Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1467. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the progress and investment being made in the area of electronic health records across the health service, since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56379/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDespite the impact of the pandemic and subsequent ransomware attack in May 2021, significant progress has been made in the area of electronic health records (EHRs) since 2020.
The enterprise level EHR deployed in St. James Hospital, as the largest hospital in the country, has been continuously developed /optimised – which is an essential activity required to ensure the benefits of the investment in these large enterprise level EHRs in particular, is realised. Similar activities are being undertaken at our other large EHR deployments in the maternity hospitals (CUMH, Holles Street and the Rotunda (and the Kerry General maternity unit).
‘Lighter’ EHRs/ EPRs have been deployed at the National Forensics and National Rehabilitation hospitals.
Since 2020, Childrens Hospital Ireland completed their (extensive) procurement process, utilising the competitive dialogue process to secure the most suitable enterprise level EHR system for paediatrics. Contracts are in place, the team has been recruited, the vendors are in place and progressing well through the design and configuration stages of the programme, in preparation for commissioning of the site and associated systems.
The HSE has a number of procurements that are currently live and are directly related to the wider EHR programme. One of these relates to the technology required to deliver a national shared care record (something that ties together other site or region specific EHRs). Another relates to the procurement of a community based EHR. The HSE has also completed the first stage of this procurement and has shortlisted its preferred vendors ahead of the competitive dialogue procurement process.
All of these developments demonstrate significant progress in a relatively short period of time, mindful of the fact the vast majority of resources across the health service were effectively redirected towards addressing all aspects of Covid-19 and the fallout from the cyberattack for a considerable period of time since 2020.
