Digital for Care 2024–2030: How to Prepare for Ireland’s EHR Transformation
Written by: Drew Duffy, Founder/CEO
Digital for Care 2024–2030: Preparing Irish Healthcare for EHR Transformation
Ireland’s health service is standing at a critical turning point. With the rollout of the Digital for Care 2024–2030 strategy, the country is moving decisively toward a unified, digital-first health system. For GPs, consultants, hospital administrators, and allied professionals alike, this marks a shift that’s been long awaited—and one that requires practical preparation, not just policy.
The ambition is clear: a connected, secure, and people-centred health service. But to make that vision a reality, practices must begin planning today for the changes tomorrow will demand.
What Is Digital for Care All About?
At its heart, Digital for Care is about enabling a single, integrated health record for every person in Ireland. Backed by the HSE and aligned with Sláintecare’s commitment to universal access, the strategy outlines:
Full-scale rollout of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) – ensuring every interaction, from GP visits to hospital stays, contributes to one joined-up patient story.
Stronger digital infrastructure – with secure national platforms, improved connectivity, and consistent data standards.
Greater empowerment for patients – including online access to records, test results, appointments, and health history.
Robust cybersecurity and governance – protecting patient information through strict data handling and system oversight.
It’s not just about technology—it’s about improving care outcomes, reducing duplication, and making the health service more responsive and resilient.
Getting Ready: Practical Steps for Irish Practices and Providers
Ireland’s health system has long relied on a patchwork of paper files, local systems, and workarounds. The coming years will change that—but only for those who prepare. Here’s how to get ahead of the curve:
1. Assess Your Current Documentation Habits
Take a proper look at how records are managed in your clinic or service:
Are charts clear, complete, and consistent?
Do you use standard terms or codes?
Is there room to improve the way notes are recorded or shared?
An honest review now will make future data migration much smoother—and safer.
2. Bring Your Team Along Early
EHRs don’t just change the screens—they change how people work. The earlier you involve staff, the better:
Host informal sessions to explain what’s coming
Identify staff who can act as digital champions
Tailor training based on roles—from front desk to clinical
Building buy-in now helps avoid resistance down the road.
3. Redesign Workflows with Purpose
Don’t simply digitise what’s broken. Take this as an opportunity to:
Simplify intake procedures
Clarify referral and follow-up steps
Automate common tasks where possible
Less paper doesn’t mean less care—it means more time to deliver it.
4. Stay Ahead of Compliance Expectations
HIQA, the DPC, and future regulators will rightly demand proper stewardship of health data. Start laying the groundwork:
Review who has access to what
Draft or update your data protection policies
Get familiar with cybersecurity basics—especially if you're relying on cloud systems
Doing this now protects your patients and your practice.
5. Think About the Patient Experience
Patients will be able to view their own records, receive appointment reminders, and access care info digitally. Are you ready to:
Support older patients unfamiliar with tech?
Handle digital access requests?
Integrate portal tools into your day-to-day?
Putting the patient at the centre of digital planning is what will set great providers apart.
A Word From Experience
For over 20 years, I’ve helped healthcare practices make the leap from paper to digital—long before “digital transformation” became the buzzword it is today. From independent GP surgeries to growing outpatient clinics, I’ve seen it all: systems that worked, systems that failed, and teams that found their rhythm by focusing on purpose over platforms.
What I’ve learned is this: success doesn’t come from software alone. It comes from understanding how people work, where the bottlenecks are, and what really matters to patient care. That’s where true process improvement lives—and it’s what I bring to every project I support.
So if you’re preparing your service for this next era of Irish healthcare, I’d be honoured to walk the journey with you.
Final Thoughts
The Digital for Care strategy represents more than a systems upgrade—it’s a chance to finally bring cohesion, clarity, and modern tools to the people who need them most: frontline healthcare staff and the communities they serve.
Ireland has the talent, the heart, and the will. Now we just need the right preparation.
Let’s build a digital health service that reflects the values we hold close: care, connection, and community.
-Drew
