Connected Health

Northern Ireland is emerging as a major player within the connected health sector in Europe.  With strong links between academic, business and clinical partners throughout the UK, Europe and US, Northern Ireland is an ideal hub to explore international best practice in health care delivery. The Region’s Department of Health is proactive in promoting best practice within the UK and internationally.

The location and size of the region means it is ideally suited to pilot R&D projects with access to expertise in world-class universities.  Northern Ireland also benefits from competitive operating costs, a skilled workforce and one of the most advanced telecommunications infrastructures in the world.


Ability to partner with health care systems

Northern Ireland is at the forefront of and driving a European wide Connected Health Initiative, providing the ability to partner with internationally renowned names within the healthcare field.  

The European Centre for Connected Health (ECCH) was established in Belfast with the aim of promoting improvements in patient care through the use of technology in health and social care and to fast track new products and innovation in the health and social services.  

The European Connected Health Campus (ECHC), also located in Belfast provides leadership for the development of Connected Health markets and practice across Europe.  It has four international foundation members; Intel, Bosch, CA and Bayer.  Local membership includes; Queens University, University of Ulster, BioBusiness NI and Momentum.  ECHC is a member of the Continua Health Alliance, a non-profit industry coalition of the finest healthcare and technology companies joining together in collaboration to improve the quality of personal healthcare. It has more than 200 members worldwide including Intel, Philips and GE Healthcare.  

Strong links between academia and industry

Two internationally renowned universities have been key drivers in the development of the region's technology and knowledge industries. Queen's University, Belfast and the University of Ulster have globally-recognised research centres across a range of disciplines, which are producing new ideas that change the world we work and live in. They each have a strong track record in commercialisation of research and in spinning-off successful business ventures.  

There are 13 globally recognised research centres of excellence in Northern Ireland.

These include:

• Institute of Electronics, Communication & IT (ECIT) is a world-leading research facility offering electronic and computing technology research in one flagship centre.
• Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC) is a world-class research complex it represents a consolidation of research groups, associated with advanced material types used in medical devices, electronics, photonics, nanotechnology, sensors, MEMS, optical and environmental devices

Growing cluster within the sector

Northern Ireland is home to innovative companies within the medical devices, sensor technology and software fields with proven expertise in the international connected health world.  Examples include such as Sensor Technology and Devices, Heartsine and BiancaMed.