Press Releases 2014

Public feedback is being sought on two draft national guidelines for health technology assessment, published today by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Electronic prescribing and the safety of electronic communication between GPs and healthcare services has been improved with the publication today of an update to the Health Information and Quality Authority’s General Practice Messaging Standard.

The GP Messaging Standard specifies the structure and content of electronic messages. It aims to standardise the transmission of these electronic messages between general practices, secondary care and out-of-hours care, leading to safer better health information in Ireland.

Health research ethics is on the agenda today at an information briefing to be hosted by the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Department of Health.

Over 150 people involved in the health and social care research sector are attending the research ethics briefing which will outline national and EU developments in the area of ethical approval for health research. The forthcoming changes are to be implemented in Ireland under the supervision of HIQA.

A new report published today by the Health Information and Quality Authority has identified progress in the way in which services within the University of Limerick Hospitals group are being governed and organised. However, it also highlights a number of patient safety risks in the hospital group which must be addressed as a priority.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) today announced that its Director of Health Information and Deputy Chief Executive, Professor Jane Grimson, has agreed to take on the position of Acting Chief Executive.

 Professor Grimson said, “I am delighted to have been asked to act as Acting Chief Executive of HIQA and to continue and build on the work of Tracey Cooper over the past eight years.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has today published Principles of Good Practice in Medication Reconciliation to offer guidance to healthcare professionals aimed at reducing medication errors.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published a review of international regulators and quality improvement agencies which explores how these organisations use information in their work to improve health and social care services in their jurisdictions.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has today launched national guidelines on stakeholder engagement in health technology assessment (HTA) following a period of public consultation.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has today confirmed that the Board of the Authority has agreed to a request from the Minister for Health to undertake an independent investigation into the services provided by the Health Service Executive at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. This investigation will build on the findings made by the Chief Medical Officer in his recently completed review. The investigation will include an assessment of the patient safety culture at Portlaoise.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has today published updated health technology assessment (HTA) guidelines that assist decision makers in evaluating the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of health technologies. HTA can ensure that the resources available are used as effectively as possible. The guidelines are aimed at improving the accuracy of HTAs undertaken for the Irish healthcare system.