BLOG: Highlights from the 2026 NADEGS Annual Academic Primary Care Conference

By Susanne Maxwell | Clinical Research Fellow

On 22–23 January 2026, The University of Edinburgh hosted the NADEGS Annual Academic Primary Care Conference, welcoming colleagues from academic primary care departments across Scotland for two full days of research, reflection, and exchange in medical education and primary care.

This annual meeting aims to foster a healthy and connected Scottish academic primary care community. At a time of sustained funding pressures across the sector, the meeting felt particularly timely – providing a much-needed space to share ideas, strengthen collaborations, and reaffirm the central role of primary care as the backbone of the NHS in Scotland.

A recurring and unifying theme throughout the programme was the challenge of addressing the inverse care law in Scotland. Delegates commented that there was “a real buzz this year”, reflecting both the urgency of the issues discussed and the sense of collective purpose in the room. 

The conference opened with an inspiring keynote from Dr Becks Fisher, Director of Research and Policy at the Nuffield Trust, who explored the inverse care law, funding structures in primary care, the decline of the partnership model, and the emerging role of AI – leaving the audience engaged, challenged, and energised. Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of the Scottish Drugs Forum, followed with a stark and compelling account of Scotland’s drug crisis, before Dr David McCartney illustrated how lived experience can be translated into evidence-based change, offering a powerful and practical perspective on implementation.

A particular highlight was the contribution from our own Professor Cathie Sudlow, who spoke on the importance of accessible primary care data. Drawing on her deep expertise, she emphasised the need for robust ethical governance and public trust, underscoring how high-quality data can support meaningful improvements in care while maintaining public confidence. The conference closed with reflections from Professor Sir Gregor Smith, who reaffirmed the value and resilience of primary care, leaving delegates feeling “inspired” and “uplifted”.

Across both days, structured sessions and informal conversations alike created space for cross-institutional dialogue and collaboration. Just one example: I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with Dr Rosalind Adams, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, on improving cancer aftercare alongside chronic disease management, a topic which closely aligns with my own PhD entitled COMPASS (Cancer Outcomes in Multimorbidity: Pathways and Systems Study)  These exchanges exemplified the spirit of the meeting: a collaborative, supportive forum focused on tackling the most pressing challenges facing primary care in Scotland – together.