The 21st National Health Summit took place on 6 February in Croke Park, Dublin. Alan Reilly, the IPU’s Head of Information and Digital Strategy, attended the event and provides the following report.
The Health Summit 2025 provided a vision for the future of Irish healthcare, focusing on the long-term investment required to build a resilient, equitable, and patient-centred system. With contributions from leading healthcare professionals, policymakers, and international experts, the event reinforced the importance of population health, digital transformation, data-driven healthcare, and the role of community pharmacy.
Dr. Ronan Glynn delivered a keynote on ‘Investing for Long-Term Improvement in Our Health and Healthcare System’, highlighting the necessity for a strategic 2040 vision for Ireland’s healthcare. He argued that investment in health and wellbeing should not be viewed as an expenditure but as a key driver of economic prosperity, given the rising socio-demographic pressures, an ageing population, and the increasing burden of chronic disease. He emphasised that without proactive, long-term investment, the health system will continue to operate in a cycle of crisis management, unable to meet the demands of an evolving society. He called for a shift from short-term firefighting to a sustainable, preventative approach that enhances health outcomes, workforce resilience, and system efficiency, ultimately reducing future healthcare costs while contributing to broader economic and social stability.
Dr. Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive of Public Health Wales, introduced ‘A New Narrative for Investing in Health and Health Systems’, advocating for an economy of wellbeing — a model that recognises health as a fundamental driver of economic and social prosperity rather than just a cost to be managed. She emphasised that better health leads to a stronger economy, greater workforce productivity, and increased health equity, highlighting international evidence that countries investing in preventative health, early intervention, and integrated care models see lower long-term healthcare costs and improved economic resilience.
She called for a health-in-all-policies approach, ensuring that every Government Department —finance, education, social welfare, and transport — considers health impacts in policymaking. This approach, she argued, would not only strengthen resilience within the healthcare system but also contribute to better overall health outcomes and disease prevention.
Prior to joining Public Health Wales, Ms Cooper served as Chief Executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) from 2006. Under her leadership, HIQA played a critical role in setting standards, regulating health and social care services, conducting Health Technology Assessments, and advising on improvements in health information and technical standards. Her experience in developing regulatory and policy frameworks provided valuable insight into how governments can embed long-term health investment strategies.
Her message resonated across the Summit, reinforcing the urgent need for a cross-sectoral commitment to embedding health at the heart of national policymaking.
“Better health leads to a stronger economy, greater workforce productivity, and increased health equity, highlighting international evidence that countries investing in preventative health, early intervention, and integrated care models see lower long-term healthcare costs and improved economic resilience.”
A key panel discussion explored the healthcare priorities for the next Programme for Government, emphasising that long-term strategic planning is essential to tackling capacity constraints, workforce shortages, and the rising burden of chronic disease.
Dr Marie Ó Mír, CEO of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, highlighted the pressing need to expand access to rehabilitation and preventative care services, thus reducing reliance on acute hospitals. Gabrielle Colleran, President of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, reinforced the importance of tackling consultant shortages and ensuring timely access to specialist care. From an industry perspective, Michaela Hagenhofer, General Manager at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, stressed the role of innovation in driving better patient outcomes and ensuring Ireland remains at the forefront of medical advancements. Pascal Derrien, CEO of Migraine Ireland, brought a patient-centred perspective, advocating for more integrated and accessible services to support people with chronic conditions.
The panellists collectively called for greater investment in preventative healthcare, ensuring that healthcare services focus on early intervention and population health rather than reactive crisis management. They also stressed the need for stronger integration across primary, secondary, and community care, enabling more efficient service delivery and better patient outcomes. Additionally, they underscored the urgent need for digital transformation, advocating for enhanced data-sharing, interoperability, and a robust eHealth infrastructure to improve accessibility and efficiency across the healthcare system.
Women’s health was a major theme of the Summit, with a dedicated panel discussion exploring how addressing inequalities in healthcare access and delivery can lead to better outcomes for patients, families, and communities.
Kathy Maher, Chair of the IPU Pharmacy Contractors Committee, spoke about the crucial role of community pharmacy in supporting women’s health. She highlighted that pharmacies are often the first point of contact for many women, who not only manage their own health but also act as primary caregivers for their children, elderly parents, and other family members. Another panellist described women as the ‘Chief Medical Officers of the family’, reinforcing the need for better access to healthcare services through community pharmacy.
The discussion also aligned with the IPU’s proposed Women’s Health Plan, which recognises the importance of pharmacy-led services in improving access to care. Expanding the role of pharmacists would allow women to receive timely support for contraception, menopause, sexual health, vaccination, and maternal care. These services, already delivered successfully in many pharmacies, could be further developed to meet growing demand and reduce pressure on GP and hospital services.
