Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care
The voice of organisations in the integrated health and social care system in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care (NICON) is the voice of the organisations working across Northern Ireland’s integrated Health and Social Care (HSC) system. NICON is part of the wider NHS Alliance, which also works in England and Wales.
We are the only membership body for the whole of the HSC system in NI. NICON has 18 HSC Members, including the six HSC Trusts and the 'regional' HSC bodies, such as the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Business Services Organisation (BSO).
Additionally, NICON’s Associate Membership Scheme is open to commercial organisations, not-for-profits, and professional bodies working in the health and social care sphere in NI. We also recently launched a Northern Ireland Primary Care Network (NIPCN) - the first network of its kind in NI, which covers general practice, pharmacy, optometry, and dentistry.
What we do and who we are
What we do
NICON supports health and social care leaders across Northern Ireland.
We exist to:
- Influence policy and other areas of interest (including providing an 'employers’ voice') on behalf of our members;
- Support and brief members;
- Inform and influence the media and politicians about key issues in the HSC;
- Connect members with other stakeholders and with the wider NHS Alliance.
NICON is led by our Director, Heather Moorhead. The management of our overall strategy and activities is in the hands of the NICON Management Committee. This group is made up of HSC Chairs, Chief Executives, and Directors, who represent the HSC Trusts and regional HSC bodies.
Who we are
Heather Moorhead
Director - Heather Moorhead was appointed Director of NICON in May 2010.
Vicky Lisk
Member Services Officer - Vicky joined NICON in 2022.
Robyn Scott
Policy and Communications Manager - Robyn joined NICON in March 2024 as Policy and Communications Manager.
Elly McGinn
Policy and Programme Manager - Elly McGinn joined NICON as Policy and Programme Manager in November 2025.
Thomas Blain
Programme Officer - Thomas joined NICON in August 2024. He is currently Programme Officer for NICON.
Siobhán McEntee
NI Primary Care Network Lead - Dr Siobhán McEntee leads the new Northern Ireland Primary Care Network. She was appointed in October 2025.
Contact information
Address: NICON, HSC Leadership Centre, 12 Hampton Manor Drive, Belfast, BT7 3EN
Email: contact@niconfedhss.org
Tel: 028 9536 1779
Please direct any media enquiries to Robyn Scott, Policy & Communications Manager, on robyn.scott@niconfedhss.org or 074 8530 3672
Learn more about NICON
If you have any questions about our work in Northern Ireland, please drop us an email
Get in touch
