Major international eHealth event coming to Ireland
A pan-European eHealth conference is taking place in Dublin next May, expecting to attract 2,500 international delegates and 100 exhibitors.
eHealth Week is made up of two main events: the High Level eHealth Conference co-organised by the European Commission and the Irish Department of Health and the WoHIT (World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition) organised by HIMSS Europe.
“eHealth solutions are critical in the delivery of a world class health system and offer significant opportunities for stimulating economic growth,” said Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health in Ireland.
“I firmly believe that enhanced health service and industry collaboration can lead to great innovation and result in efficiencies, savings for the sector, and improved patient care. eHealth can help us to meet the demands for the delivery of more efficient care and to make greater strides in terms of life expectancy and quality of life.”
Global decision makers from European public and private healthcare sectors, clinicians, hospital and IT managers and VIP guests will take part in eHealth week.
It offers a range of sessions, such as the Irish Presidency stream, an EIP stream (European Innovation Partnership), a HISI (Healthcare Informatics Society of Ireland) symposium, workshops, an mHealth Summit, a venture fair, an SME competition, networking opportunities and an exhibition.
A new addition will be the EU-US eHealth Marketplace, a matchmaking event designed to encourage collaboration between European and US companies, health providers and other stakeholders involving the European Connected Health Alliance.
Peteris Zilgalvis, head of unit, Health and Well-being, DG Connect, European Commission, advocates the Irish eHealth agenda.
“As part of the digital agenda for Europe, our goal is to achieve a transparent and innovative market where competition will give us greater quality, secure and accessible eHealth systems and services, all at a lower price for the benefit of our fellow citizens.
“eHealth breaks down barriers and enables health service providers from different member states to work more closely together. eHealth Week 2013 will give us the opportunity to look at research, development and innovation in more depth.”.