The NorDr Ambreen Ali Sheikh and Dr Adam Seed at the Stroke Prevention Conferenceth Mersey Stroke Service, based at Aintree University Hospital, hosted its first hybrid national Stroke Prevention Conference in Liverpool, which brought together 160 professors, consultants and health organisations, all dedicated to improving stroke care.

To coincide with Stroke Prevention Day 2026, the conference, which took place both in-person at Aintree and online, while also being shown live on LinkedIn, aimed to spread awareness about the importance of prevention and the latest advances in the field to improve outcomes for stroke patients.

“This unique conference focused exclusively on all aspects of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention with an aim to build regional, national and international collaborations. Our innovative concept generated a huge interest with 160 delegates in attendance,” said Dr Ambreen Ali Sheikh, Consultant Stroke Physician, who organised the event (pictured alongside Dr Adam Seed).

She added: “We aim to return next year with two days of accredited conference, building on the lessons and networks developed through this activity.”

Abi Merriel presenting at the Stroke Prevention ConferenceThe North Mersey Stroke Service thoughtfully selected topics which covered global, regional public health and patients’ perspective. Much neglected areas in preventative medicine, such as prevention in intracerebral haemorrhage and stroke prevention in women, were discussed and generated many innovative ideas during the conference.

The award-winning stroke unit at Aintree University Hospital is already working on several improvement projects, such as system-wide intracerebral haemorrhage pathway improvements and a unique stroke prevention and lifestyle clinic led by Dr Nikhil Sharma, Consultant Stroke Physician at Aintree.

Global leaders in their respective fields delivered talks on key prevention areas. Professor Valery Feigin, Director of Aukland University of Technology’s National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience, presented his landmark study on global stroke burden that led him and his team to develop customised, digital platform for personalised stroke prevention – an area that is recommended in the NHS 10-Year plan for patient-centre care.

Prof Gregory Lip, world renowned expert in atrial fibrillation from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital delivered his preventive strategy for tackling multiple comorbidities in manging atrial fibrillation.

While regional public health leaders, Dr Julie Kelly and Zoe McIntosh, highlighted how we’re working collaboratively across the system to improve stroke prevention in the North West, and also shared a lived experience from a stroke survivors’ perspective.

An impoDr Nikhil Sharma at the Stroke prevention conferencertant highlight of the conference was the focus on gender disparity and the comprehensive review of women-specific conditions and preventative measures. Prof Catherine-Piercy Nelson, global leader in obstetric medicine from London’s Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, talked about pregnancy in stroke. Award winning obesity expert, Dr Rahila Bhatti, from Dubai’s Genesis Healthcare Centre delivered latest advances in diabetes, and Dr Abi Merriel from Liverpool Women’s Hospital shared her ongoing research on hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and CVD outcomes.

Pictured right - Dr Nikhil Sharma, Consultant Stroke Physician at Aintree and co-lead for Stroke at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, shared evidence-based targeted lifestyle practices in preventing strokes.

The organisers of the conference extend their thanks and gratitude to all who joined, and a special thank you to the stroke survivors who shared their personal journey with the audience.