TO BE PUBLISHED July 2025
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine the future of Sláintecare in Ireland, with a focus on the next phase of healthcare reform, and challenges and opportunities for implementing a single-tier, universal health system.
Sláintecare implementation
It is bringing policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and key stakeholders together to consider practical strategies for overcoming current obstacles in healthcare delivery, funding, and workforce planning and capacity. It comes amid concerns from some on the pace of Sláintecare implementation, and in the context of continued discussion on resource demands of a universal healthcare model, and the need for greater integration of primary and community-based care.
HSE Health Regions
The conference also takes place as work continues on the establishment of Health Regions, aimed at delivering more integrated, locally-managed healthcare, with delegates considering its implications for service planning, governance, and resource allocation.
Policy coordination
Sessions will look at aligning transformation priorities with HSE’s National Service Plan and Sláintecare objectives, ensuring a consistent and coordinated approach to reform across all Health Regions. Delegates will examine lessons learnt from both domestic initiatives and international healthcare systems, as well as identifying priorities for future investment and policy development.
Access, provision, governance structures, and ensuring sustainable services in the long-term
Further discussion will address key issues such as ensuring equitable access to care, governance and accountability structures, and the role of digital health solutions in supporting sustainable healthcare reform. The long-term impact of demographic changes, regional disparities, and health inequalities on service provision will also be considered.
We are pleased to include a keynote session with Pat Healy, National Director, National Services and Schemes, HSE. Further senior contributors are being approached.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- Sláintecare implementation and governance:
- reviewing the progress of Sláintecare reform and addressing barriers to implementation
- effective leadership, governance, and accountability in healthcare transformation
- strengthening collaboration between government, health authorities, and service providers
- assessing the role and effectiveness of the Sláintecare Programme Board in driving reforms
- equitable access to healthcare:
- strategies to reduce waiting times and improve access to services, particularly in underserved regions
- impact of the €420m patient waiting list fund, which aims to reduce waiting times to around five months
- addressing the inverse care law and ensuring healthcare provision aligns with population needs
- tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes for disadvantaged communities
- workforce and capacity challenges:
- strategies to improve recruitment, retention, and workforce planning, alongside reducing staff burnout
- addressing staff shortages and ensuring equitable pay and working conditions across regions
- supporting healthcare professionals through training, career progression, and innovation
- digital health and innovation:
- advancing the role of technology in improving service delivery and patient outcomes
- exploring opportunities for digital health solutions, telemedicine, and AI in healthcare
- ensuring data security and interoperability to enhance patient care
- funding and resource allocation:
- assessing investment priorities to support sustainable healthcare reform
- addressing funding gaps and ensuring financial sustainability for universal healthcare
- exploring models for cost-effective service delivery while maintaining high standards of care
- community and primary care integration:
- strengthening primary and community-based healthcare services
- promoting preventative care and reducing reliance on hospital-based services
- enhancing collaboration between health, social care, and voluntary sector organisations
- encouraging stronger resource sharing and collaboration between health authorities and service providers
- evaluating the progress of establishing HSE’s Health Regions as part of structural reforms aimed at decentralising services
- assessing funding mechanisms for Health Regions and funding priorities to meet urgent patient need
- strategies for improving integration of health and social care and ensuring consistent access and governance across regions, especially in Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs)
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.
