Private patients
Fri 4 Jul 2025 08:30-17:00
Royal Free Hospital London, 6 CPD hours

Take your meetings off of Teams and into reality at this National Networking Forum hosted by The Royal Free London Private Patients Unit

Against the backdrop of the prestigious Royal Free Hospital; this annual, topical forum will give you an unrivalled opportunity to strategise with like-minded colleagues, benchmark your current service provision and identify approaches to develop workable plans for the future. 

Sponsored by Streets Heaver, Pharmacierge, Patient Billing and Chrysalis Finance.

            

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NHS Private Patients National Networking Forum
Face-to-face 6 CPD hours £49+VAT

Hosted by the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; network with PPUs from across the country

Purposefully designed to spark conversation and generate new ideas, discover important information on how to improve your tariff agreements, strategise on how you can maximise your revenue and drive forward change with insurance providers. Don’t wait, book your place today to:

  • Quiz insurance providers on how they plan to improve the experience of patients and PPUs
  • Strengthen your PPU's visibility both internally and externally to increase revenue
  • Streamline billing, insurance processes, and reporting to optimise income
  • Discover digital solutions currently improving PPUs, from automated patient updates to reducing paper-heavy processes
  • Learn from leading NHS and private hospitals on running a successful and sustainable PPU
  • Benefit from inspirational panel discussions designed to encourage new ideas to grow your PPU

Plus, there is a great opportunity to be part of the interactive tour of the Royal Free Hospital London top floor unit

Tackle the challenges of silo working by collaborating with professionals from across the country

Share with like-minded members of the PPU community, business consultants and the wider insurance industry through active participation in panel discussions, presentation forums and networking:

  • Meet the insurers: hear upcoming plans from leading insurance providers and ask your questions during the panel discussion. Plus, benefit from dedicated table discussions to talk through your specific case examples.
  • Case study-based presentations: learn from colleagues from across the country who have developed new strategies to boost their PPUs for 2025
  • Market analysis: benefit from a whole market perspective to deepen your understanding of the national picture of PPUs
  • Facilitated discussion sessions: Network with colleagues and find out how other services have gone about generating new business. Profit from lessons learnt and new ways to create more space for private patient activity

With thanks to our sponsors

SBK would like to thank Streets Heaver, Pharmacierge, Patient Billing and Chrysalis for sponsoring this Private Patient conference.

       

How to get involved: join us as a sponsor

SBK Healthcare Forums are designed to enable industry providers to support healthcare professionals. We are pleased to be inviting sponsors for this forum. If this is something you would be interested in exploring please email Vanessa Pearce or call Vanessa on 01732 897788 to find out about all the engagement and branding opportunities available in the full sponsorship package.

