Shaping the Future of Healthcare: The Power of Data Standards and SNOMED CT

13/02/2025

The Digital for Care – Transforming Healthcare through Data Standards, including SNOMED CT conference took place on 15th January 2025 at The Gibson Hotel, Dublin, drawing over 300 in-person attendees and more than 150 virtual participants, the event brought together key stakeholders from the healthcare and technology sectors to explore data standardisation, interoperability, and digital transformation in healthcare.

Theresa Barry, Data and Clinical Terminology Architecture Lead (HSE), opened the conference by highlighting the importance of collaboration and data standards in enhancing healthcare data sharing. She emphasised the role of standardised clinical terminology in aligning with National and EU legislation, ensuring consistency and accuracy in patient care.

The conference explored the evolving landscape of digital healthcare, focusing on how data standards, particularly SNOMED CT, are critical to improving healthcare interoperability, patient care, and regulatory compliance. Experts across healthcare, technology, and policy shared insights into how Ireland is shaping its health data infrastructure to align with both national needs and European frameworks.

The Importance of Standardised Clinical Terminology

A central theme of the conference was the role of structured clinical terminology, such as SNOMED CT, in enabling seamless healthcare data exchange. By implementing a common language across all healthcare systems, patient records can be accurately shared, interpreted, and utilised across various care settings. Standardised terminology ensures data consistency, which is crucial for clinical decision-making, patient safety, and healthcare analytics. Additionally, compliance with national and EU legislation requires the use of unified terminologies to ensure interoperability between different systems.

Digital Transformation in Healthcare

The Digital for Care framework (20242030) was introduced as Ireland’s strategic roadmap for advancing healthcare through digital means. This framework prioritises patient-centric care, ensuring that healthcare services are more accessible, efficient, and data-driven. However, a significant challenge is overcoming data fragmentation within the current system. A key focus of the discussion was on streamlining data governance processes to support interoperability, while also addressing regulatory compliance and patient data security.

European Health Data Space (EHDS) and Ireland’s Health Information Bill

A major policy-driven discussion centered around Ireland’s upcoming Health Information Bill and its alignment with the European Health Data Space (EHDS). EHDS aims to create a unified health data framework across Europe, allowing for better cross-border healthcare and research. Ireland’s role in this initiative involves strengthening governance structures, ensuring secure data exchange, and establishing a digital health authority within the HSE. The bill will set out governance rules on how health data is shared and used, both within the country and with European partners.

Data Standardisation and Strategy

During Fran Thompson’s address at the conference he marked an important milestone with the announcement of the establishment of the Chief Data and Analytics Office and the appointment of a Chief Data and Analytics Officer - Tom Laffan.

This office will oversee Ireland’s Data Management Program, which aims to consolidate data policies, improve data quality, and drive a national standard for healthcare data management. The program will focus on ensuring that healthcare providers, from primary care to hospital systems, work within a unified digital framework, eliminating inconsistencies in data collection and reporting.

Enhancing Technology Patient Care Through

A key message throughout the conference was that real-time access to accurate patient data can significantly improve healthcare delivery. The discussions highlighted innovative models such as virtual wards and community-based care, which allow patients to receive medical supervision outside of traditional hospital settings. Integrated digital health systems are essential to making these models work, as they enable seamless data sharing between healthcare professionals, reducing hospital admissions and improving patient outcomes.

Interoperability Initiatives and Patient Self-Management

Several digital health initiatives were showcased, including myHealth@EU, the Shared Care Record, and the HSE App. These tools are designed to empower patients with access to their health records while enhancing communication between healthcare providers. The goal is to improve self-management of chronic diseases, streamline referrals and prescriptions, and ensure that critical patient information is available across different healthcare settings, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

AI and Automation in Healthcare

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in healthcare was a key discussion point. AI is being increasingly used to support clinical decision-making, predict hospital demand, and automate administrative tasks. The conference highlighted global examples of AI applications in healthcare, including:

AI-driven medication management to reduce prescription errors.
Predictive analytics for identifying at risk patients, such as those with chronic conditions.
Automation in clinical administration to streamline workflows and free up resources for patient care.
The importance of data standards in AI.

However, ethical considerations were also emphasised, particularly in relation to data privacy, transparency, and the need for human oversight when deploying AI solutions in healthcare.

Health Information Standards and Data Quality

Ensuring high-quality, standardised health data is a fundamental requirement for both national and EU regulatory compliance. The conference highlighted Ireland’s preparedness for the European Health Data Space, which will introduce stricter datasharing regulations. Discussions focused on the National Hospital Discharge Summary and the National Demographic Standard, both of which are being revised to improve data accuracy and usability. The Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) panel was also introduced as a mechanism to ensure that patient perspectives are considered in the development of health data policies.

Data as a Catalyst for Innovation

Data was recognised as a powerful enabler of innovation in healthcare. Fireside chats throughout the event explored how high-quality, accessible data can drive advancements in medical research, regulatory compliance, and patientcentered care. One key takeaway was that collaboration between clinicians, policymakers, and technologists is essential to maximising the value of healthcare data while maintaining privacy and security.

Global Collaboration in Data Standards

International experts from organisations such as SNOMED International, GS1, HL7, and OpenEHR shared their experiences in building integrated healthcare systems through data standardisation. One of the main topics was the role of barcodes in medication tracking and supply chain management, ensuring patient safety through accurate data capture. The discussion reinforced that adopting global standards is crucial for ensuring interoperability across different healthcare jurisdictions.

Key Takeaways from the Conference:

Data standardisation is essential – Without structured clinical terminology like SNOMED CT, healthcare systems will struggle to achieve full interoperability.
Ireland’s digital transformation is accelerating – The Digital for Care framework and Health Information Bill are paving the way for a more connected and efficient healthcare system.
Interoperability initiatives will empower patients – Programs like myHealth@ EU and the Shared Care Record will give patients better access to their own health information while ensuring clinicians have up-to-date data.
AI and automation will reshape healthcare – AI is already playing a critical role in predictive analytics and administrative automation, but ethical considerations must be addressed.
European collaboration is key – Ireland’s engagement with the European Health Data Space and international data standards organisations will ensure long-term success in digital healthcare transformation.
Data Capability Management Maturity Assessment (DCAM) was highlighted including various data management frameworks, baseline existing capabilities, determine capability gaps, and define a set of priority objectives and initiatives based on our most critical gaps.

This conference provided a comprehensive roadmap for the future of healthcare data in Ireland, highlighting that collaboration, innovation, and adherence to international data standards will be key to transforming healthcare delivery.

You can view here a short video featuring some of the photographs from the event.

Speakers at the Event

• Theresa Barry, Data and Clinical Terminology Architecture Lead HSE.

• Derek Tierney, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health.

• Muírís O’Connor, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health.

• Fran Thompson, HSE Chief Information Officer.

• Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE.

• Kathryn Kissane, Deputy Delivery Director, Standards and Shared Care Records, HSE.

• Niamh Crossan, General Manager, IIS, HSE.

• Prof. Richard Green, Chief Clinical Information Officer, HSE.

• Loretto Grogan, National Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer, HSE.

• Niall Halliday, National Information Officer, HSCP. Clinical.