Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

At present, there are no plans to introduce medical smart cards. The national health information strategy was launched earlier this year. This sets out a strategic direction for the future application of information technology in the health services. Following on from this, an information technology strategy is being finalised under the auspices of the Health Boards Executive. This will be more technology oriented and is designed to facilitate, in due course, consideration of the appropriateness of specific technology tools and services which would include smart cards.

In general the use of smart cards in health is being considered internationally for patient identification only, patient identification and emergency medical data or patient identification, emergency medical data, and some part of the patient's medical record. However, the use of smart cards in health is not widespread. Various pilot trials are in operation and the jury seems to be still out on the precise role smart cards will play in the future in health. The predominant view seems to be that they will be used for patient identification only, with medical information held on a separate database rather than on the card itself. Considerations of data security, costs and acceptability to patients are high on the agenda in discussions about the use of smart cards in the area of health. While the concept of using smart cards in health has been discussed for a considerable period, this has not been reflected in implementation on the ground.

The Department of Health and Children is participating in a recent initiative of the Department of Social and Family Affairs regarding the development of a standards-based framework for the public service card, using the personal public service number as a unique identifier. This will mean that any initiative for a public service card to access services, including those relating to health, will be fully compatible with the framework, rather than a client having to carry multiple cards that would, perhaps, require different types of access equipment. It is envisaged that use of the personal public service number as a unique identifier in the health service will be covered by legislation which will follow as part of the overall e-Government programme.

As well as our national initiative under the e-Government programme, the European Commission is also active in this area and is planning adoption of an electronic health insurance card by 2008. Discussion on this is at a very early stage. This would replace the European health insurance cards introduced this year as a replacement for E111 cards.

While there are no smart cards in use in the health services, the general medical services payments board uses a card with a magnetic strip for drug refunds. This can be used in a community pharmacy to validate eligibility. The general medical services board is participating in the Department of Social and Family Affairs initiative to which I referred earlier and any future developments of cards, including medical cards, managed by the board will be in compliance with whatever outcome emerges from that initiative.

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