Preventing harm: turning insight into impact | Research conference 18 November 2025

The 2025 Research Conference brought together researchers, policy professionals, regulators, and leaders from across health and social care to explore how regulation can be improved to enhance patient safety, public protection and confidence, and how that can be achieved through research. The event focused on practical insights, the realities of frontline work, and opportunities to improve regulatory systems for the benefit of both professionals and the public.

Key Themes and Insights

1. The Human Impact of Regulation and Complaints

The wellbeing of healthcare professionals was a central concern, with discussions highlighting the emotional toll of regulatory processes, complaints, and workplace aggression. Persistent issues such as incivility, harassment, and violence were shown to have ripple effects on patient safety and organisational culture. 

Attendees heard that regulatory processes can be traumatic for all involved, often compounding distress for complainants, witnesses, and registrants. There was broad agreement that trauma-informed, empathetic approaches are essential, and that support for staff must be embedded in regulatory practice. 

2. Learning from Complaints and Promoting a Positive Culture

During the conference, the need to move beyond blame and punitive approaches was emphasised. There were calls to step towards learning, remediation, and support. Insight-based regulation, early engagement, and proportionate responses were highlighted as ways to resolve concerns more effectively and reduce unnecessary escalation.

Barriers to raising complaints including fear, lack of confidence, and concerns about inaction, were discussed. The importance of clear signposting, supportive advocacy, and accessible, trauma-informed processes was repeatedly stressed.

3. Equity, Inclusion, and the Role of Data

Equity, diversity, and inclusion were recurring themes, with recognition that regulatory processes can disproportionately affect professionals from minority backgrounds. Tailored remediation and culturally sensitive approaches are needed to ensure fairness.

The role of data and technology in identifying risks and improving care was explored, with calls for better data collection, sharing, and analysis to inform risk-based regulation and support decision-making. 

4. Collaboration and Co-Production

Effective regulation was seen as requiring collaboration across regulatory bodies, employers, and those with lived experience. Co-production with patients and professionals was highlighted as a way to build trust, improve outcomes, and ensure that regulation is responsive to real-world needs.

The value of shared decision-making tools, participatory research, and feedback loops was emphasised, alongside the need for transparency and public confidence in regulatory systems. 

5. Addressing Sexual Misconduct and Boundary Violations

Several sessions focused on sexual misconduct in healthcare, exploring the barriers to reporting, the impact on victims, and the need for clear boundaries and robust preventative measures. The importance of supportive workplace cultures, effective HR processes, and leadership accountability was underlined. 

Recent regulatory developments, including updated guidance and increased panel training, were discussed, as well as the need for ongoing research and collaboration to address these issues. 

6. Global and Systemic Perspectives

The conference also examined international regulatory models, the challenges of regulating new and emerging areas (such as e-pharmacies), and the importance of adapting approaches to local contexts. The need for enforceable, risk-based regulation and creative solutions to resource constraints was highlighted.

Looking Forward

Throughout the day, participants called for a more positive, learning-focused culture around complaints and regulation; one that values evidence, celebrates good practice, and builds trust between professionals, regulators, and the public. The insights gathered will inform future strategy, with the aim of supporting safer care and fairer, more effective health and care regulation.