My Experience Chairing the 13th NIVAS Conference 2025, a Barrier-Breaking Success in Bristol; Blog by Maya Guerrero

Since being elected to the National Infusion and Vascular Access Society (NIVAS) board in 2019, Maya Aquino-Guerrero, our Clinical Specialist, within the Medical and Surgical Consumables team, has been a huge part of the annual NIVAS conference.

Held in Bristol earlier this month. NIVAS was set up to promote best practices in IV therapy and vascular access across healthcare settings.

Maya works collaboratively with seven other board members from various NHS trusts – Frimley Health NHS FT, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT, East Kent Hospitals NHS University FT, Mid and South Essex NHS FT, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – to create an environment where new ideas are encouraged and conventional thinking is challenged, to advance best practice in vascular access and IV therapy.

Her involvement with NIVAS offers valuable insights into national clinical practices and evolving standards, which directly enhance our approach to procurement and clinical engagement. Her supporting role plays a massive part in her work here at NHS Supply Chain; including driving Value Based Procurement (VBP) initiatives, or shaping national guidelines – which in turn strengthens our national specifications and informing supplier engagement strategies, to name just a few. This year Maya was joined by Clinical Specialists, Jo Birtwhistle and Alison White, who also shared their experiences.

Maya with the other board members at the National Infusion and Vascular Access Society (NIVAS) event.

The 13th NIVAS Conference 2025 was a resounding success, hosted this year in the vibrant city of Bristol. Over two days, the conference, with the theme, “Overcoming Barriers: Navigating the journey towards safe vascular access and IV Therapy”, brought together healthcare professionals, not just in the field of vascular access and IV therapy but also various other fields such as education, pharmacy and radiology from across the UK and our neighbours in Europe, to share, challenge, and inspire new ways of thinking around vascular access and IV therapy.

A general sense of commitment to improving patient outcomes while advancing system-wide sustainability, from interactive workshops and thought-provoking debates to inspirational keynotes and peer-led abstract sessions, the conference highlighted not only the depth of knowledge within our community, but its generosity in sharing it.

On reflections as the Clinical Chair of day two, I had the distinct privilege of guiding delegates through a day filled with connection, curiosity, and challenge. It was more than a symposium. For me it was a movement, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice, collaboration and innovation – delegates enjoyed interactive workshops, cutting-edge sessions, and passionate debates that left us all energised and ready to push boundaries.

I had the honour of supporting a programme that reflected both clinical ambition and procurement relevance. From emerging device technologies to policy-driven standardisation, conversations throughout the event highlighted how overcoming clinical barriers is often inseparable from rethinking how we select, support, and implement medical products across care pathways.

Some of the standout insights from the conference included:

• The role of Value Based Procurement (VBP) in reducing complication rates through smarter investment in evidence-led solutions.
• Opportunities for clinical-led specification of infusion systems and vascular access devices in line with new national guidelines for 2025.
• The importance of cross-sector collaboration to tackle system barriers – from digital inequality to inconsistent training and product misuse.
• Growing interest in sustainable procurement strategies, including environmentally responsible packaging and device lifecycle management.
• A strong call to link clinical outcomes with commercial choices, reinforcing that better care doesn’t always mean higher cost – it means better value.

The refreshingly honest and practical sessions such as “Lines vs Ports,” “Infusion Pump Safety,” and “Beyond OPAT” tackled real-world challenges with clinical clarity and procurement awareness, while the abstract presentations revealed grassroots innovation primed for strategic investment and wider adoption.

Some final thoughts:

Overcoming barriers is not just about navigating individual complexity – it’s about designing systems and supply models that make safer care achievable, consistent, and scalable.

NIVAS 2025 showed us what is possible when clinicians and procurement leaders work in alignment -delivering not only patient safety, but sustainable value across the NHS.

I look forward to championing this journey within NHS Supply Chain as we continue to support improved care, smarter purchasing, and measurable impact.

Attending the 13th Annual NIVAS Conference in Bristol was both an honour and a truly inspiring experience. Witnessing the growth of the society, its expanding membership, deeper collaboration with industry, and its rising influence in shaping national standards was incredibly uplifting. The sessions were packed with insight and innovation, and the opportunity to connect directly with suppliers and product experts proved invaluable. One standout moment for me was listening to Dr James Bennett share astonishing real-life scenarios and problem-solving in his session ‘Help I’m Stuck!’. I was genuinely in awe. A huge thank you to Maya and the entire NIVAS board for putting on such a powerful and memorable event.

Alison White, Clinical Specialist, NHS Supply Chain

As a registered midwife and Clinical Engagement and Implementation Manager for IV Therapy and Devices at NHS Supply Chain, attending the 13th NIVAS Conference was an invaluable opportunity to broaden my knowledge beyond maternity care. The conference showcased cutting-edge innovation in vascular access – from ultrasound-guided cannulation to less invasive techniques for central line placement in neonates. It was incredibly rewarding to connect with suppliers, explore emerging technologies on our framework, and deepen my clinical insight to help shape better outcomes for the NHS.

Joanne Birtwhistle, Clinical Specialist, NHS Supply Chain