Morning, Tuesday, 22nd September 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for Sláintecare reform.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to examine practical and strategic considerations for implementation of the Department of Health’s Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare & Programme for Government 2025+ and delivery of the Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan 2026, alongside implications of the Sectoral Plan for Health 2026-2030.
The agenda will bring out latest thinking on approaches to the delivery of aims for digitalisation, system integration, increased capacity, and more accessible and person-centred care.
Policy, governance & accountability
Delegates will assess progress and the effectiveness of existing measures, looking at key issues and stakeholder concerns around fragmented governance, accountability, and the pace of delivery.
Implementation of the HSE’s Public Health Strategy 2025-2030 will be discussed in the context of Sláintecare delivery, including issues around resource allocation, health system resilience, and local decision-making. Delegates will also consider priorities for improving coordination across HSE health regions, strengthening public engagement and accountability, and supporting practical progress towards more integrated and community-based care.
Attendees will also examine accountability and transparency, looking at strategies for improving public engagement and for developing reform that can be sustainable for the long-term and adaptable to future needs. Delivery of equitable regional care, safe and effective use of digital tools, and system-wide priorities for improvement and innovation will be considered, as well as the roles of the HSE, private sector, advocacy and community groups in supporting person-centred and effective delivery.
Addressing capacity, workforce & funding challenges
With concern from some around capacity, access and the ability of the health and social care workforce to meet increasing demand, we expect latest thinking on addressing waiting times, primary and community care constraints, and the balance between elective and emergency care. This includes strategies to increase and upskill workers, retain talent and strategically deploy resources, alongside implications of the Department of Health’s Ireland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce policy paper and further aligning the workforce with population and patient needs.
The capacity of health infrastructure to manage immediate and long-term pressures will also be examined, as well as approaches to strategic resource planning and regional organisation to achieve faster and fairer patient access. Strategies to expand the pharmacy sector and improve elective treatment capacity will also be considered.
Further discussion will focus on how funding and investment can be strategically deployed to build capacity, meet regional needs and improve access, with discussion on targets in the Minister for Health’s The Path to Universal Healthcare, €27.4bn allocated for the health service in 2026, and provisions for health infrastructure in the Department of Health’s Sectoral Plan.
Digital technology & AI in healthcare
With the AI for Care 2026-2030 strategy being implemented, attendees will consider what is needed moving forward for safe, responsible use of AI in the healthcare system, including steps to ensure accountability, awareness and education around the use of AI tools.
The agenda will explore the wider role of digital healthcare in supporting consistency, sustainability and efficiency across the system, as well as its role in improving resource and capacity management, and optimising service quality. Priorities for standards, legislation and governance will be discussed.
Community-based care, inclusion & targeted services
Delegates will consider practicalities for the expansion of community-based care under the Enhanced Community Care Programme, including the role of local authorities, voluntary services and social care providers in supporting home-first care, integrating digital resources and meeting activity targets.
Strategies for improving population health, promoting community wellbeing and progressing the Healthy Ireland Programme will also be discussed, with a focus on the development of Sláintecare Healthy Communities and next steps for channelling the Healthy Ireland Fund. The expansion of primary care and implications for providers will be considered, including priorities for improving affordability, ensuring consistent patient experience and increasing infrastructure capacity.
Further discussion will consider longer-term questions around accessibility, affordability and sustainability in a one-tier system. Sessions will assess what may be required to align system reform with quality of care, social inclusion and practical conditions for lasting implementation.
Attendees will also look at how policy and funding can best support targeted services, including the delivery of an age-friendly system, reforming disability services, women’s health and further reducing barriers for underserved groups. Sessions will consider strategies to increase service capacity and reduce segregated provision, as well as the sufficiency of ongoing reform and regulatory initiatives to develop an age-friendly healthcare system. Following the signing of the Mental Health Act 2026, discussion will also consider priorities for delivering person-centred mental health care.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
