Paediatrics and Child Health Technology Conference
2-3 December 2026 | Sheffield, UK & Online
Please note that this event is supported by industry sponsorship, including pharmaceutical and medical technology companies. Sponsors have no influence over the agenda or the selection of speakers, except for sponsored sessions which will be clearly labelled in the programme.
Confirmed Speakers
DAY ONE
PROFESSOR PAUL DIMITRI
Director
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health
Director of Innovation
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Vice President for Science and Research
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
CHAIR
Read bio
Professor Paul Dimitri is the Director of Innovation and a Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. He is Professor of Child Health Technology at the University of Sheffield and Professor of Child Health at Sheffield Hallam University. Professor Dimitri’s research spans child health technology, paediatric endocrinology, and skeletal development, and he is widely published in these fields.
Professor Dimitri is the Director of the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health and the Vice President for Science and Research at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, shaping the national research agenda and policy for child health across the UK through strategic partnerships. He was the NIHR National Children’s Specialty Lead from 2016-2024 leading 15 networks to position the UK as a global leader in child health research.
Professor Dimitri is leading on the development of the National Centre for Child Health Technology, a global first 42,000 ft2 centre bringing together industry, universities, healthcare professionals, children and young people and their families to develop the most advanced healthcare technologies for children worldwide.
DR VENKAT REDDY
Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Education Director
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health
Clinical Lead
NHS England GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) CYP Neurodevelopmental Pathways
Digital Co-Lead
Cambridge Children’s Hospital Project
KEYNOTE
“Do we need humans to make a diagnosis of Neurodevelopmental conditions in Children and Young People?”
Read bio
Venkat is a Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. He is the Education Director for NIHR HealthTech Research Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Digital Co-lead for Cambridge Children’s Hospital project and NHS England Clinical Lead for GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) CYP Neurodevelopmental Pathways. He is a member of Clinical Reference Group supporting the NHS England CYP Transformation Programme and the development of BCYP Modern Service Framework.
Venkat was a Clinical Director, and Officer for Digital Health Technology for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health until 2025. He has clinical and research interest in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Venkat has long term interest in digital health and completed MSc in Digital Health Leadership at NHS Digital Academy and Imperial College, London. He is passionate about responsible use of digital technology and AI to support clinicians and service users in transdiagnostic integrated neurodevelopmental services.
PROFESSOR ANDREW TAYLOR
Director of Innovation
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Professor of Cardiovascular Imaging
University College London
SEMINAR
“AI in Paediatric Health – How do we see through all the hype and noise?”
Read bio
Professor Andrew Taylor is the Director of Innovation at GOSH, responsible for the Digital Research, Innovation & Virtual Environments (DRIVE) unit, the Cell & Gene Therapy manufacturing facility, and a new Paediatric Innovation hub. He has recently been appointed as the lead for the Applied Child Health Informatics Theme in the NIHR GOSH Biomedical Research Centre.
He has held University and Hospital leadership and management roles over the last decade.
Clinically, he is an expert in cardiovascular imaging and has established the Centre for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging at GOSH, and has held a variety of University and Hospital leadership and management roles over the last decade.
Areas of expertise:
- Use of data and AI in healthcare (including data & AI governance)
- Use of virtual reality, computer modelling, and 3D rapid prototyping in healthcare
- Development of new cardiovascular medical devices
- Cardiovascular imaging in congenital and acquired heart disease
- Medical leadership and management
DR TAMSIN HOLLAND BROWN
Clinical Lead
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme
Paediatrician
Cambridge East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
SEMINAR
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme: “Innovations emerging from the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) and how to join the CEP for those with new ideas”
Read bio
Tamsin is a paediatrician in Cambridge, and clinical lead for the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. She is founder of Paediatric HealthTech Ltd and the Hear Glue Ear app and product which led to work in Malawi and joining the World Health Organisation’s ‘world hearing forum’. She is Entrepreneur in Residence at Anglia Ruskin University and part of the RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) digital committee.
