Conference

2026 Conference -Advancing Stroke Care Together

Thursday 17th September 2026

Stirling Court Hotel,

University of Stirling,

Stirling

Advancing Stroke Care Together

With a focus on inequalities in stroke care and how we address these in practice, the 2026 conference brought together clinical, research and lived experience perspectives across the day.

Speakers and Presentations

• Dr Matt Lambert, National Clinical Lead for Stroke and Stroke Specialty Advisor to the CMO,
• Prof. Mary-Joan McLeod, Clinical Pharmacologist and Honorary Consultant in Stroke, NHS Grampian, Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme Lead
• Jo Stevens, Stroke Specialist Nurse/ACP, Bury Community Stroke Team
• Prof. Lorna Paul, Allied Health Science, Glasgow Caledonian University. Principal investigator for PRACTISE trial.
• Dr Sarah Keir, Consultant in Stroke Medicine and Medicine for the Elderly, NHS Lothian.
• Mrs Nancy McStravick, Parent Representative for Childhood Stroke, Stroke Association.

Exhibitors

The conference invited anyone involved in stroke care, rehabilitation and long-term support to attend. The attendees included Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Psychologists, Doctors, Researchers, Educators and Students, as well as representatives from the Third Sector.

Click here to view the Scottish Stroke Allied Health Professionals website

Programme Focus

The conference programme focused on addressing inequalities across the stroke pathway, with spotlight sessions on childhood stroke, lived experience, and evidence‑informed practice. It explored what Realistic Medicine and shifting the balance of care mean for nurses and allied health professionals, and highlighted the leadership role of stroke nursing and AHPs in advancing stroke care together. The 2026 programme featured keynote talks, practical case‑study‑focused discussions, and a fast‑paced, interactive improvement and research showcase highlighting innovation from across stroke services.

SSAHPF & SSNF 2026 Conference Programme

08.45-09.15 – Registration & coffee

09:15-09:20 – Welcome & opening remarks (Ms Gillian Capriotti & Ms Zara Tumblety)

MORNING SESSIONS 

09:20-09:30 – Plenary 1: Stronger Together: Nursing & AHP Leadership for Equitable Stroke Care (Dr Matt Lambert)

09:30-09:45 – Plenary 2: Mind the Gaps: Stroke audit data, inequalities and next steps (Dr Mary-Joan MacLeod)

09:45-10:10 – Plenary 3: Realistic Medicine: Implications for stroke nurses & AHPs (Dr Sarah Keir)

10:10-10:25 – Plenary 4: Getting it Right Early: Why childhood stroke matters (Ms Nancy McStravick)

10:25-10:40 – Panel discussion/Q&A (All)

10:40-11:15 – Morning coffee, Posters & Exhibition

11:15-12:00 – Beyond the Data: Real Stories of Inequality in Stroke Care Lived experience panel, facilitated by Dr Charlie Chung

12:00-12:30 – AGMs (SSNF & SSAHPF) (Rooms A&B) (Ms Gillian Capriotti & Ms Zara Tumblety)

12:30-13:30 – Lunch, Posters & Exhibition

AFTERNOON SESSIONS 

13:30-14:00– From Abstracts to Action: Improvement & Research Showcase.

14:00-15:10

• Concurrent case study session 1:
  Stroke Care Without Borders: Navigating the Rural Patient Journey
  Session (invited talks from SSNF members followed by an interactive panel discussion)
• Concurrent workshop session 2:
  Improving equitable access to stroke rehabilitation: challenges and solutions (invited talks by Thérèse Lebedis OBE and Prof. Lorna Paul, followed by a facilitated Round Table Discussion)

15:10-15:20 – Comfort break & return to main room

15:20-15:50 – Plenary 5: Women’s Health Plan & Menstrual Health and Stroke (Dr Amy Small (prerecord) & Ms Jo Stevens)

15:50-16:05 – Closing remarks (Ms Amy Callaghan)

16:05-16:15 – Thanks & prizes (Ms Gillian Capriotti & Ms Zara Tumblety)

Conference Day- 2026