Growing The North's Connected Economy

The Minister began a week-long Invest Northern Ireland Trade and Investment Mission to the USA, in Boston, where she met delegates in advance of the Connected Health Symposium. The conference attracts in excess of 700 international delegates from healthcare companies, healthcare professionals and government.

Addressing a group of delegates attending the Connected Health Symposium the Minister said: "By combining healthcare and economic development we can not only grow our economy but deliver improvements to health and social care services.

"Connected health means delivering better healthcare by using the latest technologies to provide a better service for patients' ongoing needs."

The Minister continued: "Linkages between Northern Ireland and Massachusetts go far beyond history with current partnerships extending to the 'Belfast-Boston Connection,' a private sector initiative, which identified the potential of linking healthcare and economic development.

"Following on from this partnership Northern Ireland established its 'European Centre for Connected Health' which enjoys a good working relationship with Partners Healthcare and their Centre of Connected Health in Boston. The Northern Ireland Centre is taking forward new technologies to offer improved care to those with long-term conditions such as respiratory diseases and diabetes.

"Northern Ireland is an ideal location for life science businesses as it offers a highly educated workforce with one of the youngest populations in the European Union alongside world-class universities and R & D support."

The Minister concluded: "We in Government hope to enhance Northern Ireland's Connected Health reputation and ultimately deliver real economic and healthcare benefits for everyone in Northern Ireland."

The Minister met with Connected Health industry representatives, telemedicine companies, healthcare companies and academics at the British Consul offices before the Connect Health Conference.