The 2024 IPU National Pharmacy Conference is just nine weeks away. This year’s event will take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone on 27 April, and will feature a combination of individual and group speakers. The theme of the IPU’s 2024 Conference is ‘The Changing Face of Primary Care — Empowering Community Pharmacy’. The event will host an array of excellent Irish and international speakers, including a motivational talk from Brent Pope, in addition to a lively interactive session, ‘The Great Debate’. The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD will address the audience, having also attended the event in 2023.

As outlined in the February issue of the IPU Review, the confirmed speakers will include the Chair of the Ministerial Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy, Dr Pat O’Mahony; Diogo Dominguez-Piedade, Economics Affairs Manager at PGEU; Shaun Flanagan, Assistant National Director of the PCRS; a clinical CPD session delivered jointly by both Prof. Laura Sahm and Dr Michelle O’Driscoll; and a presentation from Joanne Kissane, PSI Registrar.

In addition to the aforementioned speakers, the IPU can also confirm the following excellent speakers.

 

Niall Sinnott, Head of eHealth and Information Policy, Department of Health

Mr Sinnott is responsible for the development of eHealth policy and the national eHealth agenda in the Department of Health. He has a specific focus on enabling delivery of integrated care under the Sláintecare reform agenda through the implementation of digital health systems, digital identity, ePharmacy and other strategic eHealth initiatives. At an international level, Mr Sinnott represents the Department of Health on the EU eHealth Network, the Global Digital Health Partnership and SNOMED International. Mr Sinnott will speak on the subject of ‘Digital Health and Social Care Strategic Framework’. His presentation will cover the Department of Health’s Digital Health & Social Care Framework 2024-2030, which sets out the vision, goals, objectives and policy direction for digital health for the remainder of this decade.

Brent Pope, ex-All Black, rugby pundit, author and mental health advocate

The motivational speaker at the 2024 National Pharmacy Conference is Brent Pope, ex-All Black, rugby pundit, author and mental health advocate. Mr Pope will speak on the subject of ‘Building Resilience in the Workplace’.

Mr Pope is one of Ireland’s best known and respected media personalities, he is a popular, entertaining and highly accomplished business, motivational speaker, particularly in the area of wellbeing and wellness. In his autobiography, Brent Pope: If You Really Knew Me (2013), he spoke openly about his rugby career and personal life. Unusually in the world of rugby, he also speaks honestly and eloquently about mental health issues, having suffered anxiety attacks for many years. Mr Pope aims to empower everyone to share their struggles with a view to them getting the help and support they need to thrive.

 

The Great Debate

The 2024 Great Debate is entitled ‘The Changing Face of Primary Care – Empowering Community Pharmacy’. The debate will be moderated by Dr Tamasine, Professor in the Practice of Pharmacy at Trinity College Dublin and a practicing pharmacist, who will be joined on stage by Dr Pat O’Mahony, Joanne Kissane, Diogo Dominguez-Piedade and Niall Sinnott. This session always delivers lively debate and strong audience interaction.

Don’t miss this great lineup of speakers: book your attendance and President’s Dinner ticket by scanning the QR code or logon to ipu.ie/events for all the latest conference information.

  

AGM

The IPU AGM, which is free to attend for members, will be held on Friday 26 April, also in the Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone. Please book your free attendance at this event so we can manage attendee numbers, at ipu.ie/events. The AGM is open to fully paid-up members of the IPU only.

 

Hotel information

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone has a waterfront location, is less than a 10-minute walk from the train station, and is within walking distance of many of Athlone’s attractions, including the city’s modern marina.

The leisure centre and fitness club in the hotel consists of a 16.5m heated, indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

To book your bedroom at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, please contact hotel reservations on 090 644 2600 or email info.athlone@radissonblu.com and reference the IPU Conference.