Ms Rachel Flynn:

In all of our national standards, we talk about the use of information and the need for information in order to deliver high-quality and safe services. As Ms Fitzgerald referenced, in 2021, we did a review of how other countries, which are probably more advanced than Ireland, have been successful in implementing digital solutions for high-quality and safe services and what they had in place that was different from Ireland. The first was having a clear strategy in terms of what was going to be delivered and that it was realistic. Previous strategies have been in place but they were very ambitious regarding implementing electronic health records, patient summary records and community health records. All of that is needed but it has to be prioritised relative to where we are coming from in Ireland. Concerning legislation, which Ms Fitzgerald also mentioned, there was no health information legislation in place. Thankfully, that has progressed as in April this year, the principles around the health information Bill 2023 were published, which outline what the next direction of travel will be around electronic health records, EHRs, and so on. Standards and interoperability are key features in this regard. We earlier referenced the RHAs. As we move to the regions, we must make sure that data are standardised and can be shared across sectors. We are definitely behind the curve in terms of national information systems. There is investment in the area. There has been increased investment made within the HSE to improve that. Projects such as e-prescribing, summary care records and shared care records have been advanced in the HSE as well. It is very important that there is a standardised approach. HIQA has a role in setting national standards for health information. We have done so in the areas of e-prescribing, summary care records and shared care records. The issue leads to on to an absence of information, which my colleague Dr. Ryan will speak about in terms of her conducting HTAs and where those deficits lie.