Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1010. To ask the Minister for Health to expedite the provision of medical records for all patients in all hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63006/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assume that the deputy is referring specifically to the migration of paper based healthcare records towards digital health records for all patients in all hospitals.

With that in mind, Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024-2030 sets out a roadmap to digitally transform health services and describes a very clear path for the full digitisation of healthcare records and information systems in Ireland, as committed to under the Programme for Government.

Implementation of Ireland’s Digital for Care strategy is progressing at pace following its publication in May 2024. It sets out vision to enable better health outcomes through seamless, safe, secure, and connected digital health services that support both patients and providers. This vision is grounded in the principles of Sláintecare.

Ireland is pursuing a three-step approach to the delivery of electronic health records in Ireland, comprising a National Patient App, the National Shared Care Record and an enterprise level Electronic Health Record that will be centrally procured and configured, but regionally deployed and owned by each of the six health regions.

The HSE Health app was launched in February 2025 and has been downloaded 186,000 times with 113,000 registered users accessing their personal health information, the user base is increasing by an average of 500 people per day (information as of November 2025). There are now 36 hospitals using the app for appointments (including all maternity hospitals) with a plan for the additional hospitals, statutory and voluntary, to be brought onto the app in 2026.

The app has also been recognised with three national awards in 2025, underscoring its role in empowering patients and improving access. The app has been co-designed with a wide range of people who use our services, staff, and advocacy organisations, who have been active partners throughout the process. Future app features will be guided by ongoing research and engagement with patients, staff, advocacy organisations, and the public.

The technology platform for the National Shared Care Record (NSCR) was procured earlier this year. The NSCR brings together healthcare information from various sources such as hospitals, GP practices, and Community care into a single place, making them available at the point of care and self-care in read only format. By having access to key healthcare information in one place means healthcare professionals will be able to make more informed, safer decisions and to focus more time on direct patient care while patients will be better informed and empowered to manage their own healthcare.

A phased rollout of the national shared care record is due to commence in Q4 2025 in the South-East region with University Hospital Waterford and surrounding community areas. The system will then extend to other regions from in 2026 and 2027.

A preliminary business case (PBC) for the National EHR has been developed by the HSE, setting out the case for the most ambitious transformation programme in the history of the health service. In accordance with DPER’s infrastructure guidelines the EHR PBC went through an independent, external assurance process (EAP) review in July and was considered COMPLIANT in all areas. The PBC was also subjected to review by the Major Project Advisory Group (MPAG), and a Memo for Government is being finalised and will go to Government shortly to secure consent for the next stage – preparation for procurement.

A PIN (Prior Information Notice) was published in June 2025 informing EHR suppliers about the health service's interest in a national enterprise-level EHR system. This process is open to all potential vendors willing to engage through this process. The consultation seeks supplier input to inform the upcoming procurement, with a contract award expected by the end of 2026 and phased implementation following that.