UK collaborates with Ireland on digital innovation in health care

The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) has partnered with the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) to promote digital innovation in Ireland.

The aim is to accelerate digital transformation in the two countries. Ireland’s HSE will be able to draw on the UK’s digital health expertise, as outlined in the DIT’s Digital Health Playbook, to help it with its ambition to be a digital health leader in Europe by 2025.

Hassan Chaudhury, global digital health specialist for Healthcare UK, said: “The DIT Digital Health Playbook contains a unique 10-part taxonomy focusing on needs. It articulates the exportable strengths that the UK has in health teach, and showcases those that stand out for being tried and tested and, more importantly, making a difference across one of the most complex health systems in the world, during its most challenging time.”

Ten UK digital health companies who feature in the playbook have pitched their solutions to the evaluation team, which means they may receive investment from the HSE.

Stephen Donnelly, minister for health in Ireland said it was more important than ever “to learn from each other and to build links between industry and our health services that will ultimately benefit patients in both our health systems”.

Using technology to keep people well and at home

Professor Martin Curley, director of digital transformation at the HSE, attended the virtual trade mission at which the announcement was. He said: “Our digital strategy is ambitious, yet determined. ‘Stay Left, Shift Left’ is about the use of technology to move people as quickly as possible from an acute, to a community, to a home setting. In forming this collaboration, we are looking to tap into the digital innovation and expertise that is out there that can do this, and can do this quickly.”

The HSE’s ‘Stay Left, Shift Left’ digital transformation policy aims to use technology to keep people well and at home. It is underpinned by the Sláintecare health policy, which is designed to create a universal single-tier health and social care system in Ireland.

Peter Harnett, trade adviser at the British Embassy, described the agreement as an “exciting opportunity to foster a UK/Ireland digital health collaboration.” He added that it “not only raises the profile of both countries’ digital transformation experiences but showcases the UK sector capabilities while also inspiring UK and Irish organisations to look to their nearest neighbour for new digital health partnerships.”