Minister launches Zero Data and focuses on enabling power of digital at HiNZ Summit

eHealthNews.nz: National Systems & Strategy

Minister launches Zero Data and focuses on enabling power of digital at HiNZ Summit

Wednesday, 31 May 2023

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NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

The Health Minister launched Zero Data at the HiNZ Digital Health Leadership Summit in Wellington, and said data and digital will transform the delivery of health care.

Ayesha Verrall told the 220-strong audience on May 30, that the government is investing in digital access by providing Zero Data access to online services for people who need them, but do not always have the internet.

“Barriers to access are being torn down through this amazing cross-agency approach to support more New Zealanders to use online services where they are and when they need them,” the Minister said.

She also said we have a “once in a generation opportunity” to transform the way we deliver health, and that data and digital innovation is a crucial pillar of the reforms.

The Minister told the Summit that she has always been driven by a passion for understanding the data and there have been huge shifts in technology over her career.

She said the health sector needs to embrace innovation and collaboration and leverage the power of data in technologies.

“Through data and digital we will be able to transform the delivery of healthcare to the standard we need now and the future,” she said.

“It enables us to make the crucial system shifts that provide more people with the care and services they need in their homes and communities.”

Given global workforce pressures, the sector needs fresh thinking on how care is delivered.

“It’s about how we use our valuable resources and how we empower the people who work with us, and that's where data and digital will play an absolutely massive role,” said Verrall.

“Digital is not just tools or technologies, it is an enabler of service redesign and productivity improvement. It can push us to deliver care in new and more responsive ways that more effectively support and leverage our highly valued health workforce.”

She told attendees that data and digital must “serve the community not exploit or exclude parts of it”, and that industry should share data openly and securely with other providers, “not hoard it or sell it”.

“We need industry to adopt common standards and interoperability protocols, not create silos or lock ins,” said the Minister.

“We need the industry to codesign solutions with consumers and clinicians, not impose them or ignore them.”

Verrall said she is “excited about the potential of digital to transform the health system for the better”.

“I'm also confident that we have the talent, the passion and commitment to make it happen.”

Zero Data means key health sector websites such as Healtify, Depresssion.org, HealthEd, Small Steps and Just a Thought, can be accessed with all charges going back to Te Whatu Ora.

“Think of the members of your community who might need to know this information and please share it widely,” the Health Minister said.