Mr. Richard Corbridge:

We began implementation of electronic referral with major project investment 12 months ago. To move in 12 months from three hospitals in Cork and Kerry to every hospital in Ireland being capable of receiving an electronic referral is rapid progress. GP systems in Ireland are already predominantly digital and the electronic referral solution is being built in such a way as to allow GPs to have access to it. The biggest selling point, for want of a better way of putting it, of electronic referral for a GP is the removal of cost. A GP would no longer need to complete the administrative functions of printing, putting a stamp on an envelope and sending it. We have seen a very quick take-up of the electronic referral service. The HSE has set itself a target of having 100% of GPs using the electronic referral service by 1 April next year. This will be a joint leap forward because it will give patients access to electronic referral and will allow us to collect information and use it in an anonymised way to manage the referral process and patterns.