8:30
Registration and networking opportunity
9:00
Instructions and chair’s opening remarks
Dean Stephen Booth, Managing Director, Royal Free London Private Patients Unit
9:10
Roundtable discussion: Shrinking NHS waiting lists and navigating the dilemma for PPUs
  • What is your current PPU capacity like? When are you able to conduct private patient activity?
  • How are you gaining access to space whilst providing care for the hospital’s NHS patients?
  • Have you been able to expand your activity this year? How did you go about this?
9:25
Feedback from discussion and setting objectives for the day
National Update
9:30
Raising NHS revenue: increasing capacity and ensuring effective governance in a global market
  • Delivering on NHS objectives and resolving the issue of capital: how can we meet our targets?
  • Reducing the risk of indemnity and ensuring contractual clarity
  • Ensuring profitability and sharing NHS England perspectives on setting tariffs
Katharine Francis-Browne, Senior Finance Manager, Income Delivery and Cost Recovery Team, Financial Oversight and Delivery Directorate, NHS England
Boosting profitability
9:55
Barts Health Trust: Pricing, profitability, and lessons learnt for effective negotiation
  • Strategies for pricing: tackling price sensitivity, how to price and where to start
  • Benchmarking your market: how to manage and benchmark tariffs for your service to ensure you remain competitive
  • Approaching the insurance negotiation process: strategy to reduce inefficiencies
Matthew Chobbah, Associate Commercial and Business Development Director, Barts Health NHS Trust
10:20
Questions and answers with Katharine Francis-Browne and Matthew Chobbah
Easing day-to-day operations
10:25
Enhancing PPU efficiency with Compucare
Mark Wilkinson, Customer Success Manager, Streets Heaver
10:35
Pharmacierge: A proven analgesic for the pain points of private prescription management
Edward Ungar, CEO, Pharmacierge
10:45
Sponsored presentation delivered by Patient Billing
Richard Shawyer, Managing Director, Patient Billing
11:05
Exhibitor panel questions and answers
11:10
Networking break and opportunity to meet the exhibitors
Enhancing your service visibility
11:30
Our journey from a single poster to an integrated multi-channel campaign: building an NHS PPU marketing strategy
  • Building the foundations for success
  • Making the most of what you already have
  • Developing direct marketing channels to members of the public
  • Optimising the conversion journey from interest to booking
Clare Feasby, Associate Director for Marketing and Communications and Gemma Jackson, Head of Marketing, Moorfields Private, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
11:55
Building our strategy and growing the market at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Beth Barron, Associate Director of Operations, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Setting your service apart
12:20
Promoting finance options to enable accessible treatment plans
  • What is the future of financing private procedures in NHS settings?
Richard Gregory, Director of Strategy, Chrysalis Finance
12:30
Morning reflections and panel discussion. Discuss your growth strategies, challenges and solutions with your panel of speakers, compered by Philip Housden, Managing Director of Housden Group and includes:
  • Dean Stephen, Managing Director, Royal Free London Private Patients Unit
  • Gemma Jackson, Head of Marketing, Moorfields Private, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Beth Barron, Associate Director of Operations, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clare Feasby, Associate Director for Marketing and Communications
  • Richard Gregory, Director of Strategy, Chrysalis Finance
Networking Lunch and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust PPU Tour
12:45
A tour of the Royal Free Hospital Private Patient Units and networking lunch
In small groups, take the opportunity to tour the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust private patient unit
Collaborating with private sector partners
2:00
Case study: Merging with an independent hospital and becoming a new unit
  • Exploring the model: executing strategic change and boosting revenue
  • Overcoming early implementation challenges and managing local competition
  • Evaluating the impact and measuring success: what has been working well
Samual Harrison, Head of Operations and Business Development, Sulis Hospital Bath
2:25
Showcasing the Healthcare Management Trust model for private patient activity
  • Understanding the business model and operating a private hospital
  • Managing administration tasks: booking appointments, invoicing and patient outcomes
  • Building relationships, managing the consultant pool and marketing services
Andrew Willcocks, Executive Director Clinical Care and Acute Service, Healthcare Management Trust
2:50
Questions and answers with Simon Milner and Andrew Willcocks
Meet your insurers
3:00
Panel presentation: Negotiating contracts with Private Insurance Companies
  • Are PMIs willing to assess an NHS hospital differently to private hospitals?
  • Insightful advice on tactics and legal structures for working effectively with Medical Insurers
  • Price, volume and networks: how NHS PPUs can set up good working practices
Lindsey Davies, Senior Hospital Contracts Manager, BUPA UK & Nick Whitcher, Head of Hospital Management, Aviva Health & Matthew Cox, Hospital Relationship Manager, AXA Health
3:15
Panel questions and answers: Sharing insurers’ business focus for 2025/2026
3:30
Afternoon networking break and ‘drop-in’ meetings with the insurers
Your insurance representatives will remain at their table throughout the afternoon break to enable you to drop in and ask your specific questions
Collaborative working with professional bodies
3:50
From CMA compliance to value: Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN)
  • Deep dive into the CMA Private Healthcare Market Investigation
  • Using compliance to maximise private patient bookings and revenue
  • Making use of data to improve services and patient safety
Megan Dunaway, Hospital Engagement Lead, Private Healthcare Information Network
4:05
Delivering an effective complaints process for improved patients and PPU outcomes
  • Managing an effective, patient focused complaints procedure
  • Exploring the journey of the compliant: how can we see the benefit?
  • Evaluating the benefits of subscription for effective case-by-case complaint handling
Vivienne Heckford, NHS Private Patient Unit Lead, Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS)
Royal Free Hospital behind the scenes
4:20
Insights into the PPU processes, boosting efficiency and functioning as a team
  • The Royal Free PPU building blocks: showcasing the team, functions and roles
  • Managing your PPU whilst navigating the pressures of high NHS waiting lists
  • Key elements that enable smooth, patient first service delivery within the PPU pathway
Dean Stephen Booth, Managing Director, Royal Free London Private Patients Unit
4:45
Questions and answers with Vivienne Heckford, Dean Stephen Booth and Megan Dunaway
4:55
Closing remarks and reflecting on objectives of the day
5:00
Close of day

