About this event

Join the BMA’s patient liaison group (PLG) virtual symposium 2026 for a thought-provoking morning exploring how compassion can be placed at the heart of healthcare: for patients, communities and ourselves. This event will feature expert speakers as well as an audience Q&A. 

The symposium will examine: 

• collaborative practice
• AI in patient care
• the gaps in our healthcare system
• the wider case for compassionate care.

Speakers

• Rowena Skinner, BMA PLG co-chair.
• Emma Beeden, BMA PLG co-chair.
• Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, GP and CEO of London-wide LMCs.
• Stella O'Brien PhD (hc), PLG member, chair of The Health Improvement Studies
  Institute Engagement and Involvement Advisory Committee.
• Dr Carmel Bond, senior lecturer in mental health nursing, Sheffield Hallam
  University; visiting fellow, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University.
• Dr Cristina Costache, paediatrics registrar, PhD student, University of Manchester.
• Sir Al Aynsley-Green, professor of compassionate care, University of Northampton;
  first children’s commissioner for England 2004-9; and past-president BMA 2015-16.