Twenty years a-growing – Ireland’s most important health summit goes from strength to strength

Healthcare is finally undergoing a revolution in terms of technology and digitalisation, and what better place to discuss this than at the Future Health Summit?

Ireland’s seminal health meeting, now in its 20th year, will take place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th.

The success of the event can at least partly be measured by its consistent growth and this year it will welcome almost 700 delegates, an attendance up 14 per cent from the 600 representatives at the 2023 event.

But its popularity among all stakeholders in health – from medics to managers, innovators and industry insiders – is largely due to it being a unique forum for networking and making fruitful connections, explains David Neville, CEO of the summit.

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Although it previously had a national focus, the summit has opened up to an international audience in recent years, with many speakers invited from health systems and organisations in other jurisdictions.

This year the global aspect of the meeting is even more pronounced with speakers from the UK and several European countries but also representatives from Thailand, Malaysia and other Asian countries as well as Brazil.

“The summit brings international best practice to Ireland,” Neville says. “It is key to have a mix in each session, so that Irish speakers are presenting alongside international speakers, to ensure we get different perspectives. The ultimate goal is to learn from each other and improve healthcare for Irish patients.”

He notes that many of the pertinent issues facing the Irish health service are also common in countries across the world.

“The big issues facing healthcare globally are exactly what we are exploring in an Irish context, things such as governance and integrated care. Ireland is about to set up new health regions, which will bring acute care, community care and social care under the same umbrella. In the UK they have had that structure for years so it will be interesting to learn from them about how that works in practice.”

Presenting on this will be Sir James Mackey, chief executive of the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The concepts of digitally-enabled change and the hospital of the future will also be explored. Dr Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO of Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, will be one of the speakers presenting on the latter.

“The budget at his disposal would be many multiples of an Irish budget, so it will be very interesting to hear what is possible over there, and if it’s merely aspirational for us” Neville says.

Meanwhile, organisations such as Medtronic and Xerox will present their groundbreaking digital solutions.

“It’s not just about what is possible now but the technologies that are in the pipeline, such as advanced AI and robotics, and how they could impact patient care for the better.”

The ultimate goal is to learn from each other and improve healthcare for Irish patients

Recruitment and retention is an ongoing challenge within health, not just in Ireland but elsewhere too. Neville says hearing other perspectives on this problem may help bring about solutions.

“As you know many of our doctors and nurses want to go to Australia, but the reality is that those countries are experiencing the same problems as us. This session will explore the tools, educational platforms and retention strategies being used around the world.”

The conference’s annual innovation award, sponsored by global hospital operator UPMC, is a great source of pride for the event organisers. Previous winners have become national and international success stories, and Neville notes that entries for 2024 are coming in thick and fast.

“As well as having large multinationals and healthcare providers, we also try to attract and support the early stage start-up companies. We have had some incredible companies win that award, such as Let’s Get Checked and ExWell Medical. The winner last year was Akara Robotics, and we will be interviewing their team on stage before announcing this year’s honours.”

The outstanding contribution to healthcare award is another highlight of the summit. Now in its third year, it is granted to someone who has excelled in their field within the health service, either domestically or internationally. The 2023 award recipient was the HSE’s Gerry O’Dwyer, former CEO of the South West Hospital group who had over 40 years of service in health. This year’s winner will be equally accomplished, Neville says.

Several speakers will be representing the HSE, including its chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry, and Neville says the strong HSE presence at the event is an endorsement of the summit’s prestige.

“The HSE will launch its eHealth strategy for the next seven years at the summit, which shows how important they think the event is.”

Robert Watt, secretary general at the Department of Health, will also offer an eagerly-awaited update on Sláintecare during the first day of the conference.

As well as the expertise on stage, the summit is known for its large, exhibit space at which more than 50 leading suppliers to the healthcare sector will display their products and services, with demonstrations and expert advice available. Neville says meeting people face-to-face helps decision-makers decide what to prioritise and introduce.

“It also lets them know what’s in the pipeline and what’s coming down the tracks.”

Future Health Summit 2024 takes place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Golden Lane Dublin 8 on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th. To book seats and view the full list of speakers and exhibitors visit futurehealthsummit.com