Ireland’s DiSCRE Implementation and the Future of Social Care

DiSCRE (Digital Social Care Records Evaluation) is a structured research initiative that originated in the UK, designed to explore how digital record-keeping can improve outcomes in adult social care. Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), it focuses on evaluating the impact of digital care records in real-world care settings, and how such tools affect the quality of care, staff workflows, and economic outcomes. 

While the programme began in England, its implications are now being explored in Ireland. This is a timely development, considering Ireland’s need to modernise digital infrastructure across its health and social care sectors. The implementation of DiSCRE within the Irish system reflects a broader ambition, which is to align with best-in-class digital standards seen in the UK and to accelerate eHealth reforms in line with the EU Digital Decade targets. 

Despite global recognition as a tech-savvy nation, Ireland has historically struggled to bring that same innovation into public health and social care. A 2024 report from TASC (Think-Tank for Action on Social Change) revealed that Ireland is significantly behind on electronic health record adoption, with just 11.4% progress toward the EU’s 2030 digital health targets, meaning they rank last among EU countries.

Meanwhile, the UK has surged ahead. Through robust funding and policy incentives, including the Digitising Social Care program and widespread rollouts of Digital Social Care Records (DSCRs), the UK government is already seeing measurable improvements in care quality and coordination. For Ireland, DiSCRE is more than a pilot; it’s a necessary move to modernise, ensure data compatibility and lay the foundation for person-centred care.

The timing of DiSCRE aligns with a broader transformation of Ireland’s health and social care system under Sláintecare, the national 10-year strategy for universal, integrated care. As part of this agenda, The Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Digital Health Strategic Implementation Roadmap (published in 2024) outlines a vision for a fully digitised health ecosystem by 2030. This includes not just hospitals and GPs, but also long-term care, mental health services and social care providers. Key developments include: 

• Digital Health Framework 2024–2030 – Lays the groundwork for integrated, person-centred digital health.
• National Service Plan 2025 – Prioritises digital maturity, with a focus on service integration and data flow across Health Regions.
• HSE Health App (2025) – Enables citizens to access health records which is an important step in public engagement with digital care.

DiSCRE complements these strategies by focusing on frontline digital readiness, ensuring that digital tools don’t just exist at the policy level and that they’re usable and effective on the ground, in homes and in residential care facilities.

For management teams overseeing care delivery, DiSCRE is both a call to action and a practical framework for how to digitise effectively.

1.     Quality and Safety Come First

Digital records don’t just make information easier to access, they also reduce clinical risk. With real-time updates, medication logs and alerts for missed care, teams are better equipped to respond quickly and consistently. This improves safeguarding and inspection outcomes.

2.     Data-Driven Decisions Are Becoming Standard

In both Ireland and the UK, regulators and funders are increasingly data-focused. Whether it’s HIQA or HSE regional bodies, management will need to demonstrate quality through evidence. Digital records provide the foundation for doing so, from care plan adherence to incident reporting and audit trails.

3.     Workforce Pressures Demand Better Tools

With staffing shortages continuing across the care sector, digital records help by reducing duplication, automating compliance tasks and freeing up time for person-centred care. They also support more flexible onboarding and training which are essential for attracting and retaining a modern workforce.

4.     Interoperability is the Future

Ireland’s regionalised approach to health service delivery under Sláintecare makes compatibility a priority. That means digital care systems must speak to other platforms, including hospital EHRs, pharmacy services and primary care systems.

The UK’s rapid adoption of Digital Social Care Records provides valuable lessons for Ireland. According to The Guardian, an independent evaluation by the University of York found that homes using digital records reported:

• Better care continuity
• More efficient handovers
• Improved outcomes during hospital discharge coordination
• Higher staff satisfaction due to reduced paperwork

These benefits are now being quantified at a national level, offering Irish stakeholders a compelling business case for investment. With the groundwork already laid in the UK, Ireland can leapfrog common pitfalls and tailor its implementation with clearer ROI expectations.

The implementation of DiSCRE in Ireland signals a turning point for the sector. It’s not just about adopting software, but it’s also about redefining care delivery for the modern age. With the right partners and policies, Ireland has an opportunity to match and potentially exceed the UK standards in digital social care. For sector leaders, now is the time to ask: 

1. Are your systems fit for purpose in a digital future?
2. Can you demonstrate quality and compliance through data?
3. Are you giving your staff the tools they need to do their best work?

With DiSCRE as the catalyst, and The Access Group as your digital partner, the answer can be a confident yes. Whether you’re just beginning your digital journey or scaling up, we offer not just software, but expertise, training, and ongoing partnership tailored to Irish providers.