Grasping the ‘nettles’ in Health and Social Care – HSC leaders call for support ahead of major conference
When health and social care (HSC) leaders and partners gather for the Northern Ireland Confederation of Health and Social Care’s annual conference this week, the focus will be on driving change - at pace.
The NICON24 Conference and Exhibition, ‘Grasping the Nettle’, is taking place on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 October in the La Mon Hotel, Belfast. The event is already at full capacity – more than 750 leaders from every aspect of health and social care are expected to attend across the two days.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Dr Mark Taylor, Spokesperson for the NICON membership, said: “We have the draft Programme for Government and Minister Nesbitt has set out a clear policy direction. Now we need a relentless focus on implementation - at all levels.
“We have undertaken significant work to build an evidence base, agreement around the urgent changes that are needed and a deep commitment from our leaders – but we need collective political support, a proper funding strategy, and a whole of government approach.
“With the right support, the public should expect to see, feel, and be involved in progress.”
NI Confederation of Health and Social Care (NICON) is the membership body for all HSC organisations in NI. In preparation for the conference, NICON members were brought together to agree a set of priorities to collectively support change.
The outcome was a list of seven ‘nettles’ that urgently needed to be grasped to support progress within the health and social care system.
The seven nettles are:
- Promoting honest dialogue with the public - as partners
- Cultivating a valued and supported health and care workforce
- Building the capacity in communities to manage care
- Making primary care fit for the future
- Reducing elective waiting times
- Realising the ambition for a joined-up government approach
- Supporting Team HSC – building collaborative capacity to deliver
To deliver against these themes Mark Taylor explains: “The public are not just patients – they are partners in change. They need to be involved in redesigning how we access care and in developing innovative ways to stay well for longer.”
Conference delegates will also hear from Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, who will give an address on what a whole of government approach would look like in practice.
Matthew speaking on a wide range of issues such as social care, housing and education also will say: “Tackling economic inactivity in Northern Ireland is a major opportunity. In a recently published report, we estimate that reintegrating around half of those who have dropped out of the workforce due to ill health since 2020 could deliver a boost of up to £177Bn to the UK’s GDP and unlock billions in fiscal revenue as well as improving lives.”
Across the two days of conference, delegates will hear from Minister Mike Nesbitt, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, and visiting experts; choose from over 50 sessions; meet the Health Committee; and have the opportunity to talk to over 50 exhibitors, all focusing on how best to deliver against the seven nettles.
-ENDS-
Journalists are welcome to attend any of the sessions during the conference - a media support team will be there to facilitate interview requests. The full conference agenda can be accessed here.
Professor Mark Taylor, NICON spokesperson, is available for interview. Some of the conference speakers may also be available upon request.
Please direct media enquiries / interview bids to Robyn Scott, NICON Policy & Communications Manager, on 074 8530 3672 or robyn.scott@niconfedhss.org.
Notes to Editors:
- The Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care (NICON) is the voice of the organisations working across Northern Ireland’s integrated Health and Social Care system (HSC). Part of the UK-wide NHS Confederation, it is the only membership body for all HSC organisations.
- To learn more about NICON, visit the NICON hub.
- The full conference agenda is available here.
About us
We are the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The members we represent employ 1.5 million staff, care for more than 1 million patients a day and control £150 billion of public expenditure. We promote collaboration and partnership working as the key to improving population health, delivering high-quality care and reducing health inequalities.
