New report envisions NZ as global leader in digital health

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

New Zealand has a unique opportunity to position itself as a global leader in digital health innovation, a new report says.

The report from New Zealand Health Information Technology (NZHIT) called Hauora, Mauri Ora: Enabling a Healthier Aotearoa New Zealand, was launched by Health Minister Andrew Little in Parliament on April 7.

It makes five recommendations to “make New Zealand a world-class digital health technology exemplar” and highlights the problem that healthcare providers often see IT as a cost burden rather than an enabler or strategic investment.

In his foreword, deputy director general data and digital at the Ministry of Health Shayne Hunter says: “the day-to-day effectiveness of our health and disability system is due as much to our use of data and digital technologies, as to medical technologies, drugs and laboratory tests.

“There is growing recognition that the system needs to aggressively invest in data and digital infrastructure and new ways of working,” he says.

“This is not only to relieve the burden of technical debt but to provide the opportunity to enable major advances in service delivery.”

The report recommends establishing a national Digital Health Innovation Network to oversee and enable the adoption of digital innovation within the health and disability sector.

The new network would bring together healthcare providers, entrepreneurs and innovators, researchers and evaluators, and investors to focus on new digital technology solutions to address high priority needs. 

The report also recommends creating a more effective supplier engagement framework, saying traditional procurement approaches often restrict the sector’s ability to optimise digital investments.

“The idea that procuring a complex digital solution can be based on the same methodology as procuring a personal computer or an air conditioning unit, does the sector and New Zealand citizens a major disservice,” it argues.

The report says a national Digital Health Academy should be established to accelerate digital literacy in the health workforce, upskill staff and provide pathways for the health workforce to take on digital roles.

This would be a nationwide collaboration between the sector and universities, based on existing work undertaken by HiNZ, the National Institute for Health Innovation, and the MoH.

“Creating a ‘modern and comprehensive digital health curriculum’ is crucial to the successful uptake of digital technologies in our health and disability system and participating in digital literacy programmes will enable our health workforce to keep up with health demands, changing environments, and evolving technologies,” the report says.

Its fourth proposal is that there should be a “renewed focus on engaging and empowering consumers to address the issues of inequity of access and health outcomes.”

This would involve investing in digital solutions to enable more effective models of care which enable consumer choice, flexibility and informed decision making.

Finally, it focuses on promoting New Zealand’s digital health industry offshore by creating a strong international brand and working across agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

“A number of companies have enjoyed considerable success internationally, but there are many more, with the right support, who could showcase the New Zealand digital health brand to the world,” the report says.

It says data and digital technologies can be used to help New Zealand meet major challenges in the sustainability of its health and disability services, and the equity of their delivery.

“Consumers are increasingly demanding greater access to and control of their health data, policy makers and managers are looking to stretch budgets through increased effectiveness and efficiency, and clinicians are seeking more timely and accurate support,” says the report.

“All are seeking leadership to address these challenges with effective long-term solutions.”

Picture: L-R rear Harry Hawke, Shayne Hunter, Tony Wai, Mark Cox, Ross Peat Front L-R Anna Elders,  Vidhya Makam, Kate Reid, Hon Andrew Little, Malcom Pollock, Ryl Jensen