Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Department of Health

Information and Communications Technology

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Health his policy regarding a move from paper patient records to a more innovative information-technology-based records system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33028/11]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the Programme for Government and the wider health reform agenda I am committed to upgrading the ICT capabilities of the health system to underpin efficiency and effectiveness and, in particular, better patient safety by making greater use of health information to enhance patient care. The HSE will shortly publish a new information and communications technology strategy which will deliver sustainable improvements in health and social care for patients and clients via the deployment of cost effective standards based, secure technology and applications that provide access to meaningful, timely and relevant information, when and where it is required.

As part of this process, greater use will be made of electronic patient records for the obvious benefit of improved coordination of care and better outcomes, as well as reducing costs. Good electronic records will be essential in providing for an insurance based system where money follows the patient. It is internationally accepted that the wide spread adoption of an EHR (electronic health record) is a long term goal. However, significant progress to that end is being made by deploying the core building blocks such as patient administration, radiology and laboratory information systems and ensuring that such systems are deployed using an integrated services framework. Such an approach allows for the development of summary care records leading eventually to electronic health records. My Department is currently developing legislation to provide a legal framework for the optimum use of health information. I expect that information to be published next year.

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