The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today launched a six-week public consultation on the Draft National Standard for Hospital Discharge Information and is inviting feedback from members of the public, patients, families, carers, and all stakeholders in the health and social care sector.

The aim of the Draft National Standards for Hospital Discharge Information is to define the core set of data elements required when a patient is discharged from an acute hospital back to the primary healthcare setting, in order to provide continued safe quality care and support. Examples of data elements include reason for admission, treatments, medications and ongoing care plan following discharge from hospital. 

Findings of the 2024 National Inpatient Experience Survey Report indicate that patients’ experience of discharge from the acute hospital setting has improved in recent years, but the report identified areas for further improvement in hospital discharge; specifically, information relating to a patient’s condition and how to manage it following discharge, as well as medication. Comprehensive discharge information helps patients understand their follow-up care and prescribed medication, reducing the risk of complications and re-admission. It also empowers them to manage their health safely and confidently, together with their primary healthcare provider.

The National Standard for Hospital Discharge Information is being revised in response to developments in the health information landscape, including the establishment of a European Health Data Space, and the publication of the Health Information Bill in 2024, which provides for the creation of Digital Health Records for every patient in Ireland.

HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards, Rachel Flynn, said: “Accurate, relevant and timely health information is critical to providing safer, better care. A national standard for hospital discharge information supports the recording of consistent, high-quality data, enabling better decisions and smoother transitions for patients as they move between hospital and primary care services. By defining a core dataset for discharge summaries, the draft standard helps reduce duplication, prevent errors, and create efficiencies in time, administration and cost.”

HIQA is now welcoming feedback through an online questionnaire or by completing the consultation feedback form, which can be emailed to HIST@hiqa.ie. The consultation is open until 5pm on Wednesday 5 November 2025. The public consultation online survey can be found here.

Following the consultation, all submissions will be reviewed and will inform the development of the standard’s final version.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement 
085 805 5202 / mwhelan@hiqa.ie 

Notes to the editor:

• The Draft National Standard defines the key information elements, which should be shared when a patient is discharged from an acute hospital back to the care of their GP and other primary healthcare professionals. The standard applies to individuals of any age (children and adults) who are receiving care and treatment in a hospital, whether public or private.
• The revision has been informed by a review of evidence, input from a Standards Working Group, and ongoing work at European level, including the European Healthcare Network (EHN) Guideline for Hospital Discharge Report and the Xt-EHR Joint Action Project. These initiatives seek to strengthen interoperability and pave the way for the European Health Data Space Regulation across EU member states.
• HIQA’s remit under Section 8(1) of the Health Act includes setting standards for all aspects of health information and monitoring compliance.
• The Health Information Bill 2024 provides for the creation of Digital Health Records for every patient in Ireland. The European Health Data Space aims to facilitate secure sharing of health data across EU member states, supporting both individual care and research, policy and innovation.
• These developments will place additional requirements on organisations to manage information appropriately. Health information standards are fundamental to supporting standardisation in the collection, recording and sharing of health information to support the move from paper-based to digital systems. This means that health information can be shared in the most effective way possible in order to ensure a safe, high-quality service.