The Irish Patients’ Association has raised concerns over the lack of a national electronic patient record system, which is forcing thousands of patients to navigate a complex process to access their own health records.
Currently, patients in Ireland must make legal requests to obtain their medical records, often from multiple sources. This fragmented approach is not only cumbersome for patients but also places an unnecessary burden on healthcare providers.
The association argues that a centralized electronic system would streamline this process, providing easier access for patients and improving overall healthcare efficiency. Such a system would align with international standards, where many countries have already implemented similar solutions.
Despite the clear benefits, progress towards developing a national system has been slow, with various technical and bureaucratic challenges cited as obstacles. The call for urgent action continues as the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly digitalized.
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