DR LOUISE ALLEN
Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Founder
Neocam Ltd. & Cambridge Medical Innovation Ltd.
SEMINAR
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme: “It’s not just about the tech – how to commercialise your innovation”
Read bio
Louise is a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Cambridge University NHS Trust, Associate Professor at University of Cambridge and founder of two medtech start ups. She has developed 5 medical devices designed to improve accessibility and diagnosis for infants and children. She has first hand experience of commercialising, implementing and scaling medtech devices in the NHS.
MS ALEXANDRA NORRISH
Managing Director
Children’s Hospital Alliance
Development Director
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
SPOTLIGHT
“Child Health in England and the Implications for Research”
Read bio
Alexandra Norrish holds a dual role as Development Director at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and as Managing Director of the national Children’s Hospital Alliance, which brings together specialist children’s hospitals in England and Northern Ireland. She has worked in the NHS since 2014, with a focus on innovation, collaboration between acute providers, and improving access to care. Prior to moving to the NHS she worked for 15 years in the civil service, in the Department of Health, Cabinet Office and Number 10.
DR LUIS FERNANDEZ-LUQUE
Research Director
Adhera Health, Spain
SPONSORED SEMINAR
“Supporting the Journey: Digital Health for Children and Families in Diabetes and Growth Hormone Care”
Read bio
Luis Fernández-Luque, PhD is co-founder of Adhera Health where he leads the company’s activities across Europe. He has two decades of experience in digital health, combining artificial intelligence, behavioral science and human-centered design to build solutions for families managing chronic pediatric conditions, including type 1 diabetes and growth hormone disorders.
His career spans research roles in Spain, Norway, Qatar and the United States, alongside close collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and universities across Europe, Asia and North America on digital health research and implementation. He holds an h-index of 41 with over 100 publications in the field.
At Adhera Health, this experience translates into digital programs that support families through the emotional and practical dimensions of chronic-condition care, combining clinical grounding with real-world partnerships and everyday usability for children and caregivers.
DR PAULA VAN DOMMELEN
Scientist
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO)
SPONSORED SEMINAR
“From Conversations to Clinical Insights: Using AI to Support Patient Care”
Read bio
Dr. Paula van Dommelen is a scientist at The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Her work focuses on developing technological innovations and data-driven solutions to improve child health worldwide. She develops innovative statistical methods, personalized child healthcare applications, decision support systems, youth healthcare guidelines, and implementation strategies, and conducts research on both mental and physical child health.
MR HARRIS SLATER
Strategic Collaborations Manager
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Network
SEMINAR
Sustainable HealthTech Innovation: “How do we develop HealthTech for people, planet and profit?”
Read bio
As Strategic Collaborations Manager for the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Network, Harris is responsible for fostering partnerships across the UK HealthTech landscape that maximise the value and impact of NIHR’s HealthTech expertise and infrastructure. He leads the Network’s involvement in the NIHR Net Zero Catalyst, a bespoke training programme for innovators to embed sustainability in the design and development of new HealthTech.
Harris has held policy and service management roles in NIHR, NHS England and NHS trusts, and is passionate about sustainability, service improvement and patient engagement in research and healthcare.
MR MATT WILLOX
Designer
Co-Lab 3
SEMINAR
Sustainable HealthTech Innovation: “NIHR Net Zero Catalyst”
Read bio
Matt Willox is a designer and researcher with an established track record of working across healthcare, product development and manufacturing. Formerly part of Design Futures at Sheffield Hallam University, Matt is now a co-founder and director of Co-Lab 3, an independent design and development consultancy based in Sheffield.
His work focuses on using human-centred design, research and practical prototyping to address complex challenges, working collaboratively with clinicians, patients, researchers and industry partners to develop innovative products and services.
Matt has a particular interest in sustainable design, circular materials and the environmental impact of healthcare products. Through his participation in the NHS Net Zero Catalyst programme, he has explored how design approaches can help identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts while balancing clinical need, usability and practical manufacturing considerations.
