The national EHR will consist of core operational solutions (with functions such as ePrescribing and case management), along with the ability to aggregate data from these systems into a comprehensive national summary record, accessible to health and social care professionals who are providing care, and also to patients, service users and carers.
Mr Corbridge, who is also Chief Officer of eHealth Ireland, said: “We will all have an EHR in the future, so it is important we have our say now at this early stage so that we get this right for our healthcare system. We know that other jurisdictions often did not ask the public for their views and therefore implemented solutions without matching them to the wishes of patients and the public. We want to get this right.”
He added: “We are now looking for the public’s feedback on a range of matters such as; what will make the EHR successful, and where the EHR should be prioritised (the community, hospitals etc). We want to know your views on data privacy and accessibility to the EHR and how consent should be managed. A consultation period is now open and your feedback is needed. A feedback form is available for you to enter your thoughts and views. A short video is also available to give you some background and understanding for the EHR.”
Dr Aine Carroll, National Director, Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, said: “The EHR will mean that healthcare professionals will have access to their patients’ healthcare record or chart electronically at the right time in the right place in order to deliver the care needed to the patient. This will also mean that communication between healthcare professionals when caring for their patients will also be easier as the healthcare record will be available to the professionals when needed. It is important that both service users and providers give feedback and have their views heard so that we get this right for the Irish healthcare system.”
The consultation period is open until Sunday, 31 January 2016. To view the video and provide feedback visit http://www.ehealthireland.ie/Strategic-Programmes/Electronic-Health-Record-EHR-/Consultation/
Meanwhile, Mr Corbridge confirmed that eReferral is now available in 20 hospitals and is on schedule to be in all HSE hospitals by March 2016. He said a public consultation is scheduled to commence during January as part of the Individual Health Identifier Privacy Impact Assessment process.
Today’s event was hosted at the Digital Hub in Dublin where a conversation with a number of innovative eHealth Companies and the HSE was also facilitated.
