Catalogue of National Health Information Sources in Ireland
30 July 2010

The Health Information and Quality Authority today published a comprehensive catalogue of health information sources. The catalogue will increase awareness about the purpose and content of these sources and how the data can be accessed. The publication of the catalogue will also identify any gaps or inconsistencies in health information.

Professor Jane Grimson, Director of Health Information with the Authority said, “Health is information-intensive, generating huge volumes of data every day. It is estimated that up to 30% of the total health budget may be spent one way or another on handling information, collecting it, looking for it, storing it. It is therefore imperative that information is managed in the most effective way possible in order to ensure a high quality, safe service.”

“The current Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Ireland’s health and social care sector is highly fragmented with major gaps and silos of information which prevents the safe, effective transfer of information. This results in unnecessary duplication and the waste of valuable resources. There is an urgent need to develop an integrated approach to health information based on standards and best practice that will equip patients and providers with reliable and accurate information to make choices. The publication of this Catalogue is a step towards the development of these standards and is part of the ongoing work of the Authority.

Read the press release