HSE Technology and Transformation Committee meeting minutes 24 January 2024

Members Present

Tim Hynes (Chair), Fergus O’Kelly, Martin McCormack (left approx. 10:15), Rosaleen Killalea, Derick Mitchell, Brendan Whelan, Barry Lowry.

HSE Executive Attendance

Fran Thompson (Chief Information Officer), John Ward (Interim Chief Technology Transformation Officer), Niamh Drew (Deputy Corporate Secretary), Rebecca Kennedy (Office of the Board).

Joined the Meeting

Gar Mac Críosta (Digital Architect, eHealth - Item 5), Kathryn Kissane (Deputy Delivery Director, eHealth - Item 5), Ben Cloney (Head of Digital, Communications - Item 5).

Minutes reflect the order in which items were considered and are numbered in accordance with the original agenda. All performance/activity data used in this document refers to the latest information available at the time.

The Committee held a private session to review the agenda, the relevant papers and approach to conducting the meeting, noting that the focus of the meeting would be to receive updates on key items and to suggest relevant actions as they became apparent.

2.1 Declarations of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared.

2.2 Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of:

• 1 December 2023

2.3 Committee Workplan 2024

The Committee discussed the draft workplan which had been circulated in advance of the meeting and agreed to approve it noting that it may be amended later in the year as appropriate.

2.4 Committee matters for noting

The Chair gave the Committee a verbal update on progress made in relation to the Prioritisation Framework for Transformation and confirmed a paper would be submitted for the next meeting.

3.1 Score Card 14 - eHealth

The Committee discussed the eHealth section of the BSS (November/December data) which was prepared for inclusion with the BSS Report for the February Board meeting and circulated to the Committee in advance of the meeting.

The development of the 2024 BSS was discussed and the Committee were advised that the BSS is due to be refreshed in line with KPIs and deliverables. Ehealth deliverables will be focused on strategic initiatives such as the approval of the Digital Health Strategy, some key Digital initiatives under that strategy, our Cyber maturity, and a new Target Operating Model for eHealth across the centre and health regions.

The Committee discussed the proposed items for inclusion on the 2024 BSS and requested that the measure of cyber incidents KPI be amended to be more reflective of the cyber security more generally. In relation to the new model for eHealth across the regions, the Committee sought clarification on the reporting line for the new regional eHealth leads. Further information will be sought from the CEO on this and reported to the Committee at its next meeting.

M McCormack left the meeting approx. 10:15.

4.1 CTTO Air Traffic Control Report

The CTTO updated the Committee on the development of a dashboard which will be presented to the Committee at each meeting. Its goal is to provide a broad view of relevant programmes by framing it around a number of themes and to allow for clarity and consistency when comparing progress throughout the year.

The proposed dashboard would cover the headings of eHealth Achievements, Run, Grow, Transform and Protect on a consistent basis. The Committee welcomed the wireframe CTTO dashboard which had been circulated in advance of the meeting and complimented its development and the outlined eHealth achievements in 2023.

In particular, the Committee discussed the positive inclusion of reporting on community services and how Communications can be partnered with to assist in rolling out transformation programmes to services.

5.1 Patient App

G Mac Críosta, K Kissane and B Cloney joined the meeting.

The CIO and CTTO updated the Committee on the development of the new Patient App, advising that significant work is underway which uses skills and lessons learnt from the COVID Tracker App.

The app will provide patients with the following sections: Your health identity; Access to your health data; and Access to personalised health services.

The Committee were advised that the intention is that the App will continuously evolve and will be a key patient engagement platform with our Health Service enabling greater efficiency and access to care. The App empowers our citizens to have greater control over their healthcare needs and is a critical deliverable for 2024.

The Committee queried the extent to which voluntary hospitals are engaged with the project. The CTTO confirmed that they are not involved at this stage as there are challenges around data sharing but this should be addressed over the next few years.

The Committee also discussed the level of patient engagement carried out and were advised that there are patient representatives on the steering group and the aim is to design the App in line with patients’ feedback.

The Committee thanked the team for their presentation and expressed their full support for the App’s development.

G Mac Críosta, K Kissane and B Cloney left the meeting.

Nothing was raised under this item.

The meeting concluded at 12:10.