Bernard Allen
Question:182 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied that information technology has been fully exploited in communications between general practitioners and hospitals. [14135/01]
Written Answers - Information Technology.
The national GP IT group was set up in 1997. Its philosophy was to pragmatically engage with all the relevant stakeholders to progress IT and electronic communications in primary care and between GPs and hospitals. My Department is committed to developing and supporting information technology initiatives in the general practice area.
A recent survey undertaken by the ICGP showed that the level of computer usage by general practitioners is low, but that there were a variety of reasons for this. The area of training of the GPs was one that was viewed as crucial. A decision to undertake a national training programme was piloted in 1999 in two health boards and extended nationwide on a pilot basis in 2000. A total of 270 GPs participated.
A major problem in the use of electronic messaging between the general practitioner and the hospital is that a range of systems is being used. They are not compatible with each other and, therefore, electronic transmission of data is not possible. A consultant has been engaged to accredit the software systems available. She is consulting with GPs, health boards, hospitals and software suppliers during the course of her contract.
A pilot electronic messaging project is under way at the Mater Hospital. Healthline links 25 general practitioners in the north Dublin area with the Mater Hospital and plans to extend it to Beaumount Hospital are well advanced. Progress is also being made in relation to its extension to Limerick Regional Hospital. The system allows for electronic transmission of pathology and radiology results, accident and emergency admissions details, waiting list and discharge notifications. The software used is supplied by Healthlink and installed, if necessary, by it at participating practices. There is a vigorous data protection system in place in order to safeguard patient information at Healthlink.
The computerisation in general practice and its links to other primary care services and to hospitals is considered crucial to the development of an integrated health service. It is one of the areas highlighted in the major review of general practice undertaken by the chief executive officers of the health boards which I hope to address in my consultations with the representative bodies such as the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners.