The Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has set out plans for the development of electronic records that combines data from health and social care.
The e-Health and Care Strategy incorporates a self-care portal, mobile apps and greater use of data analytics.
Up-to-date and complete information about patients at every point of care would increase the time that doctors, nurses, therapists and social workers have to spend with patients. A 15-minute per person per day increase in care time by reducing bureaucracy equates to over 1,000 additional care professionals, the document claimed.
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It would also allow the use health analytics to improve population heath and care planning, and help the region’s health and social care system to become ‘paperless’.
Health Minister Simon Hamilton said the new e-Health and Care Strategy is “our vision of what is possible in Northern Ireland”.
“I have directed £1million from the Transformation Fund to be used to progress a number of areas within the strategy over the next 12 months.”
