Tackling Inequities in Patient Safety: Highlights from the NIHR SafetyNet Symposium 2025

by | 5 Dec 2025 | Blog, News, Training and events | 0 comments

On 17 October, Manchester became the centre of innovation and collaboration in patient safety as we brought together researchers, clinicians, public contributors and national partners for the first NIHR SafetyNet Symposium 2025.

Hosted by the NIHR Greater Manchester PSRC, and supported by all six PSRCs across England, the event delivered a day of inspiring keynotes, thought-provoking research showcases from the PSRCs, and a vibrant poster exhibition, all around the theme: Tackling Inequities in Patient Safety.

The Symposium strengthened national collaboration, showcased innovative work, and provided a platform to discuss emerging challenges and future priorities in patient safety. A huge thank you to all speakers, contributors, volunteers and attendees for making this first SafetyNet Symposium a huge success!

 

Key highlights from the day:

  • Keynote by Dr Rosie Benneyworth, Chief Executive Officer, HSSIB – Moving away from a ‘whose to blame’ culture
  • Keynote by Prof Dawn Edge, Professor of Mental Health and Inclusivity at the University of Manchester – Ethnic inequities in patient safety: addressing structural barriers 
  • Patient Safety Healthcare Inequalities Reduction Framework, presented by NHSE’s Dr Hester Wain, outlining practical steps for reducing disparities in care.
  • Research showcases from the six PSRCs, from understanding healthcare-associated harm in prisons to co-designing interventions for under-represented groups.

Click below to see more photos.

  • Best Overall Poster
  • Best Example of Patient and Public Involvement
  • Best Innovation in Patient Safety
  • Best Contribution to Tackling Inequities

See below for the winners and runners-up in each category.

Best Overall Poster

Winner
Gail Opio-te – NIHR Yorkshire and Humber PSRC

Poster: Providing Safety Equity in the Management of Deterioration: A Realist Review and Evaluation of Hospital at Home for Children

Prof Beth Fylan receiving the award on behalf of Gail Opio-te

Poster: The impact of Barcode Medication Administration on Patient Safety in UK Hospital Settings: a Mixed-methods Realist Evaluation

Aseel Mahmoud receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Poster: Improving Medication Safety After Discharge from Mental Health Hospitals: Co-developing Recommendations with Stakeholders

Mark Jeffries receiving the award on behalf of Richard Keers

Poster: E-PERISCOPE: Evaluation of National Perioperative Screening and Optimisation Programme – Preliminary Findings

Grainne Brady receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Poster: Formative Evaluation of Forum Theatre to Promote Safer Service Co-Design in Maternity Care

Saba Tariq receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Poster: Improving Antimicrobial Prescribing Safety with ‘Ask Eolas’: A Simulation Study of AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support

William Waldock receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Poster: Bridging Health Equity: Culturally Adapting the ‘I Manage My Meds’ Toolkit for Diverse Older Populations

Ed Breckin receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Ed Breckin receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Poster: Understanding the Impact of Language Barriers on Patient Safety in a Paediatric Emergency Department: A Rapid Ethnography

Ricky Odedra receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Ricky Odedra receiving the award from the chair, Prof Rebecca Lawton

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Keynote speech

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey

Visual artist: Tom Bailey