Susan Treacy
Chief Executive Officer, HealthTech Ireland
A thriving healthtech sector supports national priorities like competitiveness and economic resilience, but challenges like global tariffs, regulatory hurdles and talent gaps require a coordinated, strategic, data-driven approach backed by agile procurement and sustainable investment.
As CEO of HealthTech Ireland, I’ve seen how data can transform healthcare — making it more resilient, responsive and patient-centred. In today’s complex world, leadership demands agility, collaboration and commitment to public good.
The value of health data
Ireland stands at a pivotal moment. New HSE Strategies, alongside the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and the Health Information Bill offer frameworks to unlock health data value — safely, ethically and transparently. These alone are not enough.
We have seen that real progress depends on informed leadership and the meaningful involvement of key stakeholders across the health ecosystem. By fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and digital confidence, these initiatives can truly empower clinicians, researchers and policymakers to improve patient outcomes and accelerate innovation through the power of data.
The future of healthcare is
data-driven, patient-led
and digitally enabled.
Nations treating data as a strategic asset
Internationally, we’ve seen what’s possible when data is treated as a strategic asset. In Finland, national data infrastructure enables real-time health insights, improving chronic disease management. In Singapore, a coordinated healthtech policy positioned it as a global leader in digital health innovation. Both demonstrate the value of leadership, long-term planning and cross-sector collaboration — raising their nations’ health and wealth.
Ireland’s strong digital healthcare potential
The inclusion of a Life Sciences Strategy in the Programme for Government, advocated by HealthTech Ireland, is a welcome step. This ambition has proven successful in other countries and could help Ireland realise its full potential and be a world-leading hub in life science innovation, securing prosperity and building a healthier Ireland.
Our pre-budget call for a Life Sciences Council would ensure joined-up leadership and collective long-term planning, a health ecosystem powered by people, partnerships and purpose. Leadership also means championing interoperability, patient empowerment and evidence-based policy, while ensuring SMEs and startups have a voice. Aligning with government strategies and advocating for inclusive innovation and agile procurement are essential to realising this potential.
Progress is built on people and collaboration. HealthTech Ireland works strategically with the HSE through the National Health Collaboration Council, MedTech Europe, hospitals, academia, IPHA, IDA and EI — leveraging the power of innovation across diagnostics, digital health, AI and medtech.
Together, we’re building a trusted ecosystem that improves patient access and strengthens Ireland’s global reputation. The future of healthcare is data-driven, patient-led and digitally enabled. With the right leadership, Ireland can build a system not just for today but for the future.
