Tackling IPC Challenges in Mental Health Settings
28th April 2026 | National Conference Centre, Birmingham
Rethinking Infection Control in Mental Health
Join healthcare leaders at the IPC in a Mental Health Setting 2026 Conference. A focused day exploring real-world challenges, practical solutions, and frontline innovation shaping safer mental health environments across the NHS and private care.
A Room Full of Decision-Makers
IPCMH 2026 brings together professionals from across the UK and beyond, working at every level of IPC in Mental Health Setting — from frontline staff to national leaders.
Infection Control & Clinical Leads
Head of IPC / DIPC
IPC Lead
IPC Matron
Infection Prevention Nurse
Physical Health Lead
Clinical Lead
Consultant in Infection Control
Mental Health & Nursing Roles
Mental Health Nurse / Practitioner
Adult Acute Mental Health Nurse
Ward Lead
Psychiatric Lead
Clinical Psychologist
Occupational Therapist
Forensic Lead
Facilities & Operations
Facilities Manager / Estates Lead
Hotel Services Manager
Cleaning & Decontamination Lead
Laundry & Linen Services Lead
Environmental Services Lead
Risk & Compliance Manager
Health & Safety Lead
Why Attend?
Break free from one-size-fits-all guidance and isolated working. This conference brings together leading voices in infection prevention and mental health care to share practical, real-world strategies designed for complex, secure, and high-risk environments. Learn what’s working on the frontline—and how to apply it in your setting.
The Challenges You Face
- Outbreaks behind locked doors – controlling infections in secure, high-risk settings
- Guidance that doesn’t fit – national IPC protocols rarely suit mental health care
- High risk, low time – balancing safety with therapeutic care under pressure
- Inconsistent teams, inconsistent practice – sustaining IPC standards with high staff turnover
Free to Attend
No cost for NHS professionals
7.5 CPD Points
Enhance your professional development
Speakers
Learn from NHS & Mental Health leaders
Innovation
See the latest solutions in action
Networking
Connect with senior decision-makers
Free Lunch
Stay energised throughout the day
Conference Speakers
Louise Forrester
Lead Nurse - Physical Health (Mental Health & L&D) Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
[Confirmed]
Candace Boyd
Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Specialist – Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
[Proposed]
Emma Hucker
Specialist Infection Prevention & Control Nurse - Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
[Confirmed]
Dawn Bradley
Ward Manager – Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
[Proposed]
Martyn Case
Lead Nurse Infection Prevention & Control - Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
[Confirmed]
Emma Clarke
Energy, Waste & Sustainability Manager - Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
[Confirmed]
Suzanna Osgerby
Hotel Services Manager - Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
[Confirmed]
Prof. Katie Laird
Professor of Microbiology - De Montfort University
[Confirmed]
Natalie Watts
Senior Infection Prevention & Control Nurse – Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
[Confirmed]
Conference Agenda
07:45 – 09:00
Compton
Registration, Coffee & Networking
09:05 – 09:15
Compton
Chairs Introduction
Louise Forrester – Lead Nurse – Physical Health (Mental Health & L&D) Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust [Confirmed]
09:15 – 09:35
Compton
Managing At-Risk Patients in Isolation and what we can teach Physical Health
A look at how we manage isolation of infectious patients in Mental Health and what Physical health settings can learn from this.
Emma Hucker – Specialist Infection Prevention & Control Nurse – Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust [Confirmed]
09:35 – 10:05
Compton
Group Discussion
10:05 – 10:25
Compton
Flu Vaccine Campaign
Natalie Watts – Senior Infection Prevention & Control Nurse – Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust [Confirmed]
10:25 – 10:55
Compton
Group Discussion
10:55 – 11:30
Compton
Morning Coffee & Networking
11:30 – 11:50
Compton
Sustainability and IPC in Practice
Introduction to NHS sustainability, opportunities for environmental improvements that imact IPC and case studies of how BDCFT have approached this.
Emma Clarke – Energy, Waste & Sustainability Manager – Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust [Confirmed]
11:50 – 12:10
Compton
Group Discussion
12:10 – 12:35
Compton
From Laundry Room to Resident Room: Translating IPC Research into Residential Practice
Residents in care and mental health settings are highly vulnerable to infection, yet laundry management — a key IPC area — is often overlooked. Contaminated textiles can spread C. difficile, MRSA, and norovirus, but practical IPC measures in residential care remain inconsistent.
A UK-wide study of over 1,000 participants revealed major gaps in compliance with HTM 01-04 and limited formal laundry IPC training. Many care homes struggled to balance infection control with “home-like” environments and space constraints.
These findings informed new national guidance — Safe Management of Linen in Residential, Nursing, or Other Social Care Environments — highlighting laundry as a vital but under-recognised aspect of IPC.
Prof. Katie Laird – Professor of Microbiology – De Montfort University [Confirmed]
12:35 – 13:45
Compton
Afternoon Lunch & Networking
13:45 – 14:05
Compton
The Challenges of Dispensers with Mental Health Environments
A discussion around the challenges we have faced within the Humber Trust when it comes to soap dispensers in mental health environments. Where we started, what we have tried and where we are now. The risks involved from the patients perspective- how do we keep them safe, along with the cleaning and Estates works required.
Suzanna Osgerby – Hotel Services Manager – Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust [Confirmed]
14:05 – 14:35
Compton
Group Discussion
14:35 – 14:50
Compton
Common Causes of Outbreaks and Management from a Mental Health Perspective
Management of Respiratory virus outbreaks and Norovirus in a Mental Health Facility
Martyn Case – Lead Nurse Infection Prevention & Control – Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust [Confirmed]
14:50 – 15:05
Compton
Outbreaks on Snowdrop Ward – What Did We Learn From It?
Candace Boyd – Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Specialist – Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust [Proposed]
Dawn Bradley – Ward Manager – Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust [Proposed]
15:05 – 15:25
Compton
Group Discussion
15:25 – 16:30
Compton
Panel Discussion: What Have We Learned Today? – Q&A
16:30
Compton
Close of Conference