CiLN Advisory Panel Update - February 2022

NEWS – CiLN Advisory Panel Member Tamzin Brott

Kia ora koutou

As this is the first update for the year Hari Tau Hou (Happy New Year) to you all. I hope you have managed to spend time reconnecting with your whanau and friends over the summer break.

As I sit here writing this update on Te Rā o Waitangi I am reflecting on what Te Tiriti o Waitangi means to us all as New Zealanders. As we head into yet another COVID-19 response across the motu, with Omicron well and truly throughout Aotearoa, Te Rā o Waitangi reminds and grounds us. It is a day to stand together.

On Tuesday, 1 February 2022 we also welcomed in the Lunar Chinese New Year. The year of the Tiger preparing us for what is to come with tigers being known for bravery, courage and strength.

As we once again pivot to reviewing and refreshing how we continue to provide healthcare in an Omicron world under Red traffic light settings, clinical informatics and informaticians continue to rise to the fore supporting both service users and clinicians to access services safely and deliver clinical care in a timely way, underpinned by strong data and insights delivered across ever improving and evolving systems.

The role of informatics continues to grow and gain recognition as we discuss nationally the role of technology in our ongoing response to COVID-19 with online self-reporting of symptoms and RAT (rapid antigen tests) results. The increasing importance of clinical informatics is further evidenced by the standing up of the HIRA clinical reference group in November 2021 (Hira clinical reference group created), and the current advertising of the Clinical Director HIRA role.

It continues to be an exciting time to be involved in identifying and growing digital and data expertise and clinical informaticians.

While we are preparing ourselves for further changes in the coming months I’d also like to take a moment to thank Nic Quilty for her incredible guidance and support of CiLN. We all wish you well in your new role Nic. We also welcome Charis Frethey who has joined HiNZ as the Sector Engagement Manager. Charis will be providing on-going support to CiLN.

Last but not least a wee reminder about the Digital Health Conference. The virtual HiNZ Conference on 30-31 March includes three keynotes per day and a series of 30 minute audience Q&A discussion groups. Running from 9am to 1pm each day to reduce 'screen fatigue' the conference is easily accessible in small bites sizes as needed as well as a strong interactive focus.

It’s not a passive ''sit and listen'' so come to the event prepared with questions for the speakers. The conference app will open for delegates on 21 March, giving you plenty of time to watch presentations linked to your chosen discussion groups, before the live event starts on 30 March. You can review the virtual conference programme now!

As we head into the next few months I’m sending you all strength.
He waka eke noa – we are all in this together
Kia kaha

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

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