The Health Service Executive (HSE) is about to begin procurement of a national electronic health record (EHR), to deliver an integrated digital health record for every patient in Ireland.
Currently, Ireland’s patient records are fragmented and largely paper-based, meaning that clinicians often lack access to real-time data and patients cannot easily access their own health information.
The EHR is intended to improve safety, reduce duplication, and better coordinated care across hospitals, GPs, and community services.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, health minister, said: “This is a landmark step in delivering a modern, connected health service that puts patients first.
“The National Electronic Health Record programme will be central to patients receiving safer, faster, and more integrated care, supporting clinicians and improving outcomes for everyone.
“Electronic health records for patients was identified by Sláintecare as a key enabler for the reform and modernisation of the Irish health service and will ensure Ireland meets the highest international standards for patient safety and data security.”
The HSE will begin the vendor shortlisting process for the national EHR, with a phased rollout across all health regions following completion of the tender process.
Bernard Gloster, chief executive at HSE, said: “The national EHR is central to our vision for a digitally enabled health service.
“It will transform how care is delivered by giving clinicians the tools they need to provide timely, coordinated care and empowering patients with access to their own health information.
“This investment represents a seminal change in how our healthcare services will interact with patients long into the future.
“The benefits from an EHR system are many and impact on access, safety, quality of outcome and patient power.”
Meanwhile, more than 900,000 patients in Ireland are now able to view their appointments in the HSE Health App.
More than 122,000 people are registered for the app and there have been more than 200,000 downloads since its launch on 25 February 2025.
Ireland’s shared care record programme will also continue to scale this year, with the next release scheduled for April 2026 planned to better connect patient information across services.
Jack Chambers TD, public expenditure minister, said: “Health digitalisation is a key priority. This programme has the potential to positively transform delivery of health care services for patients and healthcare workers.
“This is another example of the government’s commitment to digitalisation and to delivering key public infrastructure faster and more cost effectively in the interest of people and communities.”