Digital for Care - a new approach to healthcare

Work has already started on projects that will improve not just how we work, but how people experience care. This work spans the development of digital records that connect services across the health system and tools like the HSE app, which supports easy access to information.

By putting the right digital systems in place, we're helping to remove barriers and support more joined-up care.

HSE focus areas

Under the Department of Health Digital for Care 2030 framework, we are implementing a dedicated programme of work.

We are focused on several digital initiatives.

These include:

• HSE Health App, giving patients access to their own health information
• National Shared Care Record, a read-only summary of patient health information
• Community Connect, a digital record across community-based services such as mental health
• Electronic Health Record, securely sharing all patient health information across facilities

These initiatives are detailed in our roadmap.

Why Digital for Care matters

Digital for Care is dedicated to helping patients and staff experience real improvements across our health service.

Benefits for patients include:

• improved results for patients by reducing risk
• making sure services are accessible to those who need them most
• helping keep patients out of hospital when they don’t need to be there
• improved patient experience with less time waiting for services
• less duplication of care and advanced scheduling of appointments
• easier access to healthcare in local communities and at home through virtual healthcare and monitoring

Benefits for staff include:

• easy access to patient information
• improved communication with other care providers
• more time to focus on clinical activities and patient care, instead of administrative tasks
• support with decision-making
• employee retention

Thoughtful digital design can help us deliver better care, support clearer communication and build a more responsive service.

Department of Health framework

This national direction began with the Department of Health Digital for Care 2030 framework, which set the vision for Ireland’s digital health future. It outlines how digital technology will be used to make health services more efficient and patient-centred.

The Department of Health framework is built on 6 pillars:

• Patient as an empowered partner
• Workforce and workplace
• Digitally enabled and connected care
• Data driven services
• Digital health ecosystem and innovation
• Secure foundations and digital enablers

The framework is also driven by 6 principles to ensure a seamless and secure delivery:

• Improve delivery of safe patient care
• Deliver better health outcomes and access to care
• Make all relevant data available to patients to manage their health more effectively
• Allow for more capacity in our health services
• Reduce hospital admissions
• Reduce the cost of care

These principles and pillars guide the work we are delivering across the HSE.

A joint effort

Digital for Care is about more than technology. It’s about how we work, how we connect and how we support each other.

Real change depends on people. This includes the staff delivering care, the patients using HSE services and the communities we support. By staying informed and welcoming progress, we can help improve healthcare for all in Ireland.

More information

For more information on Digital for Care, email digitalforcare@hse.ie.