HIQA seeks feedback on Health Information Standards

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is asking the public for their feedback on its Draft recommendations on a model for health information standards to support the delivery of health and social care services in Ireland.

Health information plays a key role in Irish health and social care services as front-line staff use patients’ data on a daily basis, while this data also informs future public policy decisions.

HIQA is encouraging submissions from the public during a six-week consultation on these draft recommendations, following which a final version will be submitted to the Minister for Health for consideration.

Health information standards deliver efficiencies in sharing patients’ data across our health and social care services. HIQA’s draft recommendations outline the need to establish a strategic independent entity to develop and implement health information standards in Ireland.

This project is aligned with key national eHealth priorities, including Sláintecare, and it also follows on from HIQA’s 2021 paper on the need to reform Ireland’s health information system, which made six recommendations to achieve reform across health and social care.

HIQA Director of Health Information and Standards on new draft model

HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards, Rachel Flynn, said:  “Healthcare is information-intensive, generating huge volumes of data every day. It is essential that this data is accurate and reliable to be shared across all services. Through Sláintecare, there has been a commitment to adopt a standards-based approach for delivering a national health information system.

“However, while some good practice exists, overall this model is underdeveloped and responsibilities are spread across multiple organisations. Unlike in many other jurisdictions, there is no single entity in Ireland with responsibility for health information across both public and private services, or which has a mandate to develop, implement and promote the adoption of health information standards.

“HIQA looks forward to working closely with the Department of Health on the new general scheme of a Health Information Bill which aims to ensure that Ireland has a fit-for-purpose national health information system. These recommendations present a real opportunity to accelerate progress in digital health and make a difference for patients.”

HIQA is now seeking to ensure that patients, their families and carers, healthcare professionals, and the general public can provide their views and contribute to the development of these recommendations. All feedback received will be analysed and used to inform the final recommendations.

Draft recommendations on a model for health information standards to support the delivery of health and social care services in Ireland are available on www.hiqa.ie. To take part in the consultation, please complete the short survey either online or in the feedback form by 5 pm on Tuesday, 2 August 2022.