The Inaugural National Sleep Pharmacy Network Symposium 2026

2nd – 3rd October 2026
Clayton Hotel Birmingham, Albert Street, Birmingham, B5 5JE

Day 1 — NSPN members only

An exclusive working day for up to 20 NSPN members, focused on mapping services, sharing best practice, and shaping the future direction of the network. This is a collaborative workshop day, not a lecture programme.

12:00 – 13:00
Networking
Registration & Lunch
Informal networking and poster viewing.
13:00 – 13:15
Welcome & Introductions
Network Chair
Overview of network goals, agenda, and opportunities for collaboration.
13:15 – 14:00
Workshop
Mapping out sleep service offerings across the UK
Network chair and members
Locating sleep services, identifying key individuals involved, and understanding pharmacist roles in sleep across the UK.
14:00 – 15:00
Workshop
Current guidelines, best practice documents and pathways used in services
Pharmacist facilitators & network members
Members are invited to bring guidelines, pathways, formulary documents, and APC applications to understand regional processes and variation across the UK.
15:00 – 15:30
Break
Coffee and networking
Informal discussion and connecting with colleagues.
15:30 – 16:30
Workshop
Strategies to tackle inequality, pharmacy education, and the future of NSPN
Network members
Key actions to progress the network. Establishing new roles to elevate NSPN's impact nationally.
16:30 – 17:45
Case studies
Case studies & best practice sharing
Network members
Members present brief clinical cases or interventions, followed by discussion on practical challenges and shared learning.
17:45 – 18:15
Close
Wrap-up & networking
Chair
Summary of key takeaways, announcement of next meeting, informal networking.

Day 2 — Open to all pharmacy professionals

A full educational day open to NSPN members and non-members, with up to 50 places available. Expert-led sessions covering sleep neuroscience, insomnia management, hypersomnia, restless legs, and the future of sleep pharmacy.

09:00
Networking
Registration and coffee
Poster setup and networking.
09:30
Welcome and introduction
Chairs: Dr Rania Ward & Dr Adam Rathbone
Overview of aims, sponsors, and structure of the day.
09:45
Workshop
Sleep service provision: inequalities and barriers
Dr Adam Rathbone and network members
Wider discussion of key themes identified from Day 1, exploring barriers to equitable sleep pharmacy provision across the UK.
10:30
Keynote
The neuroscience and functions of sleep
Dr Rania Ward
Mechanisms of sleep-wake regulation and the neurobiology of sleep.
11:15
Break
Coffee break
11:45
Insomnia and its primary management
Louise Berger (RSCH)
The patient's perspective and behavioural management of insomnia.
12:30
Insomnia and its complexities
Dr Rania Ward (QVH)
Co-morbidities, medicines management, and deprescribing in complex insomnia presentations.
13:15
Lunch
Lunch and networking
Poster viewing and sponsor booth.
14:15
Hypersomnia: diagnosis and management
Dr Kirsty Anderson — Newcastle
Hypersomnolence versus central hypersomnias: understanding the clinical distinctions and management approaches.
15:00
Restless legs and limb movement disorders in sleep
Mr Jas Kaler (GSTT)
Diagnostic and management insights for restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder.
15:45
Break
Coffee break
16:15
Keynote
The long-term plan: how sleep pharmacy services can contribute to the health of the nation
Speaker from the Department of Health and Social Care (TBC)
Audience Q&A, innovation, and collaboration opportunities for pharmacy professionals in national sleep health strategy.
17:00
Close
Closing session: Building the National Sleep Pharmacy Network
Dr Rania Ward & Dr Adam Rathbone
Summary of the day, certificates of attendance, and next steps for the network.

Interested in attending?

Places are limited. Register your interest now and we will be in touch with further details.

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