Attend this unique day to learn from a leading panel of expert speakers

Now in it’s 10th year, this annual forum is taking place at a pivotal time for PPUs. Benefit from evidence based content delivered by members of the NHS PPU community, plus additional industry-based speakers including: 

Dean Stephen Booth
Job Title:
Managing Director
Organisation
Royal Free London Private Patients Unit
Biography
Matthew Chobbah
Job Title:
Associate Commercial and Business Development Director
Organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Biography
Edward Ungar
Job Title:
CEO
Organisation
Pharmacierge
Biography
Richard Shawyer
Job Title:
Managing Director
Organisation
Patient Billing
Biography
Clare Feasby
Job Title:
Associate Director for Marketing and Communications
Organisation
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Biography
Gemma Jackson
Job Title:
Head of Marketing
Organisation
Moorfields Private, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Biography

Gemma has been head of marketing at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2020. She leads the marketing, new patient, and referrals functions at Moorfields Private. During that time, she has delivered the implementation of customer relationship management systems, a new call handling process, multi-channel marketing campaigns for both B2B and B2C audiences, and a new website. Key milestones at Moorfields Private include the opening of a new central London location in 2022 and the launch of the rapid access and urgent care service in 2021.

Prior to working at Moorfields, Gemma was the marketing manager for global health at BMJ where she led the marketing programme for a pandemic preparedness and extremely dangerous pathogen programme in seven countries. For six years, she was the marketing manager for Private Care at The Royal Marsden. Gemma also has experience in marketing in the charity and housing association sectors.
Beth Barron
Job Title:
Associate Director of Operations
Organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Biography
Philip Housden
Job Title:
Managing Director
Organisation
Housden Group
Biography

Philip is a specialist healthcare sector management consultant with over 25 years industry experience.

He established Housden Group in 2006. Its’ primary aim was, and still is, to support both private and public sector clients in achieving optimal commercial growth, by designing and building innovative, yet pragmatic commercial solutions.

Housden Group has delivered a wide range of successful projects for over twenty NHS Trust Private Patient Units (PPUs). Its’ services include strategy and market reviews, performance turnaround, the launch of new services and business cases for development.

As well as managing several major projects and organisational issues through business case approval and bid wins, Philip also supports hospital consultant and GP groups and other clinically-led organisations on commercial development and service change.

Philip is the PPU Correspondent for Independent Practitioner Today and writes a regular column. He was Inaugural Consultant Editor of the British Journal of Health Care Management and past Chair of the Henley Alumni ‘Healthcare Special Interest’ Group.

Philip is presently leading the creation of a PPU 'chain' founded on Trusts in Essex.

For further company details and case studies visit: www.housdengroup.co.uk and https://www.linkedin.com/company/housden-group
Samual Harrison
Job Title:
Head of Operations and Business Development
Organisation
Sulis Hospital Bath
Biography

Sam joined Sulis Hospital Bath in September 2018 as Business Development Lead before progressing to Head of Business Development and Marketing during the hospital’s divestment process from Circle Health Group through to their acquisition by the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. Now serving as Head of Operations, he plays a key role in shaping the hospital’s strategic growth and holds the reins to the operational demands of a facility that is not only an independent provider, but home to a regional NHS surgical hub and NHS community diagnostic centre. Sam is passionate about the unique opportunity to develop Sulis Hospital in collaboration with Royal United Hospitals Bath. With a sole aim to ensure that Sulis continues to provide sustainable capacity for the local system and region. He believes that by working closely with the NHS, primary care providers, and commissioning groups, Sulis can play a key role in shaping the future of local healthcare.
Lindsay Davies
Job Title:
Senior Hospital Contracts Manager
Organisation
BUPA UK
Biography
Nick Whitcher
Job Title:
Head of Hospital Management
Organisation
Aviva
Biography
Matthew Cox
Job Title:
Hospital Relationship Manager
Organisation
AXA Health
Biography
Megan Dunaway
Job Title:
Hospital Engagement Lead
Organisation
Private Healthcare Information Network
Biography

Megan leads the Hospital Engagement team who support hospitals in achieving full compliance with their requirements under the CMA Order. Megan has 14 years’ experience in the healthcare sector with a variety of experience across stakeholder engagement, operations, and business development.

