T
he HSE Health Passport helps people with an intellectual disability to communicate and express their unique needs when in a health care setting. It is now available as an app to make it even easier for people. Kathleen McBride, whose son Martin has intellectual disability, said their experience of using the Health Passport had been ‘very positive’. “When my son Martin who has an intellectual disability, was sent to the Emergency Department he had his Health Passport with him. It was of great help to both us and the medical profession as his files are not available on arrival. The information on his Health Passport allowed treatment to begin immediately as Martin was then diagnosed with pneumonia,” explained Kathleen. “It also gave important information such as to put drip in Martin’s left side and to take his temperature on his right side as in a stressful situation we forget to mention these important details. The doctor that attended Martin thought the Health Passport was a great idea and was grateful that all his important information was at hand.” The Health Passport app is funded by the Department of Health through the Sláintecare Integration Fund. One of the aims of the Sláintecare Integration Fund is to test and scale innovative new ways of providing care. This digital technology will ensure the patient voice is paramount, delivering a more accessible positive care experience. The five sections contained within the app include: All about me; Medical History; Communication; Looking after me, and Keeping me safe and happy. The app helps healthcare staff to get to know all about the abilities and needs of people with an Intellectual Disability who come into contact with a Healthcare Setting enabling them to provide better safer care by providing reasonable adjustments before undertaking any assessment, examination or treatment of people with Intellectual Disability. The development of the app was expedited as a direct result of COVID-19. It is well evidenced in the research literature that people with intellectual disability have more adverse health outcomes than their general population counterparts. Niamh Walsh, PhD Researcher, said, “We have been using the paperbased HSE Health Passport since 2017 but, with the support of Sláintecare, we were able to develop the app version which will enable further spread and scale and accessibility of the HSE Health Passport to those who need it, never has this been more urgent than during the pandemic.” Prof Mac MacLachlan, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, described the app as an “excellent tool’ that enables people with intellectual disabilities and others with communication difficulties to exercise their human right to access quality services and supports across the health and social care sector. The Passport puts people with disabilities in the digital space and ensures that they are active participants in their services and supports.”
The HSE Health Passport ID app is available on IOS and Android.
SAFE AND APPY Health Passport ensures patient voice is always heard
HEALTH MATTERS SPRING 2022 | 43
043_HSE Health Matters_Health Passport.indd 43
16/03/2022 12:57
