HIQA has launched a six-week public consultation seeking feedback from the public on its content. Draft National Guidelines on the Responsible and Safe Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Social Care Services. The guidance was commissioned by the Department of Health and is based on an evidence review carried out by HIQA, which has also been published.
The aim of this draft guidance is to build awareness and good practice among services and staff on the responsible and safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure safer and better care for people using health and social care services. It is underpinned by four principles: accountability, a human rights-based approach, safety and well-being, and responsiveness, and aims to educate and empower service users about what they can expect when AI tools are used in their care.
HIQA said the development of the draft guidelines comes as Ireland’s health and social care system faces rising costs, increasing demands from an aging population, an increasing prevalence of chronic and complex diseases and a shortage of medical staff to meet demand.
Officials have acknowledged that AI is already beginning to be used across health and social care in Ireland, and its role is expected to expand significantly. According to HIQA, applications that have the potential to positively impact care delivery include streamlining administrative tasks, supporting diagnosis, and predicting medical outcomes to enable preventive measures.
These may include helping clinicians detect disease earlier, flagging patterns in scan and test results more accurately, and supporting note-taking capabilities so clinicians can focus directly on patients during consultations. While AI has the potential to enhance health and social care, there are potential risks and it is important to maintain human oversight, the agency said.
Commenting on the draft guidance, Rachel Flynn, Director of Health Information and Standards at HIQA, said: “The draft national guidance on the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care services has been developed against the backdrop of a dynamically evolving AI landscape. Meeting the challenges of health and social care systems requires innovative solutions, and AI is a promising tool that can be integrated to address some of these challenges. The role of AI in health and social care service delivery will continue to grow.” As we continue to grow, the development of national guidance on the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care contexts is timely and will also support the introduction of national standards in this area. ”
Flynn added: “This draft national guidance aims to help staff and services recognize the positive impact of AI in service delivery and will help prepare the industry for the significant changes occurring in this area. It includes practical information relating to topics such as governance, transparency and public participation. “This draft guidance has been developed with and for the people who use and provide services, and we encourage all interested parties to attend the public event and provide feedback.” Please consult. ”
In Ireland, the Department of Health, HSE, Health Information Agency and HIQA are working together to prepare the health and social care sector for future AI-related policies and legislation. This includes a co-ordinated and interlinked program of work to enable a whole systems approach to the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care, as the legal and regulatory landscape guiding the use of AI in health and social care continues to evolve.
The use of AI in health and social care services will also be guided by the EU AI Act 2024, which outlines legal responsibilities when using AI in all sectors. Other relevant legislation at EU level guiding the use of AI in health and social care services in Ireland includes the Medical Devices Regulation and the General Data Protection Regulation.
HIQA’s public consultation on draft national guidance on the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care is currently open until 5 March 2026. All feedback will be carefully considered and used to inform national guidance on the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care, to be published later this year.
You can provide feedback here.
