Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Bill prioritises the establishment of the digital health records and access to health data for care and treatment. It will make things better for patients. Previous speakers have spoken about patients. Healthcare is so important for patients. That is our priority. With regard to whatever way we can help, whether through information, addressing records or Bills, it is important that we always put the patient first. That is a priority of the Government.

All patients will have access to their digital health records by 2030. Sometimes, people are worried about the collection of information, but it is important that PPSNs, eircodes, which present a huge issue, and health service identifiers be all linked to patients. How many times have hospitals contacted people with the same name in the same house but who have vastly different ailments? How many times have people contacted me to state their healthcare details were wrong? This Bill would stop this, which is important.

It was a great addition recently for patients to have prescriptions emailed to chemists, enhancing information flow. That is what we need. Many people have said to me they find it to be very beneficial. This is a really good move.

I have to ask about communication, however. Are we communicating what this initiative means to patients and healthcare providers? Doing so is important because the changes are to be big.

I am concerned that we will need specialist staff to implement the changes. Will we be training healthcare professionals in the areas of data science, data privacy and, of course, law?

I welcome the use of digital health records as they will improve the portability of health information for care and treatment, regardless of geographical location. That is a very positive development for rural communities. Deputy Butler, as a rural Minister of State, and I, as a rural TD, will note there have been challenges, particularly given the lack of network coverage. It is important to have the system up and running by 2030.

For people with disabilities, the system will support the provision of integrated care and continuity of care and enhance the quality and experience of care for persons frequently engaging with health and social care services in the acute community setting.

HSE-led digital literacy initiatives will ensure patients with diverse needs are supported in the deployment and adoption of records. That is good to know and so important.

I call for increased communication with those whom the Bill impacts, including patients and healthcare providers, on what they have to do and the costs involved. Cost was brought to my attention recently. Will there be a cost factor? What will be covered under the medical card? Many medical card patients have contacted me about this. We need more communication. There is a lot of talk about this matter, which is important, but there is also a lot of confusion. People wonder whether the initiative will make things worse or better but I firmly believe it is really good. It is important that the Government continue with it.

I ask for an increase in the number of pharmacists in the south east. They are critical to supporting medical teams within our hospitals and to the expansion of the roll-out of the community pharmacists and the very significant sector in the region. In the past few weeks, I have met many pharmacists around Carlow. The Government has extended the powers of pharmacists regarding minor ailments. That is very good and very welcome but I believe pharmacists can do a lot more. With the implementation of this legislation, working with pharmacists and with more communication and information, the initiative will be really good. It is important that the Minister of State – I know how committed she is – and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, talk to pharmacists. The budget is upcoming. I do not know what is happening with payments or whatever. I know the Minister of State will support any health measures in the budget. That is so important. It is important that all this is put together and that we work together.

What is the position on people who want to opt out and who do not want their medical information given? Under GDPR, there are certain people who do not want to give away their information, particularly medical information. What is the clause in this regard? Can an opt-out happen? If the legislation is implemented and the new arrangement is in place by 2030, with good network coverage, a good system and good communication and information, it will prove to be important. It will be a good change to our health sector.

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