Skip to main content
Business Operations
Back to News
1747821759875

What the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Means for Irish Healthcare: FAQs Now Live

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) represents a transformative shift in how health data is accessed, shared, and governed across the EU. For Irish healthcare professionals, patients, and system leaders, this new regulation (EHDS Regulation 2025/327) lays the foundation for better care delivery, empowered patient rights, and more effective use of health data—both within Ireland and across Europe.

To support understanding and readiness, we are sharing a comprehensive FAQ document covering the key aspects of the EHDS and what it means for the HSE and healthcare staff. You can find it on the European Health Data Space page under MyHealth@EU.

What is the EHDS?

The EHDS aims to:

  • Empower patients with greater control over their electronic health data—including access, portability, correction, and the ability to restrict or opt out of data sharing;
  • Ensure healthcare professionals can securely access up-to-date patient information for better care, particularly in cross-border settings;
  • Establish a regulated, secure environment for secondary use of health data for research, innovation, policymaking, and public health planning;
  • Standardise EHR systems and wellness apps across the EU for improved interoperability and patient safety.

 

How Will This Impact the Health Service Executive?

The HSE, through MyHealth@EU and aligned digital health infrastructure, will play a critical role in implementing the EHDS. Ireland’s Digital Health Authority will be tasked with ensuring Irish patients and clinicians have access to EHDS-compliant services—enabling secure data exchange, aligning with EU interoperability standards, and establishing safeguards for both primary and secondary data use.

By 2029–2031, Irish healthcare providers will need to ensure systems can support the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format (EEHRxF), enabling seamless sharing of patient summaries, prescriptions, test results, and more.

What’s Covered in the FAQs?

The newly published FAQ document breaks down the EHDS into digestible sections for various audiences, including:

  • Patients: Understanding rights to access, correct, restrict, or share their data;
  • Healthcare professionals: Benefits of health professional access services and authentication requirements;
  • EHR system vendors: Interoperability, logging standards, testing, and CE marking requirements;
  • Health data users and researchers: How data can be requested and used ethically under strict governance;
  • Public authorities: Roles of Digital Health Authorities, Health Data Access Bodies (HDABs), and cross-border collaboration through HealthData@EU.

 

Why This Matters

For the Irish health system, the EHDS is a critical enabler of Digital for Care 2030, the HSE’s roadmap for building safer, more connected and patient-centred care through digital health. These FAQs provide clarity on timelines, responsibilities, and practical implications—helping teams prepare for the coming changes with confidence.