Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the measure that have been taken to introduce a universal information technology system to allow immediate access to patient records across the health service; the date on which this will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39130/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to the concept of an EHR (Electronic Health Record) to enable patient information to be stored, accessed and shared in a secure environment by patients and authorised health server providers. The primary purpose of such records is the support of patient safety, improved quality of care, together with improved efficiency. They can also provide new and valuable opportunities for reform of the service delivery model.

The development of EHRs on a national basis poses considerable challenges in terms of interoperability of systems, costs, privacy and security which are prerequisites in support of the development of such systems.

As the Deputy will know, the health system is a complex environment with heterogenous information systems and multiple service providers which must be linked together to supply the relevant information to support the EHR concept. In some other jurisdictions the development of EHR's is aimed at producing summary care records containing key patient information.

My Department is currently developing an eHealth strategy which will outline the core building blocks required to develop the optimum environment to support the development of information systems required to enhance patient care, connected health, efficiency and reform. It is working closely with the HSE and HIQA in developing the necessary supporting infrastructure and information standards. The legislative environment required to underpin the governance for health information systems including EHR's will be provided by the Health Information Bill to be published before the end of the year.

A key component of this new infrastructure will be a system to support unique patient identification operating in tandem with the public service card infrastructure.