Minister announces Health System Indicators

eHealthNews.nz: National Systems & Strategy

Thursday, 5 August 2021

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NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Health Minister Andrew Little speaks at the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Conference 2021 A new set of Health System Indicators will be published quarterly in an online dashboard, the Minister of Health has announced.

Andrew Little made the announcement during a speech to the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Conference 2021 on August 6, saying the new accountability system replaces the National Health Targets that were retired in 2018.

“The health indicators will bring data and people together to improve safe and equitable care whilst also getting the best value for money from the health budget,” he said.

Twelve indicators have been developed by the Ministry of Health and the Health Quality and Safety Commission (HQSC), and reflect the Government’s most important priorities.

These are; improving child wellbeing, improving mental wellbeing, improving wellbeing through preventative measures, creating a strong and equitable public health system, better primary healthcare and a financially sustainable health system.

Royal New Zealand College of GPs president Samantha Murton says, "it’s good to have indicators that will make the health sector look outside the hospital walls to see what changes can be made in the community that will make a true difference to New Zealand’s health outcomes”.

The national-level data for 10 indicators is available now via a web-based dashboard hosted by the Commission, and the other two indicators are being developed. The local results for July to September 2021 will be published in December.

Data is collected through the Ministry of Health and external systems for all but two indicators that are collected through the HQSC.

A technical document lists the data sources as the; national minimum dataset, national non-admitted patient collection, national immunisation register, mental health data, planned care funding schedule, stats NZ population projections, primary health organisation enrolment collection and the primary care patient experience survey.

Preliminary data is provided to stakeholders and DHBs for feedback before being finalised by the Ministry, then transferred to the HQSC securely via the electronic file transfer system over the connected health network. The Commission receives an automatic e-mail notification when files arrive.

“DHBs are expected to take full ownership of the data they supply and are responsible for any necessary corrections. At the same time, they also have a role in reviewing the data and assisting with the quality assurance of the data,” the document says.

Minister Little also told GPs the new structure for the health system will be in place on the first of July next year and he will announce the interim boards of both Health NZ and the Māori Health Authority next month.

Picture: Health Minister Andrew Little speaks at the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Conference 2021