Cabinet to consider national Health Information Platform

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Picture: Minister of Health David Clark speaking at the HealthTech Conference 2019 this week.

eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

The Minister of Health has received advice on the proposed national Health Information Platform, and it will be considered by Cabinet either this month or next.

If approved the Ministry of Health will develop a detailed business case for the project.

David Clark was speaking at the HealthTech Conference 2019 in Auckland on 2 July where he said the government is focused on building equity and sustainability into the health system.

He said the current Health and Disability System Review is an opportunity to reshape the health sector, which is “ready for change”, having remained largely the same since the turn of the century.

“An example that will enable innovation is the national Health Information Platform. I have received advice about that and expect it to be considered by Cabinet this month or next and I will update you on progress in that respect,” he told conference attendees.

The platform replaces the idea of building a single Electronic Health Record, but will instead assemble a virtual electronic record on an ‘as required’ basis from multiple trusted sources.

Ministry of Health deputy director general data and digital Shayne Hunter said at the HealthTech conference that there is already an enormous amount of patient data being held in various systems.

“People are telling us that they want a digital experience, they want access to information, but how do we join up this information?” he said.

Key to this is the Ministry’s work to create an NHI-linked identifier for patients, which is being done alongside central government in order to avoid creating multiple identities for people, explained Hunter.

Clark said the government is investing in health innovation in a number of areas, including in Māori and Pasifika health, as the health system is going to have to “do things differently” in order to achieve equity for Māori and Pasifika people.

The government has also committed $455 million in primary care mental health initiatives over four years and innovative responses will be key to scaling up capacity in this area, he said.

If you would like to provide feedback on this news story please contact the editor Rebecca McBeth.

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