2026 ILC Annual International Conference
Oxford, UK
Future Proofing Person-Centred Fundamental Care
The 2026 International Learning Collaborative (ILC) Annual Conference, held over two days in Oxford, UK, brought together more than 200 delegates, both in person and virtually, from 16 countries to explore the theme Future-Proofing Person-Centred Fundamental Care. The conference welcomed international leaders, researchers, educators, clinicians, students, and people with lived experience, all united by a shared passion for advancing and sustaining person-centred fundamental care across health and care systems globally.
Overall, the conference was a tremendous success. Delegates left feeling inspired, energised, and equipped with new ideas, collaborations, and connections. Throughout the two days, there was a fantastic atmosphere, with lively discussions, constant chatter between sessions, and a real sense of excitement and optimism about the future of fundamental care. The conference provided a wonderful opportunity for like-minded people from around the world to come together, share experiences, challenge thinking, and build lasting relationships. The networking opportunities were a particular highlight, with delegates embracing every chance to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.
The programme featured three interactive workshops, 50 oral presentations, and 53 poster presentations, showcasing cutting-edge research, innovation, and practice developments from across the globe. Keynote sessions explored strategic partnerships, the evolving value of nursing within health systems, technological advances in healthcare, and the critical role of the workforce in sustaining person-centred care.
Highlights included a stimulating opening address from Sir Jonathan Montgomery, who challenged delegates to consider how rapid technological advances may shape the future of care. Professor Mette Groenkjaer reflected on Denmark’s strategic journey and the collaborations required to shift cultures within organisations and across countries. Dr Olga Yakusheva delivered a compelling keynote on the Human Capital Value of Nursing in the Age of Big Tech, receiving a standing ovation for her powerful message on valuing nursing and nurses. Professor Jane Ball concluded the first day by reinforcing the essential role of nurses in delivering person-centred care.
Day Two continued to inspire delegates, with Professor Helen Walthall exploring the role of patients, communities, and the nursing voice in fundamental care. Amanda Williams captivated the audience with her moving account of navigating the UK health and social care system as a family carer, earning a second standing ovation and leaving a lasting impression on participants.
Concurrent sessions reflected a broad range of topics, including implementation of the Fundamentals of Care framework, measurement and evaluation, co-design with patients and families, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovations in clinical and educational practice. The quality of presentations and posters was exceptional, generating thought-provoking discussions and inspiring delegates to take new ideas back to their own organisations and countries.
A key feature of the conference was a structured networking session designed by the ILC Conference Committee to co-design the 2026 ILC Oxford Statement. Prior to the conference, a thematic analysis of all accepted abstracts was undertaken to identify the core elements representing the conference’s focus on future-proofing person-centred fundamental care. This process resulted in seven summary theme statements, which delegates reviewed and discussed in small groups. The session generated high levels of engagement and rich discussion, demonstrating strong agreement that six of the seven statements accurately reflected the content and emphasis of the conference.
The themes identified were:
- From Evidence to Endurance: Sustaining Fundamental Care in Practice through Implementation Science
- Foundations for Teaching Fundamental Care: Developing Didactic Models and Philosophical Foundations of Fundamental Care
- Amplifying Patients’ Voices in Fundamental Care Research through Patient-Reported Measures, Co-Production, and Mixed Methods
- Advancing Relational Competence for Inclusion and Equity through Inclusive Relational Practices in Care
- Integrated Care in Complex Systems: The Power of Complex Interventions and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- When Technology Advances but Person-Centred Care Disappears: Uncovering Digital, Gendered, and Organisational Drivers
- A seventh theme aligned with future-proofing person-centred fundamental care emerged through the abstract analysis and contributed to shaping the final Oxford Statement.
Across the programme and thematic analysis, the conference demonstrated a strong international commitment to strengthening and future-proofing person-centred fundamental care through coordinated developments in evidence generation, implementation, education, policy, and collaborative practice.
The conference concluded with the exciting announcement that the 2027 ILC Annual Conference will be held in Aalborg, Denmark, leaving delegates inspired and motivated to continue working together to advance person-centred fundamental care globally.