Patients have died or suffered unnecessarily long hospital stays due to the HSE’s lack of digital transformation and use of electronic health records, according to a former HSE employee.
The HSE was described as lagging “decades behind” in terms of its adoption of technology, and is left working with “Victorian-like tools”.
'Ascent on Mount Everest'
Maynooth University Professor of Innovation Martin Curley was the HSE’s head of digital transformation until January of this year, however, he resigned, comparing his work to an ascent on Mount Everest.
Mr Curley said he thought he “had died and gone to hell” when he began working within the HSE.
Speaking at an Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) conference, Mr Curley stressed that Ireland is now in a unique position, being so far behind other countries yet could now get ahead if there is a will to do so.
He said the use of electronic health records, and moving to use innovative technology would reduce risk and improve healthcare efficiency.
“I think we can safely say many people have died, many people have had extended stays in terrible circumstances because the doctors and nurses don’t have access to the information they need to make the right decision.”
Data access
IIPOSI’s Derick Mitchell said such records would span all hospitals and have a complete history of a patient’s medical data, which he argued patients should also have access to.
However, consultants raised concerns that certain information may cause high levels of anxiety among patients who do not have a clinician present to provide context or knowledge.
IHCA Secretary General Martin Varley said the HSE requires significant investment for a digital transition in the upcoming budget saying “we are decades behind where we should be”.
Despite the proposal for electronic health records being sent to the Department of Public Expenditure in 2016, “nothing has come out of it,” he said.
The plans for the introduction of electronic health records at a cost of almost €900m were stalled in 2019, with the Government refusing to fund the transition until after the new children’s hospital is complete.
Since then, EHRs have been used in a small number of hospitals.
Speaking at the conference, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald outlined plans for an Irish NHS within two terms of Governments.
Ms McDonald said digital transformation must be at the heart of this modern vision for healthcare in Ireland.
“I don’t need to tell you that the HSE is a decade behind where it needs to be in terms of IT systems. This digital deficit holds us back and impacts the delivery of care. Digital integration across health records, waiting lists and financial management is absolutely essential.”
Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin will prioritise the modernisation of digital systems “so that we not only catch up but also begin to take the lead in what is a necessary technological transformation for our health service.” Ms McDonald also promised 2,400 additional hospital beds over five years.
