We want to hear your feedback on our draft recommendations on developing and delivering ICT enablement to improve services for older people.
We have developed Draft Recommendations on the ICT Enablement of Older Persons Services for public consultation. The recommendations are being developed in response to the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel’s call for a dedicated IT system for older persons’ services.
Given the broader transformation of healthcare already happening under the Sláintecare Programme, and the risk of creating another silo through the addition of another system, these draft recommendations look at the initiatives and programmes currently supporting the broader ICT enablement of health service delivery. They also identify gaps and outline measures to ensure optimum ICT enablement of older persons’ services.
Our Director of Health Information and Standards, Rachel Flynn, said: “Infrastructure to enable the sharing of information is underdeveloped in Ireland but is necessary to support integrated care, as set out in Sláintecare. We have looked at the wide mix of services that are delivered to older people to understand how information can be shared safely and effectively, among the professionals providing that care. Some of these services are provided by the HSE and others are outside the HSE, such as private nursing homes, and GPs.
“We believe national infrastructure should be implemented to enable the sharing of information not just for older people but for all people using health and social care. This needs to be established with clear governance and a clear strategy, along with the other measures outlined in the draft recommendations.”
The draft recommendations were informed by engagement with an advisory group, representing stakeholder organisations across the domains of older persons services and their ICT enablement. The Need to Reform Ireland’s Health Information System also informs the recommendations significantly, providing a national perspective through which we can view the current situation and governance structures.
We want to hear from patients, their families and carers, professionals, organisations, and the general public. All feedback received will be analysed and used to inform the final recommendations before they are submitted to the Minister for Health.
Read the Draft Recommendations for ICT Enablement of Older Persons Services on our website here. To take part in the consultation, please complete the online survey or the feedback form by 5pm on Friday, 29 April 2022.