New summit to tackle the UK’s women’s health gap
Despite living longer than men, women spend significantly more of their lives in poor health. Delayed diagnoses, unequal treatment pathways, underinvestment in research and persistent gender bias continue to leave millions of women underserved by healthcare systems.
Now, a new national summit aims to change that.
The Women's Health Technology Summit 2026, taking place at the University of Manchester on Thursday 1 October, will bring together leaders from healthcare, technology, research, investment and policy to examine how innovation, digital health and artificial intelligence can help transform health outcomes for women and girls.
Co-hosted by Diversity UK and the Greater Manchester Connected Health Ecosystem, coordinated by the University of Manchester's Digital Futures, the Christabel Pankhurst Institute and Health Innovation Manchester, the Summit is inspired by the renewed Women's Health Strategy for England (2026) and will focus on practical action to accelerate progress towards a fairer, more inclusive and innovation-driven healthcare system.
Discussions will centre on three themes: Tackling Medical Misogyny, Investing in Women's Health Innovations and Feminist AI, bringing together experts from across healthcare, academia, technology, industry and investment to explore solutions to one of the UK's most significant health inequalities.
The Summit will also feature health technology showcases, creating opportunities for researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators to demonstrate new solutions designed to improve women's health while fostering collaboration between the NHS, universities, investors and industry.
Lopa Patel MBE, Chair of Diversity UK, said:
"Women's health is one of the defining health, economic and social challenges of our time, yet it continues to receive disproportionately low levels of attention and investment. Closing the women's health gap requires collaboration across healthcare, research, technology, investment and public policy. By bringing together leaders from these sectors, the Women's Health Technology Summit aims to accelerate innovation, challenge systemic inequalities and help build a healthcare system that delivers better outcomes for every woman and girl."
The Summit showcases the University of Manchester's leadership in health innovation through Digital Futures, which brings together researchers, industry and the NHS to develop equitable digital technologies, and the Christabel Pankhurst Institute, which accelerates the translation of pioneering health technology research into practical solutions through collaboration with the NHS, business and local government.
Diversity UK, a national equality charity, has a long-standing track record of convening influential conversations around diversity, technology, investment and inclusive innovation, bringing together leaders from business, academia, government and civil society to address complex social challenges.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Click here to register https://bit.ly/3TrULxt
About Digital Futures
Digital Futures is the University of Manchester's interdisciplinary research platform for digital innovation, bringing together researchers, industry, the public sector and communities to address major societal challenges through digital technologies. Its Health theme supports the development of innovative, equitable technologies that improve health outcomes.
About the Christabel Pankhurst Institute
The Christabel Pankhurst Institute is the University of Manchester's flagship health technology research and innovation institute. Working in partnership with the NHS, industry and local government, it accelerates the translation of pioneering research into technologies and services that improve patient care and strengthen the UK's health innovation ecosystem.
About the University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities, recognised globally for excellence in research, innovation and social impact. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships across the health, technology and business sectors, the University is helping to shape the future of healthcare and improve lives locally, nationally and internationally.
About Diversity UK
Diversity UK is a registered charity (No. 1155189) founded in 2012 to educate the public about equality, diversity and inclusion. Through research, public policy engagement, conferences and strategic partnerships, the charity works to improve representation and reduce inequality across business, technology, healthcare and public life.
Its programmes include the ‘Beyond the Glass Ceiling’ Report on Public Appointments, Asians in Tech, the Paul Stephenson Lecture, Diversity Tech Summits, Investing in Women Founders events and the Changemakers Series, among other initiatives and collaborations.
