NI's Healthcare Sector Promotes Inward Investment - Poots

Northern Ireland’s healthcare sector presents a significant opportunity to promote inward investment, create job opportunities and bolster economic growth through innovation and collaboration with international organistations.

That was the key message from Health Minister Edwin Poots as he returned from a successful Connected Health Week in Boston, USA.

The Minister used the trip to share Northern Ireland's work with other countries and regions, to learn from their knowledge and experiences, and to optimise exciting opportunities for job creation and economic growth within health and social care.

The Minister also participated in the 3rd EU-US eHealth Marketplace and Conference during the week where he was a key note speaker along with the First and deputy First Ministers.

He said: "As Health Minister, my first and foremost priority is to ensure that the healthcare service delivered to the people of Northern Ireland is of the highest standard. However, in the current very difficult financial climate, we can also see the very real opportunities which healthcare innovation presents, not only for transforming the delivery of care and services to patients, but also for the growth of our economy. It is my intention to do everything possible to ensure that these opportunities are maximised.

"The existence of a thriving healthcare sector is not just important to the economy in itself but also contributes to economic prosperity indirectly by improving health. Improvements in the health and wellbeing of the population contribute to economic growth by augmenting labour supply and productivity. This applies right from childhood where good health leads to higher educational achievement."

(CD)