What to Expect at UKIO 2026 | The Inside Scoop

Posted in Events & Thoughts Leadership

The UK Imaging & Oncology Congress is happening from June 8th to 10th in Liverpool. An event of three days with people doing the real work of change, not talking about what change might look like.

The conference theme is “Putting humanity at the center of healthcare in the age of the machine.” This means discussions will surround how to practically use AI in imaging and changes in workflows when staff need training on new systems or how to use technology in a way that actually helps instead of creating new problems. Teams will share what worked, what didn’t, and what they would do differently if given the chance again.

Agendas at Hand

Synthetic CT for Radiotherapy Planning

Sessions begin with practical implementation rather than theory. Moving from standard CT workflows to MR-only pathways is not just a technology upgrade. It changes daily workflows, staff responsibilities, and training requirements. Christopher Moore and Jonathon Delve will chair the session, while David Bird shares his team’s real experience from Leeds Teaching Hospital. 

The Reality of AI in Imaging 

One of the most interesting discussions is titled “The AI in imaging paradox, expensive failure or necessary prerequisite?” The panel brings together healthcare organizations, AI companies, radiologists, and researchers to discuss why some AI tools succeed while others fail after deployment. The conversation is to be focused on governance, clinical adoption, workflow impact, and what kind of return on investment healthcare organizations actually need before spending on AI solutions.

Workforce and Retention

Several sessions focus on burnout, staffing shortages, training challenges, and retention in imaging departments. Speakers will discuss why some early-career professionals stay in the field while others leave, how organizations are recruiting international radiographers, and how workplaces can better support autistic and neurodivergent staff members.

Sessions To Look Forward To

Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) 2026 Update

The updated QSI framework introduces two important focus areas: artificial intelligence and sustainability. Organizations that have not yet included these areas in their quality planning and operational strategies will get a better understanding of upcoming expectations and standards.

The Economics of AI: “If It Doesn’t Pay, It Doesn’t Stay” 

This session will focus on the financial aspects of healthcare AI adoption. NHS trusts and healthcare organizations need clear evidence before approving investments. Discussions will focus on how hospitals evaluate ROI, how AI-driven efficiency impacts costs, and what sustainable teleradiology models look like in practice.

Workforce and Retention Case Studies

Healthcare organizations will share real examples of how they improved staffing, built training frameworks, and managed workforce transitions between acute and community care settings. For organizations struggling with hiring or retention, these sessions offer practical ideas instead of general advice.

Patient Involvement in Service Design

UKIO is giving serious attention to patient involvement in healthcare services. These sessions focus on how patient feedback directly changes service delivery, imaging experiences, and care pathways. Topics include support for transgender and non-binary patients, imaging considerations during pregnancy, and improving patient experiences in complex diagnostic journeys.

Vendor Sessions In Pipeline 

These sessions are to focus on practical implementation from a larger perspective.

Siemens Healthineers

Siemens is bringing NHS teams to explain how imaging technologies were used to solve specific operational problems. One team in Manchester expanded lung biopsy capacity using advanced imaging tools, while NHS Fife used deep learning MRI technology to reduce recall rates while maintaining image quality. The sessions are to center more on clinical decision-making and implementation lessons than product promotion.

Everlight Radiology on Teleradiology

Everlight’s panel discusses how teleradiology has evolved beyond offshore image reading. Topics include AI-assisted reporting, flexible work models, reducing burnout, and shifting focus from reporting volume to patient outcomes.

AXREM on Moving AI from Pilot to Practice

Many AI pilots perform well in controlled environments but struggle when expanded into larger healthcare systems. This session focuses on the real challenges healthcare organizations face during scale-up, including workflow integration, governance, procurement, and staff adoption.

Is This Event Meant For You? 

A closer look at who can benefit most from attending UKIO 2026:

Clinical Leaders and Innovation Teams

Healthcare leaders can connect with peers solving similar operational, staffing, and technology challenges. Sessions cover clinical implementation, workforce development, service redesign, and healthcare technology adoption.

Radiographers, Physicists, and Sonographers

Attendees get access to hands-on workshops, technical training sessions, live demonstrations, case reviews, and opportunities to explore research and doctoral training pathways.

Early-Career Professionals and Students

Career panels explore different pathways within imaging and oncology. This includes education, specialist practice, and healthcare technology. Mentorship and research opportunities are also available for professionals looking to grow in the field.

Researchers and Healthcare Organizations

Researchers can pitch projects for funding and connect with collaborators. Organizations evaluating imaging or AI technologies can speak directly with healthcare teams already using those solutions in real environments, not just vendors at exhibition booths.

The Shift From Innovation to Real Deployment

The struggle of healthcare organizations is no longer to find a new technology but to implement it successfully across real clinical environments. Many AI and imaging tools perform well during pilot programs with controlled settings and dedicated teams. The real test begins when hospitals try to scale those systems across multiple departments, older infrastructure, staffing limitations, and day-to-day clinical pressures.

That is where many of the conversations at UKIO 2026 become valuable. Sessions focus less on product promises and more on what happens after deployment begins. Healthcare teams are openly discussing adoption challenges, governance, workflow integration, staff training, and the operational realities of making new technology work inside busy imaging and oncology departments.

Folio3 Digital Health will be attending UKIO 2026 with PACScribe, our AI-powered cloud PACS imaging platform with built-in Epic integration! 

As healthcare teams discuss challenges around reporting delays, AI adoption, and disconnected systems, we’re bringing a platform built to help solve those problems in practical clinical settings. Connect with us to learn more about our product.

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