Fixing ‘dire’ digital health infrastructure a priority for Health Minister

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

The government is looking at creating a separate Health Infrastructure Entity to manage and deliver physical and digital assets, as hospitals and data systems are in “dire need of an upgrade”, says the Health Minister.

Simeon Brown said in a speech to the BusinessNZ Health Forum on March 7 that providing clarity on the health infrastructure investment pipeline is one of his five key priorities.

He said Health NZ is grappling with an outdated infrastructure that is inhibiting changes to models of care and that digital infrastructure is also fragmented, with an estimated 6,000 applications and 100 digital networks. 

“That equates to roughly one application for every 16 Health New Zealand staff members, which is unsustainable,” he said. 

The Minister said health infrastructure has been neglected for decades and the government is investigating creating a separate Health Infrastructure Entity under Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, to manage and deliver physical and digital assets.

It will also publish a long-term plan for health infrastructure, “so Kiwis know what’s being upgraded across New Zealand and can see a 10-year pipeline of capital projects”.

The Digital Services team at Health NZ is creating a Digital Infrastructure Investment Plan that will feed into this wider long-term infrastructure plan.

Brown told BusinessNZ the government will be “putting all funding and financing options on the table as this will require bold, sustainable investment”.

His other four priorities are; stabilising Health New Zealand’s governance and accountability allowing it to focus on delivering the basics; reducing emergency department wait times; delivering a boost in elective surgery volumes to get on top of the backlog and reduce waiting lists; and fixing primary care to ensure easier access.

He also announced that Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora will  “begin the process of transitioning to traditional governance” and nominations for the new board due to open in coming weeks.

“My message to Health New Zealand is simple: I expect delivery. I expect a back-to-basics approach, with less talk and more action,” Brown said.

Digital Health Association (DHA) chief executive Ryl Jensen says "it is encouraging to see the Government recognise that digital infrastructure is not just a ‘nice to have’ but an essential pillar of a functioning health system." 

She says the DHA, which represents New Zealand’s digital health industry, has long advocated for a strategic, well-funded approach to digital infrastructure and this renewed focus is promising, but must translate into decisive action.

"We cannot afford more delays or short-term fixes. The past year has already cost us momentum, and we are seeing the impact as other countries pull ahead in digital health innovation. If we don’t act now, we risk falling even further behind."

Image: Health Minister Simeon Brown

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