Written answers

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

Photo of Michael HartyMichael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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399. To ask the Minister for Health when he will introduce a plan to roll out a unique health identifier and a HSE-wide electronic medical record to assist in public health data collection, patient management and develop the tools needed to implement and manage Sláintecare and the creation of new contracts with medical professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50650/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Individual Health Identifier (I.H.I.) is a key aspect of the eHealth strategy and has a legal basis in the Health Identifiers Act 2014. Since the publication of the strategy, there has been continued progress on the delivery of eHealth initiatives and the I.H.I. On 30 May 2017, a Commencement Order and Regulations under the Health Identifiers Act 2014 were signed, allowing for the implementation of the Individual Health Identifier. The IHI is available to GPs for eReferrals and as ICT systems across the health service are upgraded or adopted, they are being readied for I.H.I. implementation. The HSE have responsibility for implementing the I.H.I. and an implementation plan is in place, with the I.H.I. intended to be phased into a number of national systems on a periodic basis over the coming years.

With regard to the E.H.R., the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy outlines strategic actions on eHealth including that of a national Electronic Health Record solution, particularly in the context of the New Children’s Hospital development. A plan for the implementation of an Acute Electronic Health Record in the New Childrens Hospital is currently being drafted.

The implementation of a national Electronic Health Record and the Individual Health Identifier are challenging long-term programmes within the context of the overall eHealth strategy that will be supported in the years ahead by Sláintecare and the National Development Plan. The IHI and the E.H.R. are key initiatives to support the wider provision of patient safety and patient care in our health service. There are other actions and requirements that are necessary to assist in public health data collection and patient management, such as the introduction of a health information policy and a waiting list action plan. Strategic Action 10 of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy outlines a number of key actions to support putting in place a 'modern eHealth infrastructure and improve data, research and evaluation capabilities'. Detailed plans are currently being developed by the Sláintecare Office in my Department, in collaboration with Department colleagues and health agencies under its aegis.

Regarding the creation of new contracts with medical professionals, the Government is committed to engaging with the representatives of general practitioners on the development of a package of measures and reforms to modernise the 1989 GMS Contract. The goal is to develop a contractual framework that has a population health focus, providing in particular for health promotion, disease prevention and for the structured care of chronic conditions, enabling general practitioners to better meet the needs of patients.

The Department and HSE recommenced engagement with the Irish Medical Organisation in early October on a package of measures comprising service improvements and contractual modernisation and reform. In line with the long-established approach to such processes, and by agreement of the parties concerned, I am not in a position to give further details at this stage.

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