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Monday, 16 February 2026
The eHealth-Hub for Cancer, co-led by the University of Limerick and Queen’s University Belfast and funded under Strand II of the HEA North–South Research Programme (NSRP), co-hosted the second All-Island Cancer Data Forum in Belfast on 26–27 January 2026. The Forum brought together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, patient advocates and industry partners from across Ireland, Northern Ireland and beyond to advance data-driven cancer research and innovation.
At UL, the eHealth-Hub is led by Professor Aedín Culhane, whose work in cancer data science and cross-border research collaboration has helped shape the development of the all-island initiative. Professor Culhane co-chaired the Forum alongside Professor Mark Lawler (Queen’s University Belfast), guiding discussions on how high-quality cancer data can strengthen research, support clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Speakers emphasised the need for coordinated, cross-border approaches, as cancer remains the leading cause of death across the island of Ireland, with incidence projected to rise significantly in the coming decades.
Sessions examined the societal value of cancer data, opportunities to generate robust real-world evidence, and the governance and infrastructure required to enable secure, federated research. International experts shared insights from the UK and across Europe, including evaluations of large-scale digital transformation initiatives and the role of trusted research environments in supporting privacy-preserving analytics.
Professor Ruth Clifford, Consultant Haematologist at University Hospital Limerick and Clinical Professor with UL School of Medicine, contributed to the programme with a presentation entitled “Connecting Blood Cancer Data to Improve Patient Outcomes.” Professor Clifford presentation highlighted the importance of integrating clinical and research data to advance precision medicine and improve outcomes for patients with haematological malignancies.
The event also hosted the first all-island meeting of OHDSI Ireland, coordinated through the eHealth-Hub for Cancer, delivering hands-on training in the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model and federated analysis methods. Strong engagement reflected growing demand for skills development aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and emerging Health Data Research Spaces (HDRS).
A memorial session honouring patient advocates Niamh Conroy and James Hastings underscored the vital role of meaningful patient involvement in cancer research and governance, alongside the launch of the new Conroy–Hastings Prize for Patient Engagement.
The 2026 Forum demonstrated strong alignment across policy, clinical, research and patient communities on the importance of shared infrastructure, cross-border collaboration and patient-centred governance. Through the leadership of Professor Culhane and the eHealth-Hub for Cancer team, UL continues to play a central role in shaping an integrated all-island cancer data ecosystem capable of delivering real and lasting impact for patients.
Further information can be found on our project website: eHealth Hub for Cancer
