Healthcare workers and patients gathered in University College Dublin (UCD) on 12 May for the All-Ireland Conference on Integrated Care (AICIC) 2026, which was hosted by the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) Ireland. A number of presenters discussed topics on the conference theme of, From Goodwill to Good Systems: Leadership and Governance for Integrated Care That Works.

Integrated care in Ireland

Integrated care is a key and recurring element of several HSE strategies and policies, including the HSE Corporate Plan 2025-2027, Sláintecare, the National Service Plan 2026 and the Public Health Strategy 2025-2030. It aims to enable collaboration of patients and healthcare workers and to eliminate fragmented and siloed healthcare systems.

Keynote speaker Anne O’Connor, CEO, HSE

Anne O’Connor, newly appointed HSE CEO, outlined her commitment to integrated care which is shaped by her background as an occupational therapist in mental health. She stressed that a patient’s journey should function as a single, connected system where information and governance move smoothly across services. Her priorities include anticipatory deterioration, supporting people to remain at home when possible, and ensuring interventions happen at the lowest level of complexity. She highlighted the role of the six new Regional Health Areas, which will take responsibility and accountability for all patients within their regions. Ms O’Connor described a shift away from hospital‑centred care toward stronger community multidisciplinary teams, supported by Community Health Networks and digital tools such as Healthlink. She noted that GPs are taking on leadership roles within these networks, marking what she called a quiet but significant revolution in how care is delivered.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Speakers reigned from all over Ireland, as well as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Leo Lewis, Health System Transformation and Digital Health Advisor, NHS Wales, and International Lead, Bevan Commission, Wales, explored the implementation of digital health systems across Europe, highlighting what succeeded, what failed and how Ireland can learn from this. She noted that past attempts of ICT integration followed a similar pattern — no shared record and limited co-design with healthcare professionals. Ms Lewis noted that while Ireland is on the right track, continued efforts are required for organised execution and sustained investment.

Damien McCallion, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at the HSE, outlined the current state of digital health integration in Ireland. He highlighted plans under Sláintecare to build greater capacity for digital healthcare, including the expansion of pharmacy‑based services. Progress with shared care records is already visible in Waterford and Wexford. He noted that under EU digital health strategy, there are hopes that by 2029 to 2031, all patient information should be accessible across Europe. He also emphasised that 50 per cent of electronic health record (EHR) costs will relate to staffing.

Toby Lowe, Professor of Public Management, Manchester Metropolitan University, delivered an interesting presentation on Relational Public Service highlighting that public health services should be a relationship with people rather than something that is delivered to people. This could look like replacing ‘I know what’s best for you’ with ‘How can we explore what this looks like for you?’. Joan O’Donnell, Systemic Practitioner, Geary Institute for Public Policy, highlighted Ireland’s work in this space featuring a Cross-Government Learning Event titled, Serving Communities, Connecting People. Ms O’Donnell urges that systems fund for continuous, collaborative learning rather than solely for results.

Poster presentation

IPU Professional Services Pharmacist Sinéad McCool and Pharmacy Student Yasmin Aminou were proud to present a poster demonstrating the IPU Community Pharmacy Committee (CPC) and Asthma Society of Ireland SABA sticker campaign. This project discussed a brief intervention aimed to reduce SABA overuse and improve health outcomes for asthma patients. Members of the Asthma Society of Ireland were also present at the conference as exhibitors and engaged with interested parties. The poster was accompanied by just over 100 others at the conference from various backgrounds in the healthcare sector allowing for engaging discussion between attendees. A number of posters were presented in further detail in parallel sessions throughout the day.

Exhibitors

Exhibitors were present throughout the day sharing their recent innovations in the integrated healthcare space. Among the exhibitors were Roche Diagnostics who held a workshop titled Beyond the Lab: Building a Community – Ready Diagnostic Ecosystem where they explored the conditions that help diagnostics work in practice. Other exhibitors included Mobile Medical Diagnostics, HSE Spark Innovation, ICAREWOUNDS, the National Rehabilitation Hospital (INSPIRE NRH), and Spinal Injuries Ireland.

The patient experience

Stacey Grealis, Patient Partner, UCD Centre for Arthritis Research delivered an engaging presentation on the patient experience in the healthcare system. Ms Grealis discussed how the burden of integrated care often lies on the patient with barriers including waiting times, hospital beds, insufficient staffing and considerable travel distances. She urged attendees to consider meaningful involvement of patients in decision-making and in their care.

Panel discussions

The conference featured three main panel discussions, one of which featured Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, and Martina Queally, REO, HSE Dublin and Southeast alongside speakers Annefrans van Ede, Coordinator Project Case II Master Population Health Management, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands, Jennifer Martin, Director of National Health Service Improvement, Public Health, HSE and Andy O’Hara, Coordinator, UISCE Ireland. The panel discussed their ‘magic wand’ aspirations for the future of integrated care in Ireland with a shared goal of improving the healthcare experience for all.

Conclusion

The great turnout at the conference is proof of the growing engagement of integrated care in healthcare systems, both nationally and Europe-wide. Implementation of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 along with other advancements in the pharmacy field will undoubtedly contribute to improving the integrated care space in Ireland.

Photo caption: Professional Services Pharmacist Sinéad McCool and pharmacy student Yasmin Aminou presenting a poster on the IPU CPC and Asthma Society of Ireland SABA sticker campaign.