National Telehealth Services contract extended for Whakarongorau

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

Whakarongorau Aotearoa been granted a two-year extension on the National Telehealth Services (NTS) contract with Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, until June 2027.

The organisation also recently announced a new GP booking platform for its service, Healthline.

The current NTS contract includes Healthline, mental health and addictions services and other services and was due to expire this month - June 2025. 

A Future Procurement Opportunity was released in quarter three of last year with a final procurement approach due out in December, but the contract has now been extended.

Whakarongorau chief executive Glynis Sandland says this extension provides certainty for everyone involved in delivering these services and reflects the solid working relationship the organisation has with Health NZ.

“More importantly, it recognises the incredible impact we are achieving together and provides the stability to launch innovations that will strengthen New Zealand's health system,” she says.

“We are continuing to invest in enhanced digital tools and service improvements, all while maintaining the trusted, accessible service that New Zealanders have relied on for 25 years.”   

There will be a competitive procurement process when the contract comes up for renewal in 2027.

Whakarongorau runs Healthline, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at an event at parliament hosted by associate minister of health Matt Doocey. 

At the event they announced a new online booking platform going live in July that will enable a Healthline nurse or paramedic to book the caller an appointment with a GP anywhere in the country.

The new GP booking initiative is for people who are advised by a nurse or paramedic that they need GP-level care but who cannot access their regular doctor quickly or easily enough, or who do not have one. 

Initially this will be a telehealth appointment and soon after, in-person appointments. 

The GP booking system has been developed through a strategic alliance between Valentia Technologies and Whakarongorau. 

Ahmed Javad from Valentia Technologies says, "the platform will enable people to navigate services more easily, helping them discover and access the right services through multiple channels including webchat, voice, video-enabled support, and guided digital pathways."

Sandland says this is the first example of a Whakarongorau-led initiative to create a hub for connected care, using a digital platform. 

“When they contact with one of our services, we can get people faster access to health support, and in the future to wellness and other services too. This booking capability for Healthline is just the start,” she says.

Image: Cake cutting Whakarongorau Chair Roger Sowry, CEO Glynis Sandland and Associate Minister of Health and for Mental Health Matt Doocey 

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