Megan joined PHIN in 2019 from HCA Healthcare where she led Customer Operations and Business Development functions within the pathology division. Prior to working in the private healthcare sector, Megan studied Nursing in Glasgow.
Vivienne Heckford
Job Title:
NHS Private Patient Unit Lead
Organisation
Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS)
Biography
Andrew Willcocks
Job Title:
Executive Director Clinical Care and Acute Service
Organisation
Healthcare Management Trust
Biography
Katharine Francis-Browne
Job Title:
Senior Finance Manager, Income Delivery and Cost Recovery Team, Financial Oversight and Delivery Directorate
Organisation
NHS England
Biography

With over ten years of experience in the NHS and a proven track record of delivering value in the commercial sector, Katherine has dedicated her NHS career to delivering results, particularly in cost recovery, overseas visitors, and the private patient’s space.

Her work has focused on improving patient outcomes, maximising cost recovery, and optimising income opportunities by working with NHS Trusts to improve operational processes. Katherine works closely with senior stakeholders from across government organisations and is an active member of HMT cross-government debt group.  
Richard Gregory
Job Title:
Director of Strategy
Organisation
Chrysalis Finance
Biography
Mark Wilkinson
Job Title:
Customer Success Manager
Organisation
Streets Heaver
Biography

Mark Wilkinson is the Customer Success Manager at Streets Heaver, leading a dedicated team focused on delivering exceptional client experiences. He manages a portfolio of existing key client relationships, working closely with Private Hospitals and NHS Private Patient Units to ensure they gain maximum value from the company’s industry-leading Private Patient Billing & Administrative solution, Compucare. Mark has also played a key role in shaping the company’s Customer Success strategy, implementing effective coaching programs, documentation standards, and KPI-driven reporting to support sustainable growth.

Pricing structure

  • £49 +VAT for one NHS or Public Sector place

For group bookings, please contact our delegate support team for further details:

enquiries@sbk-healthcare.co.uk

01732 897788

Commercial companies are also invited to sponsor this day. Please email Sarah Kemm for further details.

Venue details

Venue name: Royal Free Hospital

Address: Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG

Tel: 020 4502 7125

Parking at the Royal Free Hospital and in the surrounding areas is very limited and there's often a queue for the car park. Therefore, it is recommend you travel by public transport whenever possible. You can use the TfL Journey Planner to find the best route.

By bus- There are lots of buses that pass by the Royal Free Hospital. Bus routes 1, 24, 46, 268, C11 and N5 all serve the hospital.

By tube- The nearest underground station is Belsize Park on the Northern Line. The walk from Belsize Park station to the hospital takes about seven minutes and is partly uphill.

By train- Hampstead Heath station is very near to the hospital and is on the London Overground. The station accepts Oyster cards.

What happens once you have made your booking?

Once you have booked your place, SBK Healthcare will correspond with you using the email address you provided at the time of booking and you will be sent a formal confirmation. If you have not received this within 48 hours of making your booking please check your junk folder and then email bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk or call 01732 897788. .

Approximately one week prior to the conference you will be sent an email which will include all the final details for attendance on the day, including a final agenda and venue information.

Please inform us by writing to bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk if you have any special dietary or other requirements.

Reservations

If your funding has not yet been secured or you would like to hold your place with no obligation, you can reserve your place with us. Please email the reservations team at SBK Healthcare with your details:

  • Booking contact: name, job title, department, email and telephone number
  • Event(s) to reserve for: title and date
  • Delegate details (for each delegate): name, job title, department, email and telephone number
  • Organisation details: name and address

Alternatively you can make a confirmed booking by emailing the above information to the bookings team 

Terms and conditions

Certification of attendance

A certificate for Continuing Professional Development will be given to every fully registered participant who completes the course, as a record of your continuing professional training and development.

