Scott Arrol takes on leadership of HiNZ

NEWS - eHealthNews editor Rebecca McBeth

Scott Arrol, who has extensive leadership experience in New Zealand’s health and disability sectors, has been appointed chief executive (acting) of Health Informatics NZ (HiNZ).

In former roles, Arrol has worked across digital health, telehealth, community and mental health, disability services and aged care.

He is well-known to the HiNZ team and community, having served on the HiNZ board from 2020 – 2022 and as programme manager for Digital Health Week 2024.

He also sits on the boards of Health Navigator Charitable Trust and The Disability Federation and is programme manager at the NZ Telehealth Forum and Resource Centre.

Arrol says he is excited to take on the chief executive role and that under his leadership, HiNZ will continue to advocate for the profound, positive difference that digital technologies play in supporting the delivery of healthcare services.

He says HiNZ’s critical role in the digital health ecosystem is going to become increasingly important and there is much more to be achieved.

Arrol joins the organisation at a pivotal time for digital health, as Health NZ is currently consulting on a plan to cut the annual budget by $100 million a year and reduce the number of roles by 47 percent.

Acknowledging this difficult time during his speech at Digital Health Week 2024, he said HiNZ is a special community with a common vision. 

“We will not be comfortable with a degradation of digital infrastructure and systems that could have a detrimental impact on the health and safety of New Zealanders,” he told attendees.

HiNZ chief operations officer Kylie Williams says Arrol did a fantastic job as the 2024 conference programme manager and the team is delighted to have him step into the chief executive role.

“Arrol has invaluable connections and knowledge within the digital health ecosystem. I and other HiNZ team members have known him for many years and he has already made a significant impact in the short time he has been with us,” she says.

Arrol is also well known to industry partners as he was chief executive of industry association NZ Health IT (NZHIT) from 2014 - 2021, which has since become the Digital Health Association (DHA).

DHA chief executive Ryl Jensen says the organisation is excited to work alongside Arrol and the HiNZ team to strengthen shared goals and continue advancing the capabilities of both organisations to support the digital health sector.

“Arrol brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the digital health sector, built over many years of dedicated involvement. He is highly respected across the community and is no stranger to leadership, having successfully guided NZHiT, DHA’s predecessor,” she says. 

“His long history with the sector, combined with his knowledge and expertise, makes him the ideal person to lead HiNZ during this time and we are looking forward to seeing what he does.”

Tim Corbett resigned as chief executive on November 30, 2024 in order to explore opportunities elsewhere.

To comment on or discuss this news story, go to the eHealthNews category on the HiNZ eHealth Forum

Read more Sector news

Return to eHealthNews.nz home page