He is particularly interested in making sustainability tangible and accessible.
DAY ONE
PROFESSOR PAUL DIMITRI
Director
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health
Director of Innovation
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Vice President for Science and Research
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
CHAIR
Read bio
Professor Paul Dimitri is the Director of Innovation and a Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. He is Professor of Child Health Technology at the University of Sheffield and Professor of Child Health at Sheffield Hallam University. Professor Dimitri’s research spans child health technology, paediatric endocrinology, and skeletal development, and he is widely published in these fields.
Professor Dimitri is the Director of the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health and the Vice President for Science and Research at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, shaping the national research agenda and policy for child health across the UK through strategic partnerships. He was the NIHR National Children’s Specialty Lead from 2016-2024 leading 15 networks to position the UK as a global leader in child health research.
Professor Dimitri is leading on the development of the National Centre for Child Health Technology, a global first 42,000 ft2 centre bringing together industry, universities, healthcare professionals, children and young people and their families to develop the most advanced healthcare technologies for children worldwide.
DR VENKAT REDDY
Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Education Director
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health
Clinical Lead
NHS England GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) CYP Neurodevelopmental Pathways
Digital Co-Lead
Cambridge Children’s Hospital Project
KEYNOTE
“Do we need humans to make a diagnosis of Neurodevelopmental conditions in Children and Young People?”
Read bio
Venkat is a Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. He is the Education Director for NIHR HealthTech Research Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Digital Co-lead for Cambridge Children’s Hospital project and NHS England Clinical Lead for GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) CYP Neurodevelopmental Pathways. He is a member of Clinical Reference Group supporting the NHS England CYP Transformation Programme and the development of BCYP Modern Service Framework.
Venkat was a Clinical Director, and Officer for Digital Health Technology for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health until 2025. He has clinical and research interest in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Venkat has long term interest in digital health and completed MSc in Digital Health Leadership at NHS Digital Academy and Imperial College, London. He is passionate about responsible use of digital technology and AI to support clinicians and service users in transdiagnostic integrated neurodevelopmental services.
PROFESSOR ANDREW TAYLOR
Director of Innovation
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Professor of Cardiovascular Imaging
University College London
SEMINAR
“AI in Paediatric Health – How do we see through all the hype and noise?”
Read bio
Professor Andrew Taylor is the Director of Innovation at GOSH, responsible for the Digital Research, Innovation & Virtual Environments (DRIVE) unit, the Cell & Gene Therapy manufacturing facility, and a new Paediatric Innovation hub. He has recently been appointed as the lead for the Applied Child Health Informatics Theme in the NIHR GOSH Biomedical Research Centre.
He has held University and Hospital leadership and management roles over the last decade.
Clinically, he is an expert in cardiovascular imaging and has established the Centre for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging at GOSH, and has held a variety of University and Hospital leadership and management roles over the last decade.
Areas of expertise:
- Use of data and AI in healthcare (including data & AI governance)
- Use of virtual reality, computer modelling, and 3D rapid prototyping in healthcare
- Development of new cardiovascular medical devices
- Cardiovascular imaging in congenital and acquired heart disease
- Medical leadership and management
DR TAMSIN HOLLAND BROWN
Clinical Lead
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme
Paediatrician
Cambridge East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
SEMINAR
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme: “Innovations emerging from the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) and how to join the CEP for those with new ideas”
Read bio
Tamsin is a paediatrician in Cambridge, and clinical lead for the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. She is founder of Paediatric HealthTech Ltd and the Hear Glue Ear app and product which led to work in Malawi and joining the World Health Organisation’s ‘world hearing forum’. She is Entrepreneur in Residence at Anglia Ruskin University and part of the RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) digital committee.
DR LOUISE ALLEN
Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Founder
Neocam Ltd. & Cambridge Medical Innovation Ltd.
