The HSE’s All-Islands Health Virtual Care Programme is being rolled out nationally. The HSE, in partnership with the University of Galway’s Health Innovation via Engineering (HIVE) Lab, has announced the national launch of the All-Islands Health Virtual Care roadmap delivery programmes, to ensure equitable, reliable access to healthcare for residents across Ireland’s 12 offshore islands.

The programme will provide remote access to GP-led primary care, specialist hospital consultations, chronic disease management, and specialist gerontological care, directly from each island’s health centre.

Over the next two years, the HSE will enable a universal digital health infrastructure across all 12 islands. Services will include virtual GP clinics; remote outpatient and specialist reviews, including cardiology, respiratory, hypertension and specialist gerontological care assessments; and ensure integration of chronic disease management programmes.

Minister’s comment

The All-Islands Health Virtual Care Programme was initiated under the Clare Island Home Health project, with support from CURAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices. The pilot saw telemedicine embedded in clinical pathways on Inishturk, Inishbofin, and Clare Island. The pilot demonstrated the operational and clinical effectiveness of virtual care and telemedicine for island communities. 

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said: “The extension of virtual care to all 12 offshore islands will ensure residents receive care as close to their homes as possible, strengthening equity of access and advancing our commitment to a health service that delivers consistent, high-quality care regardless of geography.”

Access “challenges”

Speaking at the launch, Damien McCallion, HSE Chief Technology and Transformation Officer and Deputy CEO, said: “Ireland’s offshore islands are home to 2,700 residents, with 23 per cent aged 65 or older. Many islands face weather‑dependent transport links that routinely disrupt access to essential healthcare. The All-Islands Health Virtual Care Programme directly responds to the persistent access challenges, ensures the right care, in the right place across our islands.”

Professor Derek O’Keeffe, Professor of Medical Device Technology at University of Galway and Consultant Endocrinologist at Galway University Hospitals, said: “The All Islands Health project represents the best of translational research. A clinical problem was identified and through academic study, innovation and multistakeholder engagement, is now scaling to a national healthcare solution, which will directly improve patient care.”

Solus go-live

Meanwhile, the Solus endoscopy reporting system (ERS) at Sligo University Hospital (SUH) go-live was delivered in a phased manner, beginning with gastroenterology services and followed by respiratory services.

The implementation required structured readiness activities, including system configuration, user training, testing, and validation. The HSE said close collaboration between the Endoscopy Programme, Technology and Transformation, local hospital teams, and the vendor ensured a coordinated and well-managed deployment.

A key success factor was the active involvement of local clinical and operational staff in Sligo UH. Consultants, nursing staff, administrative teams, and clinical engineering colleagues provided valuable input through workshops, site visits, and process mapping sessions.

Their insights informed system configuration, report templates, image capture workflows, and user access models, ensuring the system reflected real-world practice while supporting national standardisation objectives,” the HSE said in a statement.