Loss of chief data and digital a ‘troubling sign’

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Loss of the chief data and digital role at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is a “troubling sign” for the future of digital health transformation, industry leaders say.

Leigh Donoghue took up the position in May 2023, moving from Australia to “lead the implementation of digital and technology innovations that improve access to care, enhance our people’s experience of work and supports our strategic aims and key system shifts,” chief executive Margie Apa said at the time.

However, less than 15 months later, Apa has confirmed she is disestablishing the chief data and digital role as part of the reset at Health NZ.

The role of chief people officer, held by Andrew Slater, has also been disestablished. Slater was formerly chief executive of Whakarongorau Aotearoa – NZ Telehealth Services. 

Apa says the reshaping of the executive leadership team is designed to focus on empowering the regions and delivering on health targets, which started with the appointment of four regional deputy chief executives.

She says Donoghue and Slater have “made enormous contributions to Health NZ, and these have been difficult decisions”.

“These changes are all part of the wider HNZ reset to ensure we get back on budget, live within our means and deliver faster and easier access to healthcare for New Zealanders,” says Apa.

Chief executive of industry body the Digital Health Association, Ryl Jensen, says Donoghue came to the role with a bold vision for transformation and a genuine openness to collaborate. 

“His ability to see the bigger picture and imagine a future where digital health leads the way for our healthcare system was creditable and forward thinking,” she says. 

The DHA sees it is a troubling sign that the vision for digital health transformation that Donoghue came here to drive “now feels farther away than ever”.

"(Donoghue's) exit is yet another example of how the Government appears to view digital health as a cost centre and not as an essential asset which provides a clear return on investment and supports the frontline”, Jensen adds.

The role of chief data officer at Health NZ, part of Donoghue’s senior leadership team (SLT), has also been disestablished and responsibility for data and has moved to a newly expanded directorate called ‘performance, funding and outcomes’, under Dale Bramley.  

Kari Jones has already left her chief data officer role to become executive director – transformation and operational delivery at the Financial Markets Authority – NZ.

Director of sector digital channels Michael Dreyer, another member of the data and digital SLT, has announced that he is taking on the role of deputy chief executive technology and data at ACC in November.

eHealthNews understands Darren Douglass, director of strategy and investment, has been appointed on an interim basis to fill Donoghue’s position.

Image: Chief data and digital, Leigh Donoghue

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