INVESTNET
Welcome to the HSE Spark Summit 2025 a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the power of innovation in healthcare.
Today we welcome frontline healthcare professionals, innovators, patients and service users, policymakers and thought leaders to explore transformative solutions that are reshaping the future of health and social care. This unique event celebrates the ingenuity of those at the forefront of healthcare delivery, highlighting how creativity and collaboration are driving meaningful change across the system. Through inspiring keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, and live showcases of inspirational and impactful projects, attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements in service design, technology, and patient care.
Today also plays host to the Bright Spark National Innovation Awards, which recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of frontline healthcare teams who have implemented innovative projects that enhance patient care and service delivery across Ireland. These awards honour the dedication and creativity of healthcare professionals who are making a tangible impact on the healthcare system.
Whether you're an innovative healthcare professional, a leader in the health service, or someone passionate about driving change in healthcare, we are delighted you are joining us today to connect, learn, and continue to light the spark of innovation that will shape the future of healthcare in Ireland and beyond.
This event has been accredited for 5.0 CPD Credits.
Certificates will be issued to all delegates after the event.
2025 Agenda
08:30
Registration
Summit MC
Jonathon McCrea, Summit MC &
Whipsmart Media
09:00
Spark | Welcome Address
09:05
Opening Addresses
Robert Watt, Secretary General
Department of Health
Bernard Gloster, CEO HSE
09:25
CEO Award
09:30
"Learnings from a decade of innovation"
Keynote | Paul Taylor, Strategic Designer, Bromford Lab, UK
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Innovation In Action
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10:00
"Rapid Pharmacogenetics and Platelet Reactivity Profiling to facilitate Personalised Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with TIA / Ischaemic Stroke"
Innovator | Prof. Dominick McCabe, PhD, FRCPI, FESO, FAHA,Consultant Neurologist / Clinical Professor in Neurology
10:10
"BABYTALK, Speak, Sing, Read To Your Baby"
Innovator | Deirdre Bradley, Senior Speech and Language Therapist-Neonatal and Paediatric, HSE
10:20
"Virtually Pain Free"
Innovator | Anna Marie Kiernan,
RANP Pain Medicine, HSE Midwest
10:30
"Introduction of point of care (POC) blood testing for Letterkenny Pathfinder patients"
Innovator | Gary Gardiner, Principal Paramedicine Tutor, NAS
10:40
Panel Discussion
10:55
Bright Spark Awards
11:00
COFFEE BREAK
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Growing Engagement with
Innovation & Change
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11:20
"Field research & the Front Lines: Designing with empathy"
Keynote | Kate Lydon, Director, Big Motive
11:35
"Our Journey to Frontline Human-Centred Innovation in a Community Healthcare Organisation: Designing Solutions for a ‘wicked problem’"
Carole Broadbank, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for the Midlands, HSE
11:45
"Balancing Stress - Practical skills to cope with stress"
Innovator | Dr. Aleisha Clarke, National Programme Manager Mental Health and Wellbeing, HSE
11:55
"Changing the Lens: Transforming Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence"
Innovator | Catherine Marsh,
National Nursing/Midwifery Fellow for Innovation/Clinical Nurse Examiner in SAT
12:05
"Occupational Therapy Led Reablement:
Promoting Patient Flow"
Innovator | Megan Walsh,
Senior Occupational Therapist, University Hospital Waterford
12:15
Panel Discussion
12:30
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD,
Minister for Health
12:45
"The ‘Vista’ Framework - Defining and Measuring Value in Healthcare Innovation"
Caitriona Heffernan, National Clinical Innovation Lead, HSE Spark Innovation Programme, HSE
12:55
Design on the Frontline Award & Poster awards
13:00
Complimentary LUNCH
14:00
Bright Spark Awards
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14:05
Leaders’ Discussion:
Pathway to Better Public Services
Panel Discussion
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Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE
Damien McCallion, HSE Chief Technology and Transformation Officer and Deputy CEO
Claire Cummings, Public Service Innovation Team Lead, Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform
Caitriona Heffernan, National Clinical Innovation Lead, HSE Spark
Loretto Grogan, National Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer, HSE
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Future Focus: AI in Healthcare
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14:45
Intro & Chair | Jonathon McCrea,
Summit MC & Whipsmart Media
14:50
"How AI Can Give Back What Matters Most –
The Time to Care"
Keynote | Sharon Scanlan, Partner, Healthcare & Life Sciences Lead, Grant Thornton
15:05
"AI that Matters: Lessons from Real-World Radiology Deployment"
Prof. Peter McMahon, Consultant Radiologist at the Mater Misericordiae University & Mater Private Hospitals,Clinical Professor at University College Dublin
15:15
"AI for Care: Navigating AI Innovation in Healthcare"
Kevin Kelly, Head of the AI and Automation Centre of Excellence within HSE Technology and Transformation
15:25
"Artificial Intelligence for Better Public Services"
Eoin Tunstead, Public Service Transformation, Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
15:35
Panel Discussion
15:50
Bright Spark Awards & Spark Ignite 2025 Awards
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Citizen in the Centre
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16:00
"Making Systems Work for People: Design as Democratic Infrastructure"
Trevor Vaugh, Public Service Design Lead, Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform
16:10
"Consultation, Engagement, Partnership"
Iolo Eilian, Assistant National Director Patient and Service User Experience, HSE
Anne Lawlor, Co Chair, HSE Patient Forum
16:25
"Design Principles and Research Oversight:
To REC or Not To REC"
Dr. Michelle Howard, Clinical Research Lead, HSE
16:35
Panel Discussion
16:45
Spark Impact 2025
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16:55 - 17:00
Close
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Speakers
HSE Spark Awards
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.
