South East Technological University leads European conference on digital skills for healthcare workforce
South East Technological University (SETU) has achieved a significant first as the only Irish higher education institution to lead a Europe-wide project funded under the EU4Health programme. The Dynamic Digital Skills for Medical and Allied Professionals (DDS-MAP) project is supporting healthcare staff across Europe to develop stronger digital skills and prepare for future challenges.
On 26 June 2025, the project brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers and digital learning experts at a conference in Brussels to share progress and plan next steps. Participants from more than ten countries discussed how digital tools can help health services become more resilient and responsive.
Opening the event, Professor John Wells, Head of the Faculty of Health Sciences (Waterford) at SETU and Coordinator of the DDS-MAP project, said “the initiative is helping healthcare systems adapt to pressures such as an ageing population, climate change and geopolitical uncertainty”. He emphasised “the importance of supporting digital skills development across all roles, from clinical care to administration and social services”.
Ivana Davidovska, Head of Projects at the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) said, “I wish to highlight the need for training that is inclusive and reaches staff who often miss out on digital learning opportunities”. She praised DDS-MAP for creating resources that can be used by a wide range of professionals, not just those in clinical settings.
Dr Patronille Bogaert of the European Commission delivered the keynote address, describing DDS-MAP as an example of practical, accessible training that can be adapted in different countries. She also spoke about the major challenges facing Europe’s health workforce, including uneven distribution of staff, an ageing workforce and the growing need for digital expertise.
While the project is still underway, the Brussels conference was an important opportunity for participants to gather feedback, celebrate achievements and explore how DDS-MAP tools and approaches can be built into national strategies and everyday practice.
Discussions on the day included:
- The importance of cybersecurity awareness for all healthcare staff.
- Embedding digital skills into ongoing professional development.
- Creating flexible micro-credentials that can be recognised across the EU.
Speakers also agreed that training should be designed in partnership with professionals so it reflects real-world needs and challenges.
About DDS-MAP
Co-funded by the EU4Health programme, DDS-MAP is helping to build digital skills among health and allied professionals across Europe. The project aims to improve the resilience and adaptability of health systems through targeted training and collaboration. The DDS-MAP partnership includes 15 organisations from 10 European countries. In Ireland, SETU is working alongside UCD Health Sciences.
For more information about DDS-MAP and SETU’s role in European health innovation, visit https://ddsmap.easpd.eu/
