SLaintecare aims to tackle prevention, integration of care and efficiency. Workforce shortages, financial pressures and the challenge of digital reforms will test its viability. How can health leaders transform the service while prioritising patient care? What must change to make the plan’s vision a reality?
2026 Agenda
7:45am
Registration and light breakfast
8:40am
Welcome from the Chair
Journalist and Broadcaster, host of Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
9:05am
KEYNOTE PANEL:
SLÁINTECARE mid-term review: Is the Government still committed to delivering Ireland’s ten-year transformation plan?
Senior Research Officer, Social Research Division, ESRI
President, Irish Medical Organisation
Secretary General of the Department of Health
Healthcare in the (geo)political spotlight
9:55am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
A new era for geopolitics: A policy analysis of challenges and opportunities for European health policymakers
10:10am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Combating misinformation in public health
Head of School of Medicine & Ellen Mayston Bates Chair of Epileptology, Trinity College Dublin & Consultant Neurologist, St James's Academic Medical Center
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology Member, Centre for Social Issues Research, University of Limerick
10:40am
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Pharma investment & Research: The value of research: clinical trials as a lever for health and prosperity
Clinical trials are more than a path to new treatments—they are a much sought after asset for national health systems and potential catalysts for economic growth. This session will explore the societal benefits of clinical trials, improving care for patients, advancing medical innovation, and creating high-skilled jobs and economic value. As health challenges grow more complex, building a thriving research ecosystem is essential not only for better health outcomes, but also for sustainable, innovation-driven economies. This session will explore how Ireland can attract international clinical trials.
11:00am
Morning break
STREAM 1:
Policy Recommendations for our Ageing Population
11:30am
Welcome from the Chair
11:35am
Taking action on ageing
According to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Ireland is experiencing a rapid and unprecedented population aging trend, with the population aged 65 and over projected to double by 2051. Cathal discusses TILDA’s latest findings that highlight that while lifestyle and environment play a large role in aging, there are significant opportunities to improve healthcare strategies and create age-friendly environments through research and policy
Professor in Life Course Development and Ageing, Department of Medical Gerontology, TCD and Co-Principal Investigator, Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
11:50am
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Implementing an effective national stroke prevention programme for older adults
12:10pm
SPOTLIGHT ON
Loneliness: Reframing loneliness as a public health issue
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University
12:25pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Policy recommendations for our ageing population
- Healthy ageing and wellbeing
- Long-term care and support
- Supportive environments
Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland, Meath County Council
Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) - Older Adult Care with a specialist focus on Dementia, Delirium & NCSD, Féileacán Bán, Cherry Orchard Hospital & Community Healthcare Area of Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow
Professor in Physiotherapy, University of Limerick
Chief Executive, Nursing Homes Ireland
STREAM 2:
Moving Care Closer to Home
11:30am
Welcome from the Chair
11:35am
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Youth mental health in the digital age
The mental health of young people is deteriorating thanks to social media and digital overexposure. As addiction and anxiety rise, pressure is mounting for action.
- What are the root causes and the scale of the youth mental health crisis?
- Are we finally moving beyond awareness to meaningful action, and what measures are on the table?
- How can responsibility be shared among parents, educators, tech platforms, and policymakers to better protect teens?
Secondary Teacher, Temple Carrig School
Chair of the Online Health Taskforce for the Department of Health
11:55am
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Dying too young: The full story of men’s health in Ireland
Two in five won’t reach their full life expectancy – not because of fate, but because of preventable causes like suicide, heart disease and cancer. Ireland was the first country in the world to launch a national men’s health policy in 2009 so how can we continue to lead with evidence, lived experience and a roadmap for action
Director, National Centre for Men's Health, South East Technological University(SETU)
12:15pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Levers for delivering a system shift towards Prevention
- Do we value Prevention?
- What would it mean to reset what we value and make the shift to prevention a reality?
- Business and health:When it comes to the creation of a healthier society, strong business involvement is key, with businesses recognising the impact of poor health on growth, productivity, the workforce. How can businesses work in collaboration with partners across health and care to join up health and growth?
CEO, Institute of Public Health in Ireland, President, EuroHealthNet
STREAM 3
Meeting Tomorrow’s Needs and Delivering Excellent Patient Outcomes
11:30am
Welcome from the Chair
11:35am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Developing resilient, sustainable and excellent health systems: Building a fair and sustainable approach to funding healthcare
Healthcare leaders are being challenged by tightening budgets, ageing populations, workforce shortages, climate-change emergencies, decarbonisation efforts and the spread of infectious diseases. What measures are they taking to overcome these problems and maximise any opportunities they spot as they strive to deliver excellent patient outcomes?
Chief Economist, Dept of Finance
Full Professor of Markets, Organisations and Society, College of Business, UCD
12:10pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Hospitals of the future: Investing in transformation to meet tomorrow’s needs
Hospitals are an essential pillar of a resilient healthcare system. What do we want from the hospitals of the future? What can and should they evolve into?
Chief Executive Officer, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
1:05pm
Lunch
2:05pm
Welcome back from the Chair
Journalist and Broadcaster, host of Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
2:10pm
FIRESIDE CHAT:
The Covid-19 Evaluation: Learning from Ireland’s experience and management of the pandemic
Professor Emerita, University of Galway
Delivering a Digital-First Approach - the benefits, progress and challenges of digital transformation
2:25pm
The ABC of EHRs… a guide to electronic healthcare systems
A quick explainer session on digital health systems essentials (and lingo!)
2:40pm
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Creating a connected healthcare ecosystem for Ireland
Raeid discusses Ireland’s national EHR programme. We also look into the future to see what is possible – since its inception in 2018, OneLondon, a single patient care record for 10 million people across London, has evolved connecting more healthcare providers, expanding patient access, and tackling critical challenges like end-of-life care and mental health.
National EHR Director, HSE
Regional Director of Digital Transformation, NHS London
3:05pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
AI-Powered Healthcare: Ethics, Risk and Responsibility
- Technology, trust and the road ahead – how innovation and trust are reshaping healthcare systems
- The ethical and operational challenges of integrating AI into clinical decision-making
- What new capabilities is AI enabling for diagnosis, workforce efficiency, and personalised medicines discovery?
- How will the European Health Data Space benefit or be challenged by the rise of AI?
- What does the AI Act mean for the medical devices sector, and what new compliance hurdles lie ahead?
- Are healthcare workers ready to move forward with new technologies and AI? What are the best ways to train the workforce and overcome resistance to change?
Deputy Director for Health Information Standard, HIQA
3:40pm