Aerial Function Centre, Ultimo

Hospital access block is one of the most vexed problems facing health services across the globe. The issue has become highly politicised, with images of queued ambulances on the nightly news. Too often, potential solutions have been overly-focused on the front door of the system – emergency departments and acute hospitals – and have failed to address the complex system drivers of patient flow.

We have convened a range of experts who will contribute research, policy and management experience to a one day conference about patient flow. We will strive to move beyond the politics, to hear about what works, and what doesn’t work, locally and internationally. We hope to build a coalition of health executives, clinical leaders and researchers who will work together to improve patient experiences from the emergency department, through the hospital, and into community-based care.

Topics to be covered include:

• History and drivers of hospital access block
• The impact of time-based targets
• Clinical redesign to improve patient journeys
• Care transitions for marginalised patient groups
• Health economics of patient flow
• Using data and research to improve flow

he 2026 Patient Flow Conference is a high-impact, solutions-focused event dedicated to addressing hospital access block and improving patient flow across the entire healthcare system. Recognised as one of the most persistent and complex challenges in global health systems, access block continues to drive emergency department overcrowding, ambulance ramping, delayed admissions, and suboptimal patient outcomes. This conference brings together a diverse and influential audience of healthcare leaders—including clinicians, hospital executives, policymakers, and researchers—to explore practical, evidence-based strategies that move beyond political debate and deliver meaningful system improvement.

Whole-of-System Approach

Rather than concentrating solely on emergency department pressures, this conference takes a whole-of-system approach—examining the upstream and downstream factors that contribute to overcrowding, delayed care, and poor patient outcomes. Taking a whole-of-system perspective, the conference examines the interconnected drivers of patient flow, from pre-hospital care and emergency department demand to inpatient capacity, discharge processes, and community-based care. Attendees will engage with expert-led sessions covering the history and underlying causes of access block, the real-world impact of time-based targets, and innovative models of care designed to improve patient journeys and reduce hospital bottlenecks. The program also highlights critical topics such as clinical redesign, demand management, care transitions for marginalised and vulnerable populations, and the growing role of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and health economics in optimising healthcare performance.

Translating Research into Practice

A key differentiator of the conference is its emphasis on translating research into practice. Through case studies, panel discussions, and multidisciplinary perspectives, participants will gain actionable insights into what works—and what does not—across different healthcare settings, including lessons from international systems such as the United Kingdom. The event also showcases emerging innovations, including virtual care models, allied health integration, and system-level interventions that improve discharge efficiency and reduce length of stay.

Why Attend the 2026 Patient Flow Conference

The conference’s unique value lies in its emphasis on practical, evidence-informed solutions and cross-sector collaboration. Beyond knowledge sharing, the conference aims to foster collaboration and build a network of engaged stakeholders committed to improving patient flow. By fostering dialogue between decision-makers with frontline clinicians and researchers, it creates a platform for shared problem-solving and coordinated action. Ultimately, the 2026 Patient Flow Conference provides a unique opportunity to catalyse meaningful scalable change, sustainable solutions that enhance patient experience, improve hospital efficiency, and strengthen health system resilience in Australia and beyond.