The IPU presented a poster at the recent HSE Integrated Healthcare Conference 2026 which took place at the Convention Centre Dublin on 3 September. The event brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and service users under the theme Delivering Integrated Care Together. The conference focused on delivering services closer to patients’ homes and communities.

MC Bryan Dobson opened the conference, followed by contributions from HSE CEO Anne O’Connor, HSE Chair Ciarán Devane and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

A central theme was the shift from a ‘hospital first’ approach towards community care. The COPD Enhanced Community Care model demonstrated its potential, with national completion estimated to prevent more than 5,000 admissions and save almost 28,000 bed days over five years. Similarly, 91% of patients enrolled in the Chronic Disease Management Programme now receive care through general practice rather than hospital outpatient departments.

These examples demonstrate how integrated care can support earlier intervention and continuity of care. For community pharmacy, this shift allows pharmacists to contribute further to disease management, prevention and medicines optimisation.

AI was a prominent theme, with its use in ADHD assessments showing a 43% reduction in consultant time, a 63% reduction in clinical paperwork and a 32% increase in direct clinical care. This demonstrates how AI could reduce administrative demands and create more time for patient-facing care.

Digital transformation included the HSE One Health Record, Medication Management Record, AI for Care and Remote Care Monitoring. For pharmacy, improved access to clinical and medication information could support safer medicines management and patient care.

Community pharmacy was represented within the poster exhibition through the IPU poster, Advancing Irish Community Pharmacy Services — Development and Evaluation of a Pharmacist Assessment Form for a Common Condition Service, by Noelle Horan, Dr Susan O’Dwyer and Paul Fahey. The poster was presented at the conference by members of the IPU team.

The project focused on a structured pharmacist assessment form to support delivery of the Common Conditions Service, reflecting the expanding clinical role of community pharmacists.

Overall, the conference reinforced a move towards more connected, community-based care. As healthcare becomes increasingly integrated and digitally enabled, community pharmacy is well placed to play a greater role in the wider patient pathway.