HSE launches digital health plan to transform the delivery of healthcare in Ireland
A new digital health plan to improve people’s health experiences in Ireland has been launched by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The ‘HSE Telehealth Roadmap 2024-2027: Building Blocks for the Embedding & Expansion of Telehealth’ was developed by the HSE National Telehealth Steering Committee to transform the delivery of healthcare in Ireland and launched at its ‘Better Together for Digital Healthcare’ conference.
Welcoming delegates, Loretto Grogan, HSE National Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer reflected on digital progress made so far and said: “The COVID-19 pandemic enabled momentum in digital health developments that may have otherwise taken years.
“It is crucial that we build on this, putting strong foundations in place to digitise, connect and transform services safely and securely to improve the outcomes, experience and safety for people accessing our health service.
“The potential benefits of telehealth are clear. For example, remote video and telephone consultations can reduce travel time, costs, emissions and time away from work, school, families and communities.
“Telehealth can also support timely intervention, reduce hospital admissions and facilitate early discharge through empowering patients with wearable technologies that can be monitored remotely by health teams.
“Now we have a strategic and coherent plan to ensure that telehealth is developed in an efficient, sustainable, safe manner. The Telehealth Roadmap identifies key building blocks which are critical to a firm foundation for telehealth in Ireland.”
The roadmap aims to ensure that the continued development of HSE Telehealth services nationally are safe, effective, efficient, scalable, sustainable and interoperable.
It also aims to empower, and improve the quality of life and care of patients by, where clinically appropriate, it will increase access to safe and effective remote video and/or phone consultations, reducing the need to travel to and from appointments.
Additionally, the roadmap will incorporate innovative technologies that will allow the clinical team to closely monitor their conditions from where they call home, reducing time spent in hospitals
A range of online supports and therapies provided by safe and trusted healthcare providers and partner agencies from where the patient calls home, is also included in the roadmap.
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Ossian Smyth TD, added: “Telehealth is core to the Sláintecare vision for healthcare in Ireland.
“It will help us integrate our health services, breaking down silos whilst growing capacity and enhancing the care provided to people.
“Telehealth advancements will ultimately help improve access, outcomes, and affordability for patients, by facilitating the right care to be delivered in the right place, at the right time by the right team.”
The Telehealth Roadmap is available at here.
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