The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is carrying out a National Engagement on Digital Health and Social Care in partnership with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The engagement is being conducted in the context of EU targets where the public will have electronic access to their medical records by 2030 and it will inform the forthcoming Health Information Bill. In addition, under the Sláintecare health reform programme, the Government has goals around using digital technologies in health and social care. 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many accelerated changes in how people interact with health and social care services. People booked vaccination appointments online, recorded positive tests through the HSE website, or had their vaccination certificate on smart phones. Health professionals started consulting with the people they treat or care for on video or telephone calls rather than having in-person appointments. In addition, the cyber-attack in the HSE brought about potential changes in attitudes to eHealth information technologies. 

It is important to seek the views of the public and professionals in health and social care on these changes. Therefore, the National Engagement on Digital Health and Social Care aims to understand the opinions and attitudes of the Irish public and professionals in relation to the digitalisation of health and social care.