Clinical input provided into imminent EHR business case

The HSE business case for a national electronic health record (EHR) is expected to be finalised by the end of March, this newspaper has been informed.

The Executive confirmed to the Medical Independent (MI) that the process has included “clinical input”.

Under the HSE National Service Plan 2025, the Executive has committed to gaining approval for an EHR business case this year and commencing procurement.

“There are a range of clinical inputs supporting the development of the business case, including the Chief Clinical Information Officer, Chief Nursing [and Midwifery] Information Officer, pharmacy, community teams, etc,” said the HSE spokesperson.

On 6 February, the slow implementation of a national EHR was highlighted at the 21st National Health Summit. Several speakers raised the importance of clinical input into the creation of the EHR.

Mr Fran Thompson, HSE Chief Information Officer, told the conference that the procurement process could be “challenging”. However, by 2030, he expected that “we will be a long way down the road” in terms of rolling out a national EHR.

Mr Robert Watt, Secretary General at the Department of Health, said he was “fairly confident” the “vast majority” of the Irish health system would be “digitalised” by 2030. 

The HSE informed MI the EHR business case was being aligned with the public spending code guidelines. Once completed, the Department of Health will be provided with a copy. The spokesperson added that HSE Dublin and North East is earmarked as the first region where the national EHR will be introduced. “The remaining sites will be selected at a later date.”

Separately, the HSE spokesperson said the procurement process for a national shared care record has identified a recommended vendor. 

Subject to contractual discussions with a successful vendor, the contract will be awarded by the end of March. 

“Once the contract is awarded the design and deployment phases will begin.” The HSE is still targeting an initial implementation during the final quarter of this year.