HSE Integrated Healthcare Conference 2026 Showcases Innovation, Integration and Digital Transformation

More than 2,000 delegates attended the HSE Integrated Healthcare Conference 2026, bringing together healthcare professionals, patient representatives, voluntary service providers, HSE Board members, Government Departments, partner organisations and colleagues from Northern Ireland to share learning, showcase innovation and explore the future of integrated care.

Opening the conference, HSE CEO Anne O'Connor reflected on the progress made across health and social care services in recent years, Anne emphasised that integrated care has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery. She highlighted the shared commitment across all organisations and professions to provide the best possible care for patients, as close to home as possible.

Drawing on her visits to services around the country, Anne spoke about the importance of teams working together around the needs of patients. She encouraged delegates to continue sharing innovation, learning and successful approaches that can be expanded across the health service to improve access, patient experience and outcomes.

A major highlight of the conference was a fireside discussion between Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and broadcaster Brian Dobson. The Minister outlined her vision for continuing to transform healthcare through greater integration, innovation and the use of digital technology.

Central to the discussion was the role of digital transformation in creating a more connected health service. The Minister highlighted progress on the HSE Health App, which is enabling maternity patients to access information and manage appointments digitally. She also discussed the nationwide rollout and availability of the Shared Care Record providing clinicians with access to more connected patient information across services.

Looking ahead, the Minister described the planned national Electronic Health Record as a transformational programme that will connect hospitals, primary care, pharmacies and community services. She said this will support better clinical decision-making and improve the experience of patients as they move through the service. The Minister stressed that future improvements in healthcare will rely not only on investment, but also on stronger collaboration, service integration and the effective use of digital tools.

These themes were further explored in the Digital for Care session led by Damien McCallion, HSE Deputy CEO and Chief Technology and Transformation Officer, titled Transforming Healthcare Together: Digital Integration and Impact.

Damien outlined the vast progress that has been made since the publication of the Digital Health Strategic Implementation Roadmap in 2024. He also highlighted the importance of building strong digital foundations, including data standards,infrastructure, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Damien noted that delivering lasting transformation will require strong clinical leadership, standardised ways of working and active engagement from healthcare staff across all services.

The conference demonstrated the significant progress being made across the health service and the shared commitment among healthcare leaders to delivering more connected, efficient and patient-centred care. Through collaboration, innovation and digital transformation, speakers highlighted how integrated care will continue to shape the future of healthcare in Ireland.