Poots to speak at high profile Helsinki Connected Health conference

Health Minister Edwin Poots today departed for Finland where he will speak at the Northern Ireland and Massachusetts Connection (NIMAC) conference on Connected Health.
~ Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Delegates, including key business, health and government figures, from North America and Europe are due to take part in the conference in the Finnish capital. It is a unique opportunity to share best practice in health and social care. During his brief visit, Mr Poots hopes to travel north to Oulu for the opening of The Centre for Health and Technology. He is also due to meet with senior Finnish Government officials to discuss opportunities to promote health and business through co-operation and will also meet representatives of the US government during a reception at the American Embassy.

Before he left Northern Ireland Mr Poots said the aims of this conference were in line with those of Transforming Your Care, the Review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland which was published in December.

He said: “It is our aim to bring down the number of patients being admitted to hospital for inappropriate or unnecessary reasons. Innovative use of new technology can empower people to manage their own conditions close to home. It is better for them and it is better for our healthcare system.”

Mr Poots said he was keen learn from other delegates at the conference.

He said: “Northern Ireland is already leading the way. We are investing £18million over the next six years in remote telemonitoring which will allow 20,000 people to manage their own conditions. However, while I am keen to share our experiences with our partners in Europe and North America, it is more important that we learn from their experiences, expertise and knowledge. I will be discussing with Finnish researchers the potential for Northern Ireland to become involved in clinical testing of a new diagnostic product for early Alzheimer’s Disease.”

The Minister added that good use of technology will also benefit the economy.

He said: “The advantages of NIMAC to health are, of course, only one area of interest. We have an opportunity here to help the economy. It is well recognised that economic and health benefits will only arise through effective collaboration between business, academic and clinical stakeholders, particularly in areas of research and development and we hope to work together in areas where both health and the economy can benefit.

“Northern Ireland has a highly skilled and educated healthcare workforce which should be particularly attractive to companies in Health and Life Sciences sector. My aim is to increase participation in clinical research which will improve outcomes for patients, create an environment which attracts and retains high quality healthcare staff, attracts inward investment, and assists the development of local enterprises.”

Notes to editors:

1. NIMAC, the Northern Ireland Massachusetts Connection, is a group dedicated to advancing business, research and clinical collaboration, between Massachusetts, Northern Ireland and Europe. For more details go to the NIMAC website

2. The Symposium on Connected Health runs from 8-10 February at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Vuorimiehentie 5, Espoo in Finland.

3. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DHSSPS and Invest NI “Connected Health and Prosperity” was signed on 6 December, 2011. It has been agreed that DHSSPS will lead the Project Team for the first 12 months. This will entail taking the lead on the drafting of the Action Plan. The Project Board is also being established with Invest NI. The Board will be chaired by the Project Sponsors (the Permanent Secretary of DHSSPS and the Chief Executive of Invest NI) and will comprise two additional senior representatives from DHSSPS and Invest NI, a representative each from QUB and UU and two representatives from the private sector.

4. Remote Telemonitoring was launched in December, 2011.

5. For media enquiries about this press release, photographs or for broadcast interviews with Minister Poots about Connected Health contact DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.