SEMINAR
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme: “Innovations emerging from the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (CEP) and how to join the CEP for those with new ideas”
Read bio
Louise is a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Cambridge University NHS Trust, Associate Professor at University of Cambridge and founder of two medtech start ups. She has developed 5 medical devices designed to improve accessibility and diagnosis for infants and children. She has first hand experience of commercialising, implementing and scaling medtech devices in the NHS.
MS ALEXANDRA NORRISH
Managing Director
Children’s Hospital Alliance
Development Director
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
SPOTLIGHT
“Child Health in England and the Implications for Research”
Read bio
Alexandra Norrish holds a dual role as Development Director at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and as Managing Director of the national Children’s Hospital Alliance, which brings together specialist children’s hospitals in England and Northern Ireland. She has worked in the NHS since 2014, with a focus on innovation, collaboration between acute providers, and improving access to care. Prior to moving to the NHS she worked for 15 years in the civil service, in the Department of Health, Cabinet Office and Number 10.
DR LUIS FERNANDEZ-LUQUE
Research Director
Adhera Health, Spain
SPONSORED SEMINAR
“Supporting the Journey: Digital Health for Children and Families in Diabetes and Growth Hormone Care”
Read bio
Luis Fernández-Luque, PhD is co-founder of Adhera Health where he leads the company’s activities across Europe. He has two decades of experience in digital health, combining artificial intelligence, behavioral science and human-centered design to build solutions for families managing chronic pediatric conditions, including type 1 diabetes and growth hormone disorders.
His career spans research roles in Spain, Norway, Qatar and the United States, alongside close collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and universities across Europe, Asia and North America on digital health research and implementation. He holds an h-index of 41 with over 100 publications in the field.
At Adhera Health, this experience translates into digital programs that support families through the emotional and practical dimensions of chronic-condition care, combining clinical grounding with real-world partnerships and everyday usability for children and caregivers.
DR PAULA VAN DOMMELEN
Scientist
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO)
SPONSORED SEMINAR
“From Conversations to Clinical Insights: Using AI to Support Patient Care”
Read bio
Dr. Paula van Dommelen is a scientist at The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Her work focuses on developing technological innovations and data-driven solutions to improve child health worldwide. She develops innovative statistical methods, personalized child healthcare applications, decision support systems, youth healthcare guidelines, and implementation strategies, and conducts research on both mental and physical child health.
MR HARRIS SLATER
Strategic Collaborations Manager
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Network
SEMINAR
Sustainable HealthTech Innovation: “How do we develop HealthTech for people, planet and profit?”
Read bio
As Strategic Collaborations Manager for the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Network, Harris is responsible for fostering partnerships across the UK HealthTech landscape that maximise the value and impact of NIHR’s HealthTech expertise and infrastructure. He leads the Network’s involvement in the NIHR Net Zero Catalyst, a bespoke training programme for innovators to embed sustainability in the design and development of new HealthTech.
Harris has held policy and service management roles in NIHR, NHS England and NHS trusts, and is passionate about sustainability, service improvement and patient engagement in research and healthcare.
MR MATT WILLOX
Designer
Co-Lab 3
SEMINAR
Sustainable HealthTech Innovation: “NIHR Net Zero Catalyst”
Read bio
Matt Willox is a designer and researcher with an established track record of working across healthcare, product development and manufacturing. Formerly part of Design Futures at Sheffield Hallam University, Matt is now a co-founder and director of Co-Lab 3, an independent design and development consultancy based in Sheffield.
His work focuses on using human-centred design, research and practical prototyping to address complex challenges, working collaboratively with clinicians, patients, researchers and industry partners to develop innovative products and services.
Matt has a particular interest in sustainable design, circular materials and the environmental impact of healthcare products. Through his participation in the NHS Net Zero Catalyst programme, he has explored how design approaches can help identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts while balancing clinical need, usability and practical manufacturing considerations.
He is particularly interested in making sustainability tangible and accessible.