioral Health Planner - Stantec Architecture- Deanna Brown Design Principal - Stantec Architecture
- Shahad Sadeq Lived Experience Expert - Buxton Kubik and Dodd
- Nzinga Walker Executive Director - Stella's Place
Green Theatre
11:00
National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital: Three Year POE
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Ruari Reeves Director - Medical Architecture
Karl Burton Project Director - Scott Tallon Walker Architects
11:30
Inspired by Nature, Informed by Experience: The Design of the Kingfisher
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Emma Moody Associate Director for Service Development and Commissioning - Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
- Mathew Page Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive - Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
14:30
Individuals in Institutional Care; What Patients Need, What They Get
Green Theatre
Speaker:
Teva Hesse Design Director - 4D Studio Architects
15:00
Using Art and Visual Design to Support De-escalation
Speaker:
Dr Steve Fossey Associate Professor, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities - University of Lincoln
Blue Theatre
11:00
Dignity by Design – Launching the Latest Publication from the Design with People in Mind Series
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
Dr Paul Hannah Design in Mental Health Network
14:30
Beyond ‘Biophilic’ to ALIVE: a ‘Landscape-led’ Approach to Healthcare Design
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
David Singleton Landscape Architect - DSA Environment & Design
15:00
Echoes of the Past, Pathways to the Future. A Shared Journey Towards Excellence in Mental Health design, Care and Discovery.
Blue Theatre
Speakers:
Samantha Robinson Clinical Nurse Lead - New Warneford Project - Oxford Health NHS FT- Robert Dawson Director - Eric Parry Architects
Workshop Room
Main Theatre
09:30
KEYNOTE: CQC Perspectives on Safe, Compassionate and Effective Environments in Mental Health Settings – What We See Working in Practice
Main Theatre
Speakers:
- Raf Hamazia Expert by Experience Lead - Cygnet Health Care
- Laura Baker Deputy Director of Mental Health - CQC
11:30
Spaces that Listen: Co‑Designing for Compassion and Wellbeing at Central London Samaritans
Main Theatre
Speakers:
- Paul Mathews Director - Murphy Philipps
- Jeremy Marcus Central London Samaritans
14:30
Interactive Discussion: A Constellation of Care: Crafting Community Mental Health Across a Continent
Main Theatre
Speakers:
- Stephen Parker Mental + Behavioral Health Planner - Stantec Architecture
- Deanna Brown Design Principal - Stantec Architecture
- Shahad Sadeq Lived Experience Expert - Buxton Kubik and Dodd
- Nzinga Walker Executive Director - Stella's Place
Green Theatre
11:00
National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital: Three Year POE
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Ruari Reeves Director - Medical Architecture
- Karl Burton Project Director - Scott Tallon Walker Architects
11:30
Inspired by Nature, Informed by Experience: The Design of the Kingfisher
Green Theatre
Speakers:
- Emma Moody Associate Director for Service Development and Commissioning - Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
- Mathew Page Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive - Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
14:30
Individuals in Institutional Care; What Patients Need, What They Get
Green Theatre
Speaker:
- Teva Hesse Design Director - 4D Studio Architects
15:00
Using Art and Visual Design to Support De-escalation
Speaker:
- Dr Steve Fossey Associate Professor, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities - University of Lincoln
Blue Theatre
11:00
Dignity by Design – Launching the Latest Publication from the Design with People in Mind Series
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- Dr Paul Hannah Design in Mental Health Network
14:30
Beyond ‘Biophilic’ to ALIVE: a ‘Landscape-led’ Approach to Healthcare Design
Blue Theatre
Speaker:
- David Singleton Landscape Architect - DSA Environment & Design
15:00
Echoes of the Past, Pathways to the Future. A Shared Journey Towards Excellence in Mental Health design, Care and Discovery.
Blue Theatre
Speakers:
- Samantha Robinson Clinical Nurse Lead - New Warneford Project - Oxford Health NHS FT
- Robert Dawson Director - Eric Parry Architects
Workshop Room
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