The framework sets out a roadmap for accelerating the shift to a fully integrated national digital health ecosystem. It focuses on enabling health service users to access their personal digital health records, enabling healthcare professionals to access real-time comprehensive patient information in digital format and streamline efficiency while reducing costs for the healthcare system.

Why it’s notable: 

• A new patient app, set to launch later this year, aims to provide patients with direct access to their personal digital health records. The app will offer digital tools for managing care, including appointment scheduling, pre-registration, referral information, and online prescription ordering. Patients will have control over their data usage and access permissions. Healthcare staff will also benefit from improved workplace infrastructure, including high-speed connectivity and access to digital resources through a staff portal, facilitating tasks such as timesheet management and eRostering. 

• A central aspect of the strategy is the development of a national shared care record (SCR) to collate patient information from acute and community services. The SCR will lay the foundation for the envisioned electronic health record (EHR) system. Currently, in the absence of a defined national approach to EHR implementation, multiple point solutions have emerged, resulting in a disjointed patient journey. The Framework sets out to ensure the availability of a unified, longitudinal patient record accessible to both patients and clinicians.

POV: Revamping Ireland's health system to match European standards demands a swift digital transformation. Yet, sluggish progress and challenges suggest this will be a lengthy journey.

• Despite significant government commitment and additional funding in recent years, Ireland continues to be ranked poorly by comparison with other EU member states in relation to digital health. The Irish health service faces major challenges, stemming from the need to build extra capacity, hire additional consultants, and provide them with necessary tools to work effectively. Moving towards an advanced digital health system has the potential to offer benefits such as enhanced accessibility, streamlined workflow, and most importantly, improved patient care and safety.

• With many Irish hospitals' still operating paper-based records, there is an urgent need for a national EHR system. The Framework acknowledges the significant challenge of implementing a single nationwide EHR system. To address this, the plan is to leverage existing investments in EHR and related clinical information systems. Efforts are underway to define national standards for data sharing, interoperability, and clinical terminology. Additionally, a national procurement framework for future EHRs is being established, with plans to develop a shortlist of successful EHR vendors. The six new health regions established under Sláintecare will then select a preferred vendor from this list for local implementation.

Read the full framework here