Data & Digital futures: Darren’s View - Budget 2022

VIEW - Ministry of Health group manager digital strategy & investment Darren Douglass

Budget 2022 has provided significant investments in health data and digital infrastructure and capability across a range of initiatives, building on the $385 million provided through Budget 2021 to implement Hira tranche 1 and other health sector data and digital infrastructure and capability.

These investments are essential for improving health system performance and laying the foundations for the digitally enabled health and disability system envisaged by the reforms.

Budget 2022 provides up to $320 million for investment in the data and digital infrastructure and capability needed to improve health system performance and achieve the aims of health system reform. It is anticipated that the investments supported by this funding will include, but not be limited to:

• addressing issues related to DHB technology infrastructure and out-of-date systems, for example through replacing slow and fragmented systems, which will improve system resilience, reduce system downtimes that can impact on patient care, improve cybersecurity, and reduce workforce frustration
• improving data and analytics capability across the health system so that equity issues can be targeted more effectively and to inform the development of new, digitally enabled models of care
  improving information sharing between providers to facilitate greater collaboration and coordination of care
• developing new and innovative ways for people to access health care through digital means, with a focus on increasing digital equity so Māori, Pacific people and those who traditionally have not engaged with health services have the same level of access to services as others
• empowering New Zealanders to better manage their own health and wellbeing by providing more digital options for accessing care and information
• investing in data and digital infrastructure and capability that lays the foundations for a digitally enabled health and disability system
• implementing Hira Tranche 2, which will extend the range of health data, eligibility and entitlement information covered by Hira and will include a focus on health literacy to support the adoption of Hira services, especially improving digital equity.
  
  

Budget 2022 also provides up to $155.3 million over the next four years ($225.2 million over 10 years) to put in place the data and digital infrastructure needed to make sure the new Dunedin hospital can provide a 21st century standard of care to all patients. It will also deliver digital solutions across the wider Southern health system including the Southland and Lakes District hospitals, and rural trust hospitals where appropriate.

A further $125.315 million over four years has been provided through Budget 2022 to retain and expand selected population health and disease management digital capability and infrastructure that was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will ensure we continue to be prepared for any future pandemics and will provide a basis for transforming the delivery of future public health programmes which could include, for example, measles, rheumatic fever, screening and child wellbeing programmes.

Budget 2022 has also provided up to $10.800 million over three years to put in place the digital and data infrastructure needed to enable the National Public Health Service (NPHS) to operate as a single national service and ensure that public and population health surveillance meets the needs of a 21st century health system. This includes building the capability to gain data evidence and insights such as important population health trends, outcomes and disease trends, particularly at community and locality levels. These insights and evidence are critical to informing planning and operations at national, regional and local levels.

Picture: MoH group manager digital strategy & investment Darren Douglass

If you want to contact eHealthNews.nz regarding this View, please contact the editor Rebecca McBeth.

Read more VIEWS

Return to eHealthNews.nz home page