Kildare's Barretstown hosts 12th International Children's Advisory Network (iCAN) Summit
The summit brought global leaders in paediatric healthcare to Ireland
Barretstown in Co Kildare, Ireland's leading provider of psychosocial care for children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses, recently welcomed young patient advisors, clinicians, researchers and healthcare leaders from around the world as it hosted the 12th International Children's Advisory Network (iCAN) Summit at its Kildare campus.
The summit brought together more than 150 delegates and healthcare professionals from around the world, including Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; Prof Susanne (Susa) Benseler, Chief Academic Officer, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI); Dr. Suja Somanadhan, Associate Dean, UCD & KIDS RAIN Co-Chair; and iCAN leaders Leanne West, President, and Dr. Charlie Thompson, Founder.
Hosting the prestigious international summit for the first time marks an important milestone for Barretstown, reinforcing its role as a leader in empowering children and young people to help shape the future of healthcare.
The event also highlighted Ireland's growing contribution to international collaboration in paediatric health, psychosocial care, research and patient-centred innovation.
Founded in 2014, iCAN is a global non-profit that enables young people aged 8 to 18 and young adults 19 and up living with chronic, rare and complex medical conditions to share their experiences with healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders.
Throughout the summit, young delegates from around the world took part in workshops, discussions, and collaborative sessions alongside clinicians, scientists, researchers, and industry representatives.
The programme provided a platform for children to share first-hand experiences of living with serious medical conditions while helping healthcare professionals gain a deeper understanding of the needs, priorities, and perspectives of young patients.
John Mitchell, Director of Partnerships at Barretstown said: "Hosting the summit reflects our long-standing commitment to placing children and families at the centre of care. By bringing together international experts and young people in an environment designed to build confidence, resilience and connection, we reinforced the vital role psychosocial support plays alongside medical treatment and the importance of listening to children's voices in shaping better healthcare outcomes.
“We were delighted to welcome the global iCAN community to Barretstown and thank everyone who helped make the summit such a success."
Leanne West, President of iCAN, said: "Every child has expertise that comes from living with their condition every day. At iCAN, we believe every child, everywhere deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard and to help shape the future of healthcare. Our programming not only gives young people a seat at the table - it builds their confidence to share their experiences, advocate for themselves and others, and become the healthcare leaders of the future.
“Barretstown provided the perfect setting for children, families, clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world to learn, collaborate, and have fun together, reminding us that the best healthcare solutions are created with patients, not just for them."