By Henry Thornton | October 7, 2026
Last Updated on October 7, 2026
Hosted by Digital Care Hub, the Summit brought together care providers, policymakers, technology leaders, researchers, people with lived experience and frontline professionals for a day of meaningful discussion, learning and collaboration focussed on how digital care solutions can facilitate Government’s Neighbourhood Health agenda.
What stood out from the outset of the Summit was its collaborative nature. The Summit was co-produced with organisations including Care Providers’ Voice, London Care and Support Forum, NHS England, Care City, Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) and the National Co-Production Advisory Group, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives were represented throughout the day.
The opening sessions set an inspiring tone. A particularly memorable highlight was the performance by the Empathy theatre group from Greenwich Carers Centre. Through authentic storytelling based on lived experience, the performance explored the challenges unpaid carers face when navigating increasingly digital health and care services. It was a powerful reminder that digital transformation must always remain focused on accessibility, inclusion and the people who rely on care and support.
The main plenary session, Fully Digitised: Beyond Digital Social Care Records to AI and Emerging Technologies, generated significant discussion. Bringing together experts from technology, academia, health and social care, the panel addressed both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and emerging technologies. The conversation was refreshingly balanced, recognising the immense potential of innovation while also acknowledging important ethical, practical and implementation considerations. Attendees were left with a clearer understanding of how technology can support more personalised, proactive and connected care in the years ahead.
Emphasis on practical implementation
The breakout sessions offered something for everyone. Topics ranged from data sharing and research to cyber security, AI-supported care and digital regulation. Sessions such as Help! I’ve Been Hacked! and Effective Communications During a Cyber Incident provided practical advice that delegates could immediately take back to their organisations. These workshops transformed complex cyber security concepts into accessible and actionable learning opportunities, helping providers build resilience in an increasingly digital environment.
Equally valuable were the discussions around data and integrated care. Sessions including Connecting Care Across London and Vivaldi Social Care: What Should Social Care Data Tell Us Next? demonstrated how data can be used responsibly to improve outcomes, support evidence-based decision making and create a more joined-up care system. The speakers consistently highlighted how better information sharing and digital tools can enhance safety, quality and person-centred care.
One of the Summit’s key strengths was its emphasis on practical implementation, with tangible advice on making change happen. Sessions such as Ready for Care Tech? The Conditions for Success and Proactive by Design: What AI-Supported Care Really Looks Like in Practice explored the realities of introducing technology into care settings, covering organisational readiness, workforce engagement and long-term adoption. These conversations ensured that attendees left with concrete ideas rather than abstract concepts.
Moving beyond digitisation
A recurring theme throughout the day was that digital transformation is fundamentally about people. The Summit reinforced the importance of keeping individuals who draw on care and support at the heart of innovation. Whether discussing AI, data sharing or digital care records, speakers consistently emphasised that technology should support human relationships, enhance quality of life and enable more personalised care.
Another key takeaway was that the sector is rapidly moving beyond basic digitisation. While digital social care records are becoming established as a foundation, discussions throughout the Summit demonstrated growing interest in AI, remote monitoring, predictive insights and data-driven decision making. At the same time, speakers stressed the importance of responsible implementation, ensuring innovation is supported by strong governance, ethics and workforce engagement.
Collaboration also emerged as a central priority. Sessions on Neighbourhood Health, integrated care and partnership working highlighted the importance of strong relationships between care providers, local authorities, integrated care boards (ICBs) and health services. Delegates heard compelling examples of how shared records, coordinated planning and effective data sharing can help create a more connected care system. The Summit demonstrated that no organisation can achieve digital transformation alone, and that meaningful progress depends on partnership and co-production.
Cyber security was another area of significant focus. Interactive workshops demonstrated that cyber resilience is now a core responsibility for every care organisation. Attendees were given practical guidance on preventing cyber incidents, improving staff awareness and communicating effectively when incidents occur. These sessions provided valuable reassurance that, with the right preparation and support, care providers can confidently navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
The people behind digital transformation
Networking opportunities were another highlight. The expert surgeries hosted by Evaran, Lester Aldridge and the Department of Health and Social Care allowed attendees to engage directly with specialists on issues ranging from data governance and inspection readiness to regulatory compliance and sector-wide data insights. These informal discussions added value to the day, creating opportunities for personalised learning and problem solving.
The Summit also celebrated the people behind digital transformation. The Digital Care Photography Competition 2026, sponsored by Nourish, brought an inspiring and human dimension to the event, showcasing stories of technology supporting independence, wellbeing and high-quality care. The exhibition encouraged delegates to reflect on the real-world impact of innovation and reinforced one of the Summit’s core messages that digital transformation is ultimately about improving lives.
Harnessing digital innovation for positive change
The closing discussions on Neighbourhood Health, partnership working and collaboration between ICBs, local authorities and care providers captured the spirit of the day. Speakers highlighted the importance of strong relationships, shared goals and common digital foundations in delivering better outcomes for communities. The conversations were honest, constructive and future-focused, leaving delegates optimistic about the direction of adult social care.
Overall, the Digital Care Summit London 2026 successfully combined vision, practicality and genuine collaboration. It also remained firmly rooted in the values of adult social care, ensuring that technology was always discussed as a means to improve experiences and outcomes for people. Attendees left with practical ideas, valuable new connections and renewed confidence in the sector’s ability to harness digital innovation for positive change.
CMM was proud to join Digital Care Hub as its Media Partner at the Digital Care Summit London 2026. This included judging the Digital Care Photography Competition 2026. To read the stories behind the winning images, click here.
Look out for more coverage of the Digital Care Summit London 2026 as CMM sits down with Michelle Corrigan, Chief Executive Officer at Digital Care Hub, to take stock of the sector’s digitisation to date, and look forward to the future.