Minister Donnelly affirms commitment to digital health infrastructure as he announces €3.6 million in EU funding
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 28 December 2023
- Last updated on: 28 December 2023
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has affirmed Ireland’s commitment to delivery of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) through an announcement of investment in digital health infrastructure.
The EHDS will be the first common European data space delivered under the European Data Strategy. It is designed to increase access to and support the flow of health data for the benefit of patients, healthcare providers and researchers.
The Department of Health has been awarded €3.6 million in EU funding to support establishment of a Health Data Access Body (HDAB). The HDAB will connect researchers and policymakers with anonymised health datasets enabling insights which will improve the delivery healthcare services in Ireland.
The grant-funded project has a total budget of €6 million (€2.4 million national contribution and €3.6 million in EU funding) and will be delivered in collaboration between the Department of Health, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Health Research Board (HRB).
Minister Donnelly said:
"I am delighted to announce that my department has been awarded EU funding of €3.6 million for EHDS implementation. This funding decision enables us to develop the infrastructure needed for a health data access service in Ireland. Better analysis of health data facilitates powerful insights into how services are delivered nationally and supports research on new innovative treatments."
The EHDS will:
- provide faster and easier access to personal electronic health records in Ireland and across the EU
- empower individuals with increased digital access and control of personal health data
- develop a secure, electronic platform for healthcare providers to access patient data across EU for the purposes of improved patient care
EU member state ambassadors have agreed on the European Council’s mandate for new regulation which will enable the establishment of the EHDS. Discussions have now begun between the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission to agree on the progression of this regulation.
To support implementation of the EHDS, the Department of Health is progressing a national Health Information Bill.
Notes
Read the text of the EHDS regulation.
The European Data Strategy proposes nine Common EU Data Spaces of which Health will be the first. The others are data spaces for Industry & Manufacturing, Agriculture, Finance, Mobility, Green Deal, Energy, Public Administration, Skills.