Follow the conference on X #Prehabilitation
Prehabilitation, or prehab, is a proactive approach to optimising a patient’s health and wellbeing before surgery, treatment or a planned procedure. It brings together multidisciplinary interventions including exercise, nutritional optimisation, psychological preparation, behaviour change and supported self-management, helping patients to prepare physically and emotionally, reduce complications, improve treatment tolerance and support recovery.
“Prehabilitation isn’t just a nice thing to do, it’s scientifically proven to help people prepare for treatment.”
Zoe Merchant and Jack Murphy, NHS England blog, February 2026
“From 2028, we will roll out a national digital-first prehabilitation offer to help all patients get healthier before they start treatment.”
National Cancer Plan for England, Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, February 2026
“Every patient will get a personalised assessment of their needs and a personal cancer plan — a complete support plan complementing their diagnosis and treatment, and focusing on their wider physical, mental health and social needs, including employment support.”
National Cancer Plan for England, Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, February 2026
“Optimising the care patients receive before, during and after surgery can increase productivity by reducing cancellations, reducing length of stay, and minimising postoperative complications. It can also increase the number of patients suitable for day case surgery by encouraging them to take part in prevention activities and take control of their health so they are ready for surgery.”
Reforming Elective Care for Patients, NHS England, January 2025
“In the new context of early screening, risk assessment and optimisation of patients, peri-operative care teams will ensure that all patients waiting for inpatient surgery have an early assessment of their fitness for surgery and are supported to optimise their health, if indicated, including through referral to specialist teams or prehabilitation and self-management support services, before they are given a date for their surgery.”
Early Screening, Triaging, Risk Assessment and Health Optimisation in Perioperative Pathways, NHS England, May 2025
This conference focuses on Prehabilitation and Health Optimisation: Principles and Practice, offering a comprehensive and practical guide to developing, delivering and sustaining effective prehabilitation services across surgical, perioperative and cancer pathways.
The programme will examine the latest national developments including NHS England’s work on early screening, risk assessment and health optimisation in perioperative pathways, the role of prehabilitation in elective recovery and surgical optimisation, the National Cancer Plan for England, the planned national digital-first prehabilitation offer from 2028, and the updated October 2025 Prehabilitation for People with Cancer clinical and implementation guidelines.
The conference will provide practical insight into how prehabilitation can be embedded earlier in the pathway, from diagnosis, referral or listing for surgery, through to treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. Sessions will focus on personalised assessment, exercise prescription, nutritional support, psychological preparation, behaviour change, shared decision-making, digital and virtual prehabilitation, supporting older people and people with frailty, and reducing inequalities in access and outcomes.
Through national updates, case studies and practical sessions, delegates will explore how prehabilitation can improve readiness for surgery and treatment, reduce avoidable cancellations and complications, support shorter length of stay, improve patient confidence and sense of control, and help people live well before, during and after treatment.
This conference will enable you to:
Network with colleagues who are working to deliver effective prehabilitation and health optimisation programmes
Reflect on the impact of prehabilitation from a patient and lived experience perspective
Understand the latest national developments, including the National Cancer Plan for England and the planned digital-first prehabilitation offer from 2028
Update your knowledge of the October 2025 Prehabilitation for People with Cancer: Clinical and Implementation Guidelines
Examine NHS England’s approach to early screening, risk assessment and health optimisation in perioperative pathways
Understand how prehabilitation and health optimisation can support elective recovery, reduce avoidable cancellations, reduce postoperative complications and improve readiness for surgery
Learn from case studies in prehabilitation for elective surgery, perioperative care and cancer treatment
Explore how to embed personalised assessment and individualised prehabilitation plans into routine practice
Improve support for patients preparing physically and emotionally for surgery, treatment or a planned procedure
Develop your skills in behaviour change, motivational interviewing and supported self-management
Understand how exercise, nutrition and psychological support can be delivered as part of a coordinated multidisciplinary model
Explore the role of digital and virtual prehabilitation in widening access and supporting people at home
Consider how prehabilitation can support older people, people with frailty and patients with complex needs
Improve nutritional screening, assessment and support before and during treatment
Strengthen emotional and psychological support for patients and carers
Consider how to reduce inequalities and improve access for underserved groups
Learn how to measure outcomes including complications, length of stay, cancellations, patient-reported outcomes, experience and quality of life
Ensure your service is aligned with the latest evidence, guidance and national policy
Self assess and reflect on your own practice
Support CPD professional development and provide evidence for revalidation. This course provides 5 hours training for CPD, subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes.
