A shared commitment to safer maternity care was at the forefront of the PEEPS Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Conference in Salford, which Health Innovation East colleagues attended in May 2026. 

The conference brought together families, clinicians, researchers and third-sector organisations to increase awareness of HIE, a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow around the time of birth.  

Creating a powerful space for collaboration, with a strong focus on lived experience, communication, the conference focused on how we can continue improving care and outcomes for babies and their families. It also offered a valuable opportunity to connect this learning to our work within the Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) programme.

Why this matters 

One of the most striking messages from the day was the far-reaching and life-changing impact of a HIE diagnosis not only for babies, but for entire families. Speakers and families highlighted how this experience reshapes lives, often in ways that clinicians may not fully appreciate in the moment.

A powerful reflection made by one of the attendees connected this theme back to the ABC programme teaching. A change from asking “how is the cardiotocography?”, to asking “how is the woman and the baby?” A simple reminder that care needs to be patient centred, and that reframing questions like these helps to maintain a connection between clinicians and their patients.

While data and risk are central to clinical decision-making, the conference reminded us that statistics only tell part of the story. This reinforces the importance of making patient safety work feel real, relevant, and personal for everyone involved in maternity and neonatal care.

In reviewing the recommended resources from the conference, the book ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalanithi, stood out. The following quote resonated with the themes shared by the lived experience presenters:  

Listening to lived experience 

A central theme throughout the conference was the importance of listening to, and learning from, those with lived experience. Patient stories shared during the event were deeply powerful, providing insights that cannot be captured through clinical data alone.  

The PEEPS charity reflected on this clearly in a LinkedIn post, noting that “listening to lived experience is where so much meaningful learning takes place.” In bringing families together with healthcare professionals and researchers, the PEEPS charity created an environment where perspectives could be shared openly, strengthening collective understanding.  

This emphasis on co-production aligns strongly with wider patient safety priorities and reinforces the importance of early integration and embedding of the patient voice across programmes such as ABC.

Clear is kind, unclear is unkind  

Communication emerged as one of the most consistent and important themes of the day. Several service user speakers highlighted the need for clear, compassionate, and inclusive conversations with families, particularly during highly stressful and uncertain situations. 

Simple actions can make a significant difference, such as: 

• Asking parents their names, how they are, and how things have been going 

• Checking understanding and inviting questions 

• Ensuring families are included as part of the Multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, discussions, and decisions  

The message “clear is kind, unclear is unkind” originally spoken by psychologist, academic researcher, and motivational speaker, Brené Brown, was referenced by many speakers throughout the day. This sentiment resonated strongly, reminding us that avoiding difficult conversations or providing partial information can unintentionally cause harm.  

There was also important reflection on accessibility. Considering reading age, language, and format of information is key to ensuring equity. Opportunities were identified to develop clearer, more accessible resources for the ABC programme. For example, using simple language, visual formats, or translated materials to better support the diverse populations across the east of England. 

Personalised and ongoing support

The importance of personalised, ongoing support for families was another key takeaway. Keynote speaker Nicholas Hamilton, professional British racing driver and disability ambassador, shared reflections on his own journey, emphasising that no two families’ needs are the same and that support must be tailored accordingly.

His insight that “parents not being alone at the start or any part of the journey is what’s needed” captured the importance of continuity, connection, and support across the entire care pathway.

This includes not only support during hospital care, but also after discharge, ensuring families have access to information, services, and community networks as they continue their journey.

Turning insight into practice 

Alongside these reflections, the conference highlighted practical considerations for improving safety and care delivery. 

Effective teamwork was a recurring theme, particularly in relation to training on and implementation of new techniques and tools. Successful use relies not only on the techniques and tools themselves, but on the systems and culture around it, including: 

• Clear escalation pathways and roles 
• Adequate staffing and support 
• Multidisciplinary training and practice 
• Strong team relationships and trust  

There was also an important focus on staff experience. Implementing new approaches without the necessary support can contribute to moral injury and disengagement. One speaker sited the definition of moral injury: “Moral injury can occur when someone engages in, fails to prevent, or witnesses acts that conflict with their values or beliefs and when they experience betrayal by trusted others especially when this is perceived as avoidable, or they are powerless to change it” (Wales Government, 2021). Moral injury was mentioned by many of the clinicians who spoke throughout the day, highlighting the constant, unrelenting pressures of working in such an impactful field.  

“Acknowledging the way we care for our staff affects the care they provide.” Shared by one of the speakers at the conference.  

These insights reinforce the need to consider both technical and human factors when designing and implementing patient safety initiatives. 

The power of collaboration 

The conference itself was a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration. By bringing together families, clinicians, researchers, and support organisations, it created opportunities for shared learning and mutual understanding. 

As reflected by the organisers, this collective approach is essential: we are stronger together, and there is significant value in continuing to build connections across sectors and communities.  

For those working within the Patient Safety Collaborative at Health Innovation East, this highlights the importance of strengthening links with patient groups and niche support networks, ensuring that insights from diverse communities inform ongoing work.

Looking ahead 

The PEEPS HIE Conference 2026 reinforced both the progress that has been made and the work that remains. There are clear opportunities to build on this learning within our work programmes, including: 

• Developing more accessible and inclusive patient information 
• Strengthening engagement with lived experience and patient groups 
• Supporting staff through training, resources, and system-wide approaches 
• Continuing to prioritise clear, compassionate communication 

Ultimately, the conference served as a powerful reminder that improving patient safety is not only about systems and processes, but about families, staff, and communities working together. 

As we continue this work, the message is clear: there is more to do, but by listening, learning and collaborating, we can continue to make meaningful progress.