Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach seo inniu. I extend a very warm welcome to all our visitors here this afternoon. As the Minister of State will be well aware, speed is crucial for accurate diagnosis. Timely and accurate diagnosis are essential for effective treatment planning, improved patient outcomes and reduced risks. Accuracy is, of course, paramount but the speed of diagnosis can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in our hospitals. Anyone who has visited the Beamont Hospital seeking the results of a biopsy or has accompanied a relative there knows all about it. This is why, alarmingly, doctors have expressed concerns over the delayed national medical laboratory IT system and have called for a risk assessment of same. MedLIS, which is the medical laboratory IT system, has been in this country for the past ten years but so far has only been rolled out to one hospital, that being Beaumont Hospital. The Cavan-Monaghan hospital group, among others, are next in line for the MedLIS system, eventually going nationwide. MedLIS is used to log and track blood tests and medical samples. Doctors have serious concerns about this IT system and have written letters detailing 16 significant flaws with the system. They have great concerns about the basic functionality of the system and are calling for a review of same. There appears to be an issue with regard to its search and how that search is collated. They have serious concerns about the implications of this on diagnosis and treatment. Complaints that the HSE does not allow sufficient time for satisfactory resolution of issues is also a major concern for them.

In 2015, we signed a contract in this country for €33 million with Oracle Health, and in 2022, a €17.9 million extension on the basis of a national roll-out, but so far only €24.3 million of this has been spent.

More than 50 consultants and medical scientists wrote to the chief executive and the chief clinical officer with concerns. Some medical scientists have threatened strike action based on patient risk at a hospital where MedLIS has been proposed. Modern systems, we all know, are essential, but many have serious issues with doctors’ concerns not being addressed.

Oracle also supplies health records to maternity hospitals and St. James’s Hospital in Dublin. That poses the question of how efficient and accurate the system is working in these hospitals.

I have no doubt that the HSE is taking these issues seriously. Can the Minister of State elaborate on what actions have been taken to alleviate the general concerns of staff and senior management at Beaumont Hospital to ensure that the system they are operating is fit for purpose? Second, can she enlighten us on the likely roll-out of the medical laboratory IT system at other hospitals on the waiting list for such a development?