Delays ongoing as HSE to replace IT system

The Health Service Executive has applied for funding to replace its laboratory IT system at Cork University Hospital, which crashed almost two weeks ago and remains out of service causing major delays in diagnostic services.

The system, out of action since August 16, is still not restored despite the HSE saying its ICT department was “working with the suppliers of the system to correct these technical issues as quickly as possible”.

Because the Laboratory Information Management System at CUH is centralised, Kerry General Hospital, Bantry General Hospital, and Mallow General Hospital are also affected, as well as the blood transfusion laboratory at Mercy University Hospital.

The glitch means pathology test results are not being processed electronically but must be completed manually by staff.

Patients contacting the Irish Examiner have reported major delays in treatment as well as cancelled appointments.

One patient said it was “like being back in the Dark Ages”.

“They have no computers and everything is back to paper,” said the patient. Her treatment was delayed as a result.

According to the HSE, the problem first arose on August 16, although some sources said staff had flagged concerns in relation to the IT system for some time prior to this.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said a business case “for the replacement and upgrade of the system has been finalised and has been put forward for approval”.

She said the “primary issue” was with the database and not the server.

GPs have already been notified by the HSE and asked not to send samples for testing to the hospitals. Urgent cases are being “prioritised”, the HSE said. However, it conceded that “some delays are being experienced for the results of samples classed as routine or non-urgent due to the system reverting to a manual process until the IT issue is resolved”.

The HSE said the laboratory service had implemented contingency arrangements “in order to continue to provide the required essential diagnostic services to the hospital departments, GPs and other community services”.