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 is the vision for private health in future healthcare delivery? 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
8:50am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Preparing for digital transformation: Lessons from international experiences
EHR Lead & Partner, EY 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
Group CEO, VHI
President, Irish Medical Organisation
Secretary General of the Department of Health
9:40am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
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. Our panel discusses Ireland’s blueprint for transforming the clinical trial landscape and promoting Ireland as clinical trials destination. We’ll explore the societal benefits of clinical trials, improving care for patients, advancing medical innovation, and creating high-skilled jobs and economic value.
Chair, Patient Consultants Committee, Cancer Trials Ireland
Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, UCD), Gynaecological Oncologist, Mater Hospital, Chair, National Clinical Trials Oversight Group
10:10am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Combating misinformation in public health
Assistant Professor in Biostatistics, Institute of Population Health, Trinity College Dublin, Broadcaster & Author
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology Member, Centre for Social Issues Research, University of Limerick
Vaccines Business Lead, MSD Ireland
10:40am
FIRESIDE CHAT:
The Covid-19 Evaluation: Learning from Ireland’s experience and management of the pandemic
Professor Emerita, University of Galway
11:00am
Morning break
STREAM 1:
Meeting Tomorrow’s Needs and Delivering Excellent Patient Outcomes
11:30am
Welcome from the Chair
Journalist and Broadcaster, host of Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
11:35am
FIRESIDE CHAT
People to Partners: Shifting from passive recipients to active partnership in health and social care
There is a growing recognition of the need to more effectively involve the public in policy development, public sector reform and in delivering effective and safe services. Meadhbha discusses PCC’s vision for a health and care service that is actively shaped by the needs and experience of the public.
CEO, Patient and Client Council (PCC), Northern Ireland
11:50am
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?
Lecturer, Strategic Procurement and Supply Management at Dublin City Universit
President, Irish Hospital Consultants Association IHCA
Chief Executive Officer, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
12:25pm
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?
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
Chief Economist, Dept of Finance
Full Professor of Markets, Organisations and Society, College of Business, UCD
STREAM 2:
Prioritising investment in Proactive Healthcare
11:30am
Welcome from the Chair
CEO, Future Focus
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
- Changing how people think and operate – for healthcare professionals and citizens
- Overcoming the implementation gap
- Creating partnerships that work across the HSE, local government, education, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and private sector
- Despite decades of consensus what it will take to finally deliver prevention at scale?
Director of Health Promotion, Information & Training, Irish Heart Foundation
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Clinical Director, CervicalCheck
CEO, Institute of Public Health in Ireland, President, EuroHealthNet
STREAM 3:
Policy recommendations for our Ageing Population
Sponsored by
11:30am
Welcome from the Chair
GP, Churchtown Medical, media commentator & columnist
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:
Care delivery in a regulated system: How technology enables better outcomes
CEO, One Touch Health
CEO, Irish HomeCare
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
- The role of prevention in healthy ageing
- Long-term care and support
- Transforming care for older people
Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland, Meath County Council
Consultant Physician, Geriatric and Stroke Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor of Medical Gerontology, TCD
Professor in Physiotherapy, University of Limerick
Chief Executive, Nursing Homes Ireland
1:05pm
Lunch
2:05pm
Welcome back from the Chair
Journalist and Broadcaster, host of Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
Delivering a Digital-First Approach - the benefits, progress and challenges of digital transformation
2:10pm
CASE STUDY
Advancing connected, patient-centred care through digital transformation
Wendy and Selina discuss how St. James’s Hospital is advancing advance their digital transformation. Learn how integrated EHR solutions are driving enhanced clinical decision-making, improving operational efficiency, and fostering a data-driven culture of continuous improvement.
Nurse Lead in Informatics, St. James Hospital
Senior Director for Business Development, Oracle Health,
2:25pm
FIRESIDE CHAT
Bons Secours Limerick – a hospital of the future
Opened last Autumn, Bons Secours Limerick is truly a hospital of the future. Jason discusses how the hospital brings together the latest technology and compassionate care for patients across the Mid- West.
CEO, Bons Secours Hospital Limerick
2:40pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
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
3:15pm
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?
Principal Consultant, Santegic
Partner and Health Sector Lead, EY Ireland
Deputy Director for Health Information Standard, HIQA
3:50pm