Ulster University hosts first Inclusion Health Conference for future healthcare professionals

09/10/2025

More than 250 students from Ulster University gathered today, 6 October 2025, at the Guildhall for a transformative educational event tackling homelessness and health inequality through an inclusive lens.

Led by Suzanne Manning, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, and Dr Clare Puddifoot from the School of Medicine, the first ever Inclusion Health Interprofessional Education (IPE) Conference will see Ulster University students come together to improve healthcare outcomes for all communities, and specifically those experiencing homelessness.

Attending students study a range of healthcare and academic disciplines including medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and dietetics. It is hoped that by looking at existing issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective, more creative solutions and better healthcare outcomes may be achieved.

Inclusive learning with lasting impact

The conference goes beyond teaching, aiming to shift culture in healthcare education. Learning outcomes were co-designed with people with lived or professional experience of homelessness, ensuring students engage with real voices and challenges – not just theory.

An upcoming peer-reviewed study by Dr Clare Puddifoot, Senior Lecturer in Physiology at Ulster University School of Medicine, and based on similar work in medical education, suggests that inclusion health teaching has already transformed students’ knowledge, attitudes, and professional outlook.

This event builds on the 2023 work of Dr Puddifoot and Dr Eleanor Cape, which explored how issues of homelessness and addiction are represented within health education. These brought together a broad network of homelessness health providers across the city, whose input helped shape the foundations of the project.

Since then, the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Inclusion Health Service has remained closely involved, alongside several individuals who contributed through educational sessions at Ulster University.

Homelessness health in medical education (HHIME) working group

HHIME is a working group set up to prepare medical practitioners for marginalised populations. The group is made up of clinical educators, community professionals and people with lived experience. A full list of all partners can be found below.

Suzanne Manning, Lecturer in Physiotherapy said:

“As well as striving to improve the knowledge of our future health professionals, workstreams such as these lend themselves to shaping a fairer health system, built on empathy, understanding and advocacy.”

Dr Clare Puddifoot, Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, added:

“Despite there being over 4,437 homeless households in Derry and Strabane, this “invisible homelessness” remains hidden from health professional education and training. This blind spot means those with the greatest care needs too often receive inadequate, uneven, or uninformed care, a failing we must urgently confront.”

The conference will help pave the way for future outreach programmes, offering students the chance to engage with people experiencing homelessness.

Interactive agenda: Real voices, real issues

The programme included expert speakers and people with lived experience of homelessness:

• Homelessness in The Northwest – Eddie Doherty, NI Housing Executive & Sandra Duffy, First Housing
• Access barriers – Darren McPartland & Chloe Deeney, Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Project (De Paul)
• Communication & bias – Michelle Doyle (WHSCT),Gareth Cullen (WHSCT) & Cate Greer, Specialist Nurse GUM (WHSCT)
• Lived experience of addiction & its links with homelessness – Tommy Canning (Northlands)

Tommy Canning, Peer Support Worker at Northlands and lived experience contributor, said:

“‘Homelessness and addiction are no strangers to each other and in many ways often go hand in hand. Whilst this may be true what it reflects is that when a person is faced with these two extremely destructive forces in their life there also exists high levels of stigma which can often make it difficult to find a way out.

“It is important that we talk about this openly, that we are aware that people in our society are living in this way, that we meet their shame head on with care and compassion. It is our duty as healthcare professionals to remove the veil of stigma whenever and however we meet people struggling in life.”

Michelle Doyle from Western Trust and conference speaker said:

““Homelessness often involves complex health needs, including mental health, addiction and trauma, with many barriers to health care. This event highlights the importance of compassionate, trauma-informed communication and multidisciplinary teamwork. By preparing future health care staff with these skills, we can improve engagement, reduce health inequalities and support better outcomes for our clients in the future.”

Each session was paired with student-led discussion and reflective questions. A mobile health unit was also be present in Guildhall Square, offering insight into frontline outreach.

Associate Dean, Academic Quality and Student Experience, Professor Aine McKillop said:

“This conference exemplifies the kind of transformative education we strive for at Ulster University. By embedding lived experience into the curriculum and fostering interprofessional collaboration, we are preparing our students not just to treat illness, but to advocate for equity and inclusion in healthcare. It’s a powerful step toward reshaping the future of health services in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

The event was delivered in partnership with the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Derry City and Strabane District Council and key homelessness organisations including De Paul, First Housing, Northlands, and the Western Trust ‘Labre Hub’ Inclusion Homeless Health Service.

While attendance was limited to students, organisers are keen to highlight the importance of inclusive healthcare education and encourage broader conversations around advocacy and equity.

Special thanks to NW Methodist Mission, ARC, Apex, The Simon Community and The Northern Ireland Housing Executive for their contribution to this wider work.