What conference did you attend, and why? I attended HIMSS (Health Information and Management Systems Society) 2026 in Copenhagen, a leading global digital health conference. I was supported through the AEW Matthew Scholarship to explore how organisations are using data, digitalisation and AI to improve care.
What was the focus of the event? The event focused on the practical implementation of AI and digital health, with an emphasis on improving patient outcomes, ensuring equitable access, and scaling solutions that deliver value. A key theme was the shift from experimentation to value-driven implementation. The emphasis to many presentations was to start small, clearly define outcomes, and then scaling solutions that demonstrate measurable outcomes. Reliable data foundations were highlighted as critical.
The keynote by Karen Hao (AI journalist) challenged attendees to consider who benefits from AI and at what cost, reinforcing the need for responsible, equitable adoption. I would encourage staff to listen to any of her podcasts and audio book.
A hospital tour at Rigshospitalet provided practical examples of digital solutions delivering measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
What was the standout learning or nugget of information that grabbed your attention? A key takeaway was to start small and scale what works. Successful organisations are focusing on clear problems, measuring outcomes early, and expanding proven solutions rather than over-investing upfront.
Also, AI is here to stay however it must deliver real value. Reducing the administrative burden of clinicians to enable more patient facing time is where the use of AI will be of greatest benefit.
Was there anything you saw or heard about that you would like to bring back and implement at SWH? Yes, there was quite a lot but the key to any product or solution was to ensure all affected stakeholders were clear on “why” the solution was required.
What was Copenhagen like as a city? Amazing. It is clean and safe with a strong focus on sustainability. Most people cycle but public transport is very accessible and on time!
Best meal you ate? Danish pastries were a staple each morning. I loved the moule frites (mussels and fries) at the food markets.
Favourite thing you did outside of work? Exploring the city by bike (I did a guided bike tour of the city) and along the waterfront was a highlight.