Registries in health and social care are organised systems that collect, analyse and disseminate data and information on a group of people defined by a particular disease, condition, exposure or health-related service. This data can be used to improve medical care, study disease patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. 

The registry landscape in Ireland has previously been described as fragmented, and calls have been made for a more co-ordinated approach at a national level as well as greater investment in digital health infrastructures to support the secondary use of health data in Ireland. Secondary use of health data is an area of increasing importance, with the European Health Data Space Regulation entering into force in March 2025. 

HIQA has undertaken an evidence review to explore how other countries approach registries in health and social care with a particular focus on governance arrangements, the maturity of systems, approaches to prioritisation and plans for the future. The review was requested by the Department of Health to inform national policy in this area.  
Findings from this review will be used to inform the development of a set of prioritisation criteria and a roadmap for the future of Ireland’s registries in health and social care.