Key voices from across the health, research, and technology sectors gathered at Ulster University’s Belfast campus earlier in July to help shape the design of the new Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT).
The interactive workshop brought together stakeholders from academia, industry and healthcare to share their views on the internal co-working spaces planned for the landmark new building. Participants provided valuable input on layout, function, design features and facilities across three floors of the proposed space.
The session included a first look at a 3D walk-through of the building, prompting positive reactions and lively discussion around the future of healthcare innovation in Northern Ireland.
“The CDHT workshop certainly demonstrated our intent to pursue advanced healthcare,” said Alistair Fee, award-winning Business Innovation Specialist. “I was impressed by the 3D walkthrough – it was filled with super potential. The flexible building contains space for deep thinking, collaborative ventures, and emerging technology.”
The Centre, supported by a £42 million investment, is being developed beside Ulster University’s Belfast campus as part of the Belfast Region City Deal. It will bring together clinicians, researchers, and industry partners under one roof to accelerate the development of new medical devices, diagnostics and digital health technologies.
Stakeholders emphasised the importance of maintaining boldness and innovation in both the physical space and the culture it enables.
“Deeply rooted science, blended with curious spaces, will inspire collisions of ideas and bright design,”
continued Alistair Fee.
“Open planning leads to open minds, open collaboration, and opens doors to new digital advances in healthcare. I hope CDHT will always be bold and daring – stretching ideas so it can be remarkable.”
“The workshop was expertly organised and facilitated, demonstrating great respect for participants’ time and expertise,”
said Corrina Grimes, Head of Business Change at Encompass Northern Ireland.
“Learning about CDHT’s plans to date, as well as its future ambitions, was truly inspiring. I left the event with a strong sense of confidence that CDHT will successfully deliver on its vision and objectives, making a meaningful impact on policy, practice, and research in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
As the project moves into the next stages of delivery, the insights gathered from this session will help ensure that the physical space reflects CDHT’s mission: to transform healthcare through digital innovation, collaborative partnerships, and world-class research.
