With a general election expected to be called for the end of November, it appears unlikely that the Health Information Bill will be presented to the Dáil before the government is dissolved.

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Simon Harris conceded that the Mental Health Act will not pass before the dissolution of the Dáil and the future of the Occupied Territories Bill is uncertain. The Health Information Bill could be next.

The legislation was published in the Dáil on July 19 and passed second stage on September 25. The next stage is committee.

The Department Health has confirmed to Pulse+IT that this has not yet been scheduled.

However, a spokesperson said: “Department of Health officials will continue to prioritise this work in the period ahead to ensure the Bill progresses as quickly as possible.”

The purpose of the legislation is to provide a robust legislative framework for the processing of health information. If passed, it will allow for the collection, use and sharing of health information, both for care and treatment and wider health service goals, such as clinical research and public health management.

The legislation is essential to the creation of a national electronic health record and the roll-out of the national digital health strategy.

Under the new bill, all healthcare providers will have a ‘duty to share’ patient health data. The legislation will be applicable to all health service providers across public, private and voluntary settings. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Bill could result in legal action.

The legislation will also support Ireland’s obligations under the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation. The categories of health information in the proposed electronic health record align with those set out in the EHDS regulation.