Registration fees

You will be sent an instant payment option or invoice on registration. Your payment is required in advance. If your fee has not been received prior to the event, and you are not able to provide a PO or proof of payment, you will be asked to make a credit or debit card payment on the day.

Modify registration

To let us know if your details are not correct when you have already registered, please email the bookings team.

Cancellations and substitutions

A full refund of fees will be made only for cancellations received within the first 48 hours of the booking being made. Notice of cancellation must be received in writing by emailing the bookings team at SBK Healthcare. Should you need to cancel your registration after this date, the registration fee remains payable in its entirety although a substitution will be accepted and conference documentation will be provided. Substitution attendees for delegates unable to attend after registering are acceptable at any time.

Event changes

It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of the conference organisers to alter the content, speakers or the timing of the programme. We will endeavour to keep you abreast of such changes but any unavoidable change to the format will not constitute a reason to refund the fee. Should the event be postponed, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. If, for reasons beyond the control of the conference organiser, the event is cancelled, a full refund will be made. We do not accept any liability for any incurred costs resulting from a postponement or cancellation.

Privacy notice

To view the details on how your data is being collected and used, please view our Privacy policy

Expected attendees

Taking place in a hospital for the first time since 2020, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to come together with established units, private facilities and services to network, share and develop new ways of moving forward. This conference will bring you together with: 

  • Private Patient Managers, Overseas Visitors Managers and General Managers
  • Business Development and Operations, Performance and Planning Leads
  • Commercial, Marketing and Communication Managers
  • Financial Planning, Contracts, Accounts and Finance Leads
  • Clinical Leads, Consultants and Senior Nurses

Past attendee feedback

This event follows on from the hugely successful ‘NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference’ held in September 2024 which welcomed attendees from across the country and was very well received:

"Very well set up, fantastic learning and networking day"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

"Very insightful into the current market and PPY future"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

"Central venue, good organization, inclusive. Excellent to have insurers in the room"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

"Good day, good networking, good experience"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

View further comments on SBK Healthcare events on Trust Pilot.

With thanks to our sponsors

An award-winning & secure healthcare software provider to Hospitals across the UK, including 19 of the top 20 earning NHS PPUs. Our #1 Private Patient Billing & Administrative Aolution, Compucare®, seamlessly integrates with your hospital PAS to maximise accuracy and efficiency.


Pharmacierge is the e-prescribing service chosen by private clinicians to deliver medication to their patients throughout the UK.  Clinicians create and transfer e-prescriptions to our pharmacy near Harley Street, for free medication delivery to their patients.


Patient Billing provide a fast, secure, personal medical billing & collection service for healthcare professionals in the private sector including consultants, groups & hospitals. Reduce admin time, protect your patient relationships and improve cash flow.


Chrysalis are the UK’s largest ethical, caring, responsible lender in healthcare! We have helped over 2 million patients spread the cost of their treatment, making Self-Pay more accessible and affordable. Talk to Chrysalis now to unlock more Self-Pay growth. 


Why sponsor this SBK Healthcare Forum

Our role at SBK Healthcare is to bring industry together with healthcare professionals so that you can educate and inform your audience. These trail-blazing forums offer dedicated presentations, Q&A, networking and discussion time, each sponsor will be fully immersed into the event and able to effectively engage with your NHS audience.

"Reinforced some of the ideas on pricing I have which will help me articulate back to my management"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

"Good to have them here"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

"Most useful"

NHS Private Patient Business Development Conference, September 2024

Interested in having your own event, managed by us?

SBK Healthcare also provides in-house forums. Working closely with you as the client we can research, produce, market and deliver the conference or online forum that best suits the audience and meets your goals.

Reach out today

If you would like more information on our sponsorship options an in-house forum or if you wish to discuss your needs and what solutions may be appropriate for your business, please contact: 

Vanessa Pearce 

Contact: 01732 897788 

Email: vanessa.pearce@sbk-healthcare.co.uk

Thank you for attending an event by SBK Healthcare. We are pleased to offer you on-line access to the documentation that you received at the event. This is an exclusive benefit for all of the attendees and includes additional and updated documentation.