Morning, Tuesday, 22nd September 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for implementing Sláintecare reform. Taking place following publication of The Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare & Programme for Government 2025+ and related reforms across health and social care, areas for discussion include capacity, workforce, digitalisation, system integration, and options for delivering more accessible and person-centred care.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities for the current phase of reform, including implementation of The Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare & Programme for Government 2025+, delivery through the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2026, and implications of the Sectoral Plan for Health 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. Delegates will discuss what may be needed to improve co-ordination across HSE health regions, strengthen public engagement and accountability, and support practical progress towards more integrated and community-based care.
Infrastructure needs for service delivery
Further discussion will focus on immediate priorities for capacity, access, and service delivery - including waiting times, primary and community care pressures, workforce shortages, and the balance between elective and emergency care. Attendees will consider how investment, infrastructure, digital artificial intelligence-enabled tools, and regional delivery arrangements might best support service improvement, productivity, and a home-first approach.
Long-term access & sustainability
Sessions will also consider longer-term questions around accessibility, affordability, and sustainability in a one-tier system, alongside priorities for women’s health, mental health, disability services, and an age-friendly model of care. The agenda will assess what may be required to align system reform with quality of care, social inclusion, and practical conditions for lasting implementation.
Further areas for discussion
- policy and implementation: The Path to Universal Healthcare - delivery through the HSE National Service Plan 2026 - implications of the NDP Sectoral Plan for Health 2026-2030 - system integration
- governance: national and regional co-ordination - organisation and accountability of HSE health regions - public engagement and patient voice - maintaining a clear long-term direction for reform
- capacity: approaches to easing hospital and primary care pressures - elective and emergency pathways - waiting time targets - aligning service improvements with delivery capability
- workforce:
- approaches to addressing shortages and retention pressures - implications of Ireland’s Future Health and Social Care Workforce
- expanding skills and roles - practical issues around recruitment, deployment, and reform delivery
- community care:
- moving towards community-based and home-first care - expanding Community Health Networks - integrated care programme rollout - aligning local provision with national reform aims
- digital technology and AI: infrastructure priorities - implementation issues arising from AI for Care 2026-2030 - interoperability, data use, and service design - supporting more consistent and efficient delivery
- funding and investment:
- Budget 2026 allocations - supporting capacity-building and infrastructure
- balancing support across hospitals, primary care, and community services - funding for disability and mental health services
- access and inclusion: implications of a one-tier system for equity, affordability, and patient choice - improving access to primary and community care - reducing barriers for underserved groups
- targeted services: age-friendly system priorities - women’s health policy and funding - disability service reform - implications of the Mental Health Bill for service delivery and patient support
