Edwin Poots leaves for Boston today on a mission to encourage investment in Northern Ireland.

The Health Minister will be meeting European and US healthcare, political and business leaders when he speaks at a US conference on innovation.

During his four-day American visit, Minister Poots intends to hold meetings aimed at encouraging leaders in health innovation and business to bring their products to Northern Ireland.

Mr Poots will be speaking at the EU/US eHealth Marketplace event and is also due to co-host a lunch for delegates at the Massachusetts State House with Senate President Therese Murray.

The Minister said: "This visit offers us an excellent opportunity to bring closer the day when everyone who needs to access high-tech care in their homes can do so. Not only will I see for myself what can be done, I will be able to continue the process of making it happen."

Representatives from Invest NI, several Northern Ireland technology firms and both universities are also due to attend the event.

In December last year, the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Invest NI agreed a Memorandum of Understanding which was intended to increase the level of investment in innovation in health.

Mr Poots said: "Northern Ireland offers a unique model. It is a single integrated health and social care system. Therefore, it provides an ideal test-bed for any company to develop innovative initiatives and products. I will to take to every meeting I attend the message that business, innovation and healthcare are interlinked for the benefit of all citizens in Northern Ireland."

(IT)