The HSE Spark Summit 2025 showcases how innovation and ‘Human Centred Design’ are being used across the health service to improve patient and clinician experience, achieve better health outcomes, reduce the cost of care and address waiting lists. The Summit seeks to benefit patients through frontline, staff-led innovation initiatives.
2025 Agenda
08:30
Registration
Summit MC
Jonathon McCrea, Founder of Whipsmart Media
09:00
Welcome & Opening Addresses
Robert Watt, Secretary General
Department of Health
Bernard Gloster, CEO HSE
09:30
Innovation In Action
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Keynote: Paul Taylor,
Strategic Designer, Bromford Lab.
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Prof. Dominick McCabe, Consultant Neurologist, Tallaght University Hospital
-
Deirdre Bradley, Senior Speech and Language Therapist, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda
-
Anna Marie Kiernan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, Limerick
-
Gary Gardiner, Advanced Paramedic, Letterkenny Pathfinder
11:00
COFFEE BREAK
11:20
Growing Engagement with
Innovation & Change
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Kate Lydon, Chief Design Officer
-
Carole Broadbank, IHA Manager, Midlands
-
Dr. Aleisha Clarke, National Programme Manager, Mental Health & Wellbeing, HSE
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Catherine Marsh, National Nursing & Midwifery Fellow, HSE Spark Innovation Programme
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Megan Walsh, Senior Occupational Therapist, University Hospital Waterford
-
Caitriona Heffernan, National Clinical Innovation Lead, HSE Spark Programme
12:30
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health
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13:00
Complimentary LUNCH
14:00
Leaders’ Discussion:
Pathway to Better Public Services
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Robert Watt Secretary General,
Department of Health (TBC)
-
Damien McCallion, Chief Technology & Transformation Officer, HSE (TBC)
-
Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Operations Officer, HSE (TBC)
-
Caitriona Heffernan, National Clinical Innovation Lead, HSE Spark Programme
-
Loretto Grogan, National Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Office
14:45
Future Focus: AI in Healthcare
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Keynote: Sharon Scanlan, Partner, Healthcare & Life Sciences Lead,
Grant Thornton
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Jonathon McCrea, Summit MC &
Founder of Whipsmart Media
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Prof. Peter McMahon, Consultant Radiologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
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Kevin Kelly, Head of AI & Automation Centre of Excellence, HSE
Dr. Sarah Gibney, Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform
16:00
Citizen in the Centre
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Iolo Eilian, Assistant National Director, Patient and Service User Experience Lead Public Involvement, Culture and Risk Management
-
Dr. Michelle Howard, Research Lead,
HSE Spark Innovation Programme
16:45
Spark Impact 2025 Awardees
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16:55
Close
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Speakers
HSE Spark Awards

CEO Award

Bright Spark National Innovation Award
HSE Spark Summit Conference Gallery
Watch back the HSE Spark Summit Conference 2024 in 5 minutes
Our Partners
Exhibition //
Sponsorship
Why Exhibit at Spark Summit 2025?
This is more than just a healthcare event — it's where ideas meet action. Spark Summit is now in its 7th year and this year it will be hosting the largest number of attendees yet. Spark Summit 2025 offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase your products or services directly to the people who influence policy, purchasing, and practice within the HSE and across Ireland’s public health system.
Confirmed attendees and speakers include HSE CEO Bernard Gloster, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Colm Henry, HSE Chief Technology and Information Officer, Damien McCallion, Secretary General of the Department of Health, Robert Watt; Regional Executive Officers of the new Health Regions; Hospital CEOs; and other senior leaders from across the HSE.
With direct access to frontline innovators, clinical leaders, senior executives, and national policymakers, your presence positions you at the heart of healthcare innovation. If your solution can support innovation, efficiency, or improved outcomes in public healthcare, Spark Summit is where you need to be. Please see our brochure and website for further information.
Contact our team for more on how to get involved.
We offer outstanding speaking opportunities and exhibition opportunities along with exclusive sponsorship options to align your company with the 2025 HSE Spark Summit.


