Major Dublin gathering focuses on future of health

More than 160 of the world’s foremost healthcare experts will gather in the CityWest Convention Centre in Dublin on May 26th and 27th next to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing health services in the coming years.

Now in its 14th year, the Future Health Summit will feature 15 separate summits covering some of the most pressing issues facing modern health services, in areas such as mental health, integrated care, public health systems, community care services, life sciences, med tech, integrated care, and e-health, under the overarching theme of Empowering the Patient: Information, Choice and Accountability.

Among the keynote speakers who will address the 2,000 healthcare professionals and stakeholders over the two days are Chris Hopson and Dr Sandrine Thuret. Hopson is chief executive of NHS Providers, the membership organisation and trade association for NHS acute, ambulance, community and mental health foundation trusts in the UK.

Neurogenesis and mental health specialist Sandrine Thuret is head of the neurogenesis and mental health laboratory and deputy head of the cells and behaviour unit at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience within King’s College London. She is also a lecturer in neural stem cells research and a neuroscientist with a background in food science, molecular, cellular, behavioural and ageing biology.

They will be joined by Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of Northwell Health. Northwell delivers world-class clinical care throughout the New York metropolitan area through 19 hospitals and more than 400 outpatient physician practices.

The organisation is also renowned for its pioneering research at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research; and an advanced approach to medical education, exemplified by the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine; as well as healthcare coverage to individuals, families and businesses through the CareConnect Insurance Co.

Stimulating interchange

“This conference is another one of Ireland’s global contributions,” says Dowling. “The Future Health Summit is required attendance for all who wish to engage in a stimulating interchange on the future of healthcare – globally and domestically. Combined with Irish hospitality, it’s an experience not to be missed.”

Another key speaker is Bill Maher, chief executive of the Bon Secours Hospitals Group.

“The Future Health Summit has a great track record of bringing together all the right people – the leaders in the health service, the healthcare industry and the public and private sectors from all over the world – to share ideas and best practice,” he says.

“We all learn from each other. We all have our part to play in delivering the best quality service to patients – that’s what it’s all about.”

The patient viewpoint will be represented by high-profile contributors such as Tony Ward and Gráinne Flynn, while Moira Mahon, Margaret Murphy and Michael Harty will present the carers’ perspective.

The growth in both the size and scope of the conference has been quite dramatic in recent years, according to Future Health Summit director David Neville. “The huge growth in interest in the event caused us to rebrand it and move it to the CityWest Convention Centre,” he notes.

How we live

“We will have more than 2,000 delegates, over 160 speakers from more than 30 countries, 120 exhibitors, 15 separate summits covering different aspects of healthcare, and seven patient forums. The conference is focused on how we care, what we eat and how we live.”

Louise Houson, managing director of human health at MSD Ireland, believes the international character of the conference is very important.

“The Future Health Summit has a reputation for bringing together inspirational thought leaders across all areas of healthcare to discuss issues affecting the sector, and as a global healthcare company with a strong legacy in Ireland, we look forward to bringing our expertise to the conversation,” she says.

“At MSD, we’re committed to improving healthcare delivery and solving the healthcare problems of the future – that’s the reason we come to work every day. Our primary focus is on innovating and improving experience for the patient, ensuring timely access to innovative medicines, and we’re delighted to see that empowering the patient is at the heart of this year’s event.”

The use of technology to improve health service efficiency and quality of patient care will be the subject of the festival of e-health summit. Chaired by HSE chief information officer Richard Corbridge, the event will feature a number of leading international speakers including Katz Kiely, founder and chief executive of digital transformation specialist Kiely & Co, and Andy Kinnear, director of digital transformation at NHS South, Central and West England and recently announced new head of the British Computer Society’s health group.

Grown in Ireland

Other summits over the two days will cover areas such as clinical leadership, nursing and midwifery, finance, oncology and clinical trials, corporate benefits, life sciences, medtech, corporate wellness, diabetes, homecare, and mental health.

“The Future Health Summit will be of interest to anyone involved in the health service – from hospital operators to healthcare professionals, life sciences firms and patients and patient advocates,” says conference director Marc Butterly.

"It's great that this event has been built and grown right here in Ireland. People like to come to Ireland for the event and Irish people working in global healthcare organisations like coming back every year as well." For more see: futurehealthsummit.com