DHBs’ digital services ramping up

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eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

DHBs nationwide are ramping up their digital services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand increased to 20 on 18 March, including cases in Dunedin and Invercargill.

Southern DHB executive director people, culture & technology Mike Collins says the DHB has set up a dedicated team to deal with requests from staff to implement telehealth technology.

“Clinical staff are having conversations around how they can provide remote care. In the past there hasn’t been that urgency for it, but it’s now kicking into gear,” he tells eHealthNews.nz.

He says the DHB is increasing its number of licences for telehealth and ensuring it has the infrastructure to support more telehealth and telemedicine services. While the technology is one part of it, ensuring staff have the training and education to provide virtual care is the larger piece of work.

Southern is also fast tracking implementation of Microsoft Teams for clinical staff, starting with radiology services, says Collins.

As well as ramping up digital services for clinical care, DHBs are planning for staff to be able to work remotely or from home where needed.

Canterbury DHB chief digital officer Stella Ward says staff in self-isolation may need to work from home and the DHB’s ISG team has plans in place to respond to the possibility that some staff, with their manager’s approval, may be working from home.

Plans include diverting desk calls to mobile phones or other landlines as well as monitoring data usage and responding to an increased demand for more data.

The DHB is ensuring it has an additional supply of mobile phones and is planning for the use of alternative hardware options including repurposing laptops and use of personal devices, she says.

The DHB will also be deploying multiple options to support an increase for remote access such as data for mobile hotpot access, increased licences for mobile pass/tokens and additional VPN access, as well as ensuring staff have platforms in place to connect remotely for meetings such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

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

Read more news:

Data and digital key to coronavirus response

COVID-19 an opportunity for collaborative approaches to digital technology

For more information and resources about COVID-19 go to https://www.hinz.org.nz/page/covid19

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