Sheffield Children’s hosts the Sheffield Young People and Healthcare Transition Conference 2026

At Sheffield Children’s, we care for thousands of children and young people and provide a dedicated healthcare transition service that works alongside healthcare professionals to deliver a smooth, coordinated and person-centred transition to adult services. We believe that every child and young person deserves to feel supported, heard and confident throughout their healthcare journey, especially during key transition moments in their lives.

We’re proud to work in partnership colleagues in South Yorkshire and beyond to provide a seamless and supported experience for young people, including through meaningful partnerships with young people themselves.

As part of this work, Sheffield Children’s hosted the Sheffield Young Person and Healthcare Transition Conference 2026 where healthcare professionals, researchers, innovators and young people from across the UK came together at The Spark, home of the National Centre for Child Health Technology.

The conference was hosted in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health. Special guests included members of Sheffield Children’s Youth Forum who helped chair the event, shared their experiences of, and hosted a thought-provoking quiz for delegates!

Professionals from a range of disciplines discussed the latest research, lived experience and expertise supporting young people, as well exploring the opportunities technology offers in supporting young people as they move through different stages of care and transition between services.

A key focus throughout the day was understanding how digital tools can improve access to care, empower young people, provide options for self-management and improve continuity of support across NHS services. The conference also showed the impact of national policy on outcomes for young people and explored the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital age.

Yvonne Millard, Chief Nurse at Sheffield Children’s, said: “Young people are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today. This conference reinforced the importance of listening to their experiences and involving them in shaping the services they use. By working together across organisations and professions, we can ensure every young person feels supported, empowered and confident as they move through key transitions in their life journey.”

The event featured a programme of keynote presentations from clinicians, researchers and innovators, alongside practical showcases of projects and approaches already making a difference for children and young people. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from examples of digital innovation, share experiences, and discuss how technology can help create more connected, responsive and accessible healthcare services.

Throughout the day, speakers highlighted the importance of designing services with and around the needs of young people to make sure digital tools enhance engagement, communication and continuity of care. The conference also provided valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration between clinicians, researchers, healthcare leaders and partners working in different parts of the country – all with a shared passion and commitment to improving healthcare experiences for young people, particularly during key transition periods in their lives. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us.