The panel underscored that embedding pharmacy into women’s healthcare pathways is essential to reducing barriers to care, particularly for underserved populations who may face challenges accessing GPs or specialist services. By leveraging the accessibility and expertise of pharmacists, Ireland’s healthcare system can better support women throughout every stage of life, from menstruation and reproductive health to menopause and chronic disease management.
With women making up the majority of healthcare decisionmakers within households, ensuring they have direct and convenient access to pharmacy-led services will be key to improving overall health outcomes for families and communities. The proposed expansion of pharmacy-based women’s health services was widely supported at the Summit as a practical and impactful solution to closing care gaps and strengthening Ireland’s healthcare system.
A major focus of the Summit was the role of data in reshaping healthcare delivery.
A dedicated panel explored the impact of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and how it will transform healthcare across Europe by enabling seamless patient data sharing across borders. The EHDS is expected to bring significant benefits, allowing healthcare professionals to access comprehensive patient information, improving care coordination, and enhancing treatment outcomes. However, challenges around implementation, interoperability, and governance remain key concerns.
Clare Fitzell, IPU Head of Strategic Policy, discussed the readiness of community pharmacy for this transformation and the critical role pharmacists can play in a more integrated digital health system. Access to shared care records will be a game-changer for pharmacy, enabling pharmacists to provide safer, more efficient, and patient-centred care. It will reduce the reliance on fragmented and paper-based records, allowing pharmacists to make more informed clinical decisions and allocate more time to direct patient care rather than administrative tasks.
Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients, especially for those with chronic conditions, medication management needs, or requiring urgent access to healthcare services. Ensuring that community pharmacists have access to relevant patient information — such as medication history, allergies, and chronic conditions — will enhance patient safety, reduce medication errors, and support integrated care pathways. This is particularly important as pharmacy services continue to expand, including areas such as vaccination, contraception, and structured medication reviews.
The discussion also reinforced that Ireland must be prepared to align with the EHDS framework, ensuring that the necessary digital infrastructure, data governance policies, and regulatory frameworks are in place. While challenges remain in ensuring seamless data access, privacy protections, and system interoperability, there was broad agreement that the EHDS represents a major step towards a more modern, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare system.
For community pharmacy, the EHDS is not just a technological shift — it is a fundamental enabler of better patient care, increased efficiency, and deeper integration within the healthcare ecosystem. Pharmacists will be better positioned to support patients in managing medications, preventing adverse drug interactions, and contributing to preventative care initiatives. As Ireland moves towards implementation, it is crucial that community pharmacy is at the heart of the conversation, ensuring that pharmacists have the tools and access necessary to fully participate in this new era of digital healthcare.
Damien McCallion, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer and Deputy CEO of the HSE, highlighted the HSE’s growing emphasis on data-driven decision-making, with the appointment of a Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) marking a significant milestone in the digital transformation of Ireland’s healthcare system. This role reflects a strong commitment to harnessing data, analytics, and technology as key drivers of service improvement, patient safety, and system-wide integration. By ensuring better data collection, sharing, and analysis, the CDAO will play a crucial role in enhancing clinical decision-making, streamlining operations, and improving patient outcomes.
The discussion made it clear that data and digital transformation will be at the heart of Ireland’s healthcare evolution, and ensuring pharmacy’s full participation in this shift will be vital in building a smarter, more connected, and patient-focused health system.
The prospect of implementing a national Electronic Health Record (EHR) by 2030 was one of the most debated topics of the Summit. The discussion brought together perspectives from those who have successfully implemented similar systems abroad, those driving Ireland’s digital health strategy, and those responsible for securing the necessary government support.
Ciara Moore, Nova Programme Director at EPUT & Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, shared insights from international experience, demonstrating that it is possible to deliver a fully integrated EHR when the right structures, investment, and leadership are in place. Fran Thompson, Chief Information Officer at the HSE, emphasised that Ireland has a clear vision for EHR implementation, and that the groundwork is being laid to make it a reality. Robert Watt, Secretary General of the Department of Health, acknowledged that while the ambition exists, securing full government commitment and funding will be crucial in turning plans into action.
Despite widespread agreement on the importance of a national EHR, challenges remain, particularly around funding, governance, and system interoperability. The discussion reinforced that political commitment, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, and strong collaboration across healthcare stakeholders will determine whether Ireland can achieve this goal within the proposed timeframe. While the road ahead is complex, the consensus was that delivering a national EHR is both necessary and achievable — with the right level of support and prioritisation at all levels of the health system.
Alan Reilly
Head of Information & Digital Strategy, IPU
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