The initiative will see: the roll-out this year of a patient app including medical histories and records; launch next year of a Shared Care Record integrating patient's journey through different health services; and the longer-term deployment of Electronic Health Records.

Minister Donnelly said: ‘This Digital Health Framework for Ireland (2024 - 2030) sets out a clear ambition for the future. A future that harnesses the power of data, digital technology, and innovation, to widen access to health and social care services, provide improved affordable and equitable care, better patient safety and greater productivity.'

The framework is designed to:

·         outline the government's vision for a modern, patient-centred, and sustainable health service that uses the latest digital technology to enable the delivery of universal healthcare, improve the quality of care, promote health and wellbeing, enhance population health, expand capacity, increase efficiency and productivity, and reduce costs

·         provide a guide for decision-making, and investment in digital health, to ensure Ireland is at the forefront of the global digital health revolution

·         provide a clear step-by-step roadmap for accelerating the transition to a fully integrated national digital health ecosystem.Minister Donnelly added: ‘Digitising services across health and social care is a priority for myself and my department. Through successive budgets, Government has consistently increased both capital and revenue funding for digital health. The health service now has an ambitious forward-looking digital pipeline to deliver on the vision of this strategic framework.'