ECHAlliance – The Global Health Connector is thrilled to host the 5 Nations Ecosystem Gathering: “Connecting the Dots – Globally” on 15 May 2025, at Ulster University, Belfast, as well as online.
Due to strong global interest, we are pleased to announce that the event will also be available online and registration is now open here. By registering online, you can join us for the full programme or simply attend the sessions that are most relevant to you.
This impactful event will bring together key stakeholders from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Additionally, participants will benefit from virtual contributions by health leaders from Africa, India, the USA, Singapore, and Europe, creating a truly global dialogue on tackling pressing health and care challenges.
The event’s discussions will centre on four critical themes:
- Social Care: Addressing the evolving needs of communities and advancing sustainable care solutions.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Exploring the role of AI in transforming healthcare delivery, diagnostics, and patient care.
- Funding: Examining financial models, investment opportunities, and crossborder collaborations.
- Health & Economy: Evaluating the economic impact of healthcare innovation and fostering synergies between sectors.
Key Features of the Gathering – a dynamic agenda featuring:
- Panel Discussions
- Interactive Sessions
- Networking Opportunities
- Exhibition Showcase
Agenda
9:00 – 9:10 – Welcome & Opening remarks
9:10 – 10:10 – Panel 1: Health, a cost or an engine for economic growth?
- Brian O’Connor (Moderator) – Chair, Global Health Connector
- Mike Farrar – Interim Permanent Secretary, Department of Health
- Dr. Amit Thakker (Virtual participation from Kenya) – Global Health Connector Partner – Executive Chairman, Africa Health Business
- Dr. Adrian Johnston MBE – Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast
- Sheena Asthana – Director, Centre for Health Technology South West England
- Muiris O’Connor – Assistant Secretary, Department of Health, Ireland
10:10 – 10:55 -Panel 2: How do or how could health clusters have an impact?
- Breánndan Casey (Moderator) – Education & Outreach Manager, Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Rob Grundy – Director of Innovation Partnerships, Catalyst
- Paul Beaney – Head of Project Delivery, Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology, Ulster University
- Barry Singleton – Nexus Engagement Manager, Nexus Leeds
- Joann Rhodes – Chief Executive, HIRANI
- James Bourne – Partnership Delivery Manager, Life Sciences Hub Wales
- Gisela Garcia-Alvarez (Virtual participation from Singapore) – ECHAlliance Ambassador, Singapore
10:55 – 11:40 – Panel 3: Is social care the problem or the solution?
- Heather Moorhead (Moderator) – Director, NICON
- Marlene Harkis – Engagement Lead, Digital Heath and Care Innovation Centre Scotland
- Mika Apell – Founder and Chief Internationalization Officer (CIO), Evondos Group
- Sheena Asthana – Director, Centre for Health Technology, University of Plymouth
- Theresa Morrison – Chief Operating Officer, Connected Health Limited
- George Margelis (Virtual participation from Australia) – ECHAlliance Ambassador, Australia
11:40 – 11:45 – Announcement: Northern Ireland Ecosystem Date
11:45 – 11:55 – ECHAlliance the Global Health Connector: From Local to Global
- Bleddyn Rees – Deputy Chair, ECHAlliance, The Global Health Connector
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch & Networking
13:00 – 13:45 – Panel 4: A role for AI?
13:45 – 13:50 – Announcement: Global Cancer TIE
- Andy Bleaden – Community Director, ECHAlliance, The Global Health Connector
- Professor Mark Lawler – Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Digital Health, Queen’s University Belfast
13:50 – 14:50 Panel 5: The role and opportunities of data to improve services and system sustainability
- Bleddyn Rees (Moderator) – Deputy Chair, ECHAlliance, The Global Health Connector
- Martina Skelly – Co-Founder and CEO, Yellow Schedule
- Ian Benett – Product Specialist for UK & Ireland, Better
- Rebecca Walsh – Design Director, Big Motive, NISC programme
- Patrick Marren – Project Manager, Standards & Shared Care Records, Department of Health Ireland
- Prof Rajendra Pratap Gupta (Virtual participation from India) – Global Health Connector Partner – Founder, Health Parliament
14:50 – 15:35 Panel 6: Where is the money coming from?
- Karolina Mackiewicz (Moderator) – Innovation Director, ECHAlliance, The Global Health Connector
- Martha Cahill – National Representative, EU Funding for Health Research, Horizon Europe, Enterprise Ireland
- Patrick Cullen – Horizon Europe – Northern Ireland Contact Point for Digital Healthcare, Ulster University
- Dr. Michael Short CBE – Chair, UK Telecomms Innovation Advisory Board
- Ciaran McCartan, Innovation Advisor, Invest Northern Ireland
15:35 – 16:20 Panel 7: Spotlight on City Deals, actions and how to get involved
- Caroline McGoran (Moderator) – Funding Development Manager, Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology, Ulster University
- Professor Mark Lawler – Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Digital Health, Queen’s University Belfast
- Paul Toner – City & Growth Deals Manager, Invest NI
- Dr. Adrian Johnston MBE – Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast
- Professor Jim McLaughlin – Director of NIBEC and Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) Lead, Ulster University
- Eric Thrailkill (Virtual participation from USA) – Executive Director, US Operations, ECHAlliance, The Global Health Connector
16:20 -16:35 Outcomes and Action Panel
