Richard Bruton
Question:136. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the plans for e-health and remote delivery. [6835/22]
View answerTuesday, 15 February 2022
Questions (136)
Written answers
By 'remote delivery', I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to situations where those using health services do not have to present in person but can instead use a technology-assisted alternative, such as virtual consultations.
In response to COVID-19 and the need to implement social distancing measures, various healthcare professionals and facilities looked to telehealth as a way of providing continuity of care to patients. Teleconsultations, as a means of engaging with patients where a physical examination is not required, were widely used across the health system during the pandemic. For instance, GPs used both phone and video channels specifically developed for the clinical environment, as options to offer their patients access to triage and referral for testing. Specific rates for reimbursement of GPs who chose to offer these services were agreed. Leveraging long standing and close working relationships with colleagues in NHS Scotland, the HSE deployed a solution called 'Attend Anywhere' and set up a programme to make it available to hospitals, outpatient departments and other care services and settings across the country where there was value in offering such a solution. In many instances, the challenging health environment accelerated use of digital solutions that might otherwise have taken longer to adopt.
The Department of Health will continue to support the practical implementation and adoption of eHealth, digital health and ICT developments in 2022 and beyond.