NICON Associate Membership Scheme

Join the membership body that represents the health and social care system in Northern Ireland
An NHS sign on the side of a building.

Become part of the only membership body for the whole of the health and social care (HSC) system in NI.

NICON represents all HSC bodies in Northern Ireland, including the six health trusts Our Associate Membership Scheme is designed to facilitate greater collaboration between the HSC system and the wider health and social care community in Northern Ireland. Membership is primarily by organisation.

Our Associate Members play a key role in shaping our work. You’ll be kept up to date through our member communications and alerted to opportunities to influence the health and social care agenda in NI. We also prioritise the involvement of Associate Members in our annual conference and exhibition, which is over-subscribed every year.

NICON is part of the NHS Confederation, which also works in England and Wales. By joining NICON as an Associate, you will also gain access to additional events and resources offered by the NHS Confederation.

Who can join?

Membership of the scheme is open to organisations that work in the health and social care sphere in NI in some capacity. We currently have just under 50 Associate Members, including commercial organisations, royal colleges, and not-for-profit organisations. NICON aims to provide a unique forum in which colleagues from across these sectors can network and learn together.

Associate member benefits

The key benefits of associate membership include:

  • Priority involvement in the NICON annual conference and reduced attendance rates.
  • Subscription to our weekly newsletter, which covers the latest health and social care news, political monitoring, and updates from NICON and the wider NHS Confederation. Submissions from our members are welcome!
  • Regular email updates, geared specifically towards Associate Members, sent by the NICON team.
  • Free attendance at NICON seminars and webinars (usually six to ten per year considering topical issues), as well as access to a variety of free NHS Confederation member events.
  • Access to recordings of past NICON events, including our recent ‘Grasping the Nettle’ webinar series.
  • Opportunities to sponsor NHS Confederation activities or work in partnership on key events.
  • Access to our website, which includes all NICON and NHS Confederation publications.
  • Support and information from the NICON team, including signposting to useful connections within the HSC system, other regional networks, and the wider NHS Confederation.
  • Opportunities to input into NICON’s work and share your views on health and social care policy with us.

NICON Associate Members 2025/26

    1. BT
    2. Connected Health
    3. Novartis
    4. Pfizer
    5. The Access Group
    1. Age NI
    2. Alzheimer’s Society
    3. British Heart Foundation
    4. British Red Cross NI
    5. Centre for Independent Living NI
    6. Co3
    7. Healthy Living Centre Alliance
    8. Heart Failure Warriors
    9. Inspire
    10. Marie Curie
    11. Mencap NI
    12. Motor Neuron Disease Association NI
    13. My Home Life NI
    14. NI Chest, Heart & Stroke
    15. NI Pancreatic Cancer
    16. Positive Futures
    17. Sense NI
    18. Stroke Association NI
    19. The Cedar Foundation
    20. The Gaitway Organisation
    1. British Association of Social Workers NI (BASW NI)
    2. British Dental Association (BDA)
    3. British Medical Association (BMA)
    4. Community Pharmacy NI
    5. European Connected Health Alliance
    6. General Medical Council (GMC)
    7. HIRANI
    8. Institute of Public Health in Ireland
    9. National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE)
    10. NI Healthcare Leadership Forum
    11. Northern GP Federation Support Unit
    12. Pharmaceutical Society NI
    13. Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
    14. Resolute Public Affairs
    15. Royal College of GPs
    16. Royal College of Occupational Therapists
    17. Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health
    18. Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
    19. Royal College of Surgeons
    20. Southern GP Federation Support Unit

How to join

The scheme is open to new applicants now! To request associate membership of the Northern Ireland Confederation, please download a copy of our associate membership application form (linked below) and return to Robyn Scott.

NICON Associate Member Application Pack 2025/26 Arrow pointing right

Membership runs from April to March and renews annually. Organisations interested in joining during the financial year can do so on a pro-rata basis. Membership renewal packs are sent to members at the end of each year.