Ireland races to meet EU digital health data rules

Ireland faces an uphill task to align with the EU’s new European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation, now in force across all member states. Within five years, digital health records must be in place nationwide, yet Ireland’s systems remain fragmented and siloed. This regulation demands unified digital health records, secure cross-border data sharing, and robust supervisory bodies by 2027. The upcoming Health Information Bill underpins these changes, mandating patient records to be shared swiftly and securely while balancing data protection and clinician workloads.

The HSE’s roadmap calls for €1 billion annual investment until 2030 to overhaul health data systems, roll out electronic health records, and build a centralised shared care record. A new HSE Health App has launched, enabling patients to view self-declared medications and state scheme prescriptions, with broader services planned. While the shift promises integrated, patient-centred care and stronger public health data, clinicians warn of extra pressures on already strained workforces.

This transformation is not just an IT upgrade – it is a system-wide risk management challenge demanding immediate investment, workforce readiness, and airtight cybersecurity to maintain public trust.

Read the full article to understand the regulatory deadlines and investment risks.