How do I feel about the recent Budget 24 announcements for digital health in New Zealand? Conflicted is probably a good word. Determined is another. Disappointed fits too. On the one hand, we have an enormous opportunity to come together as a sector and an ecosystem to take stock and reimagine an even stronger business case for interoperability across our health system (and we will!). But on the other hand, I feel the deep sense of disappointment and uncertainty shared by many of my amazing colleagues, members, and community—my digital health whānau—where the further development of those foundations that were being laid for a tech-led and tech-enabled health system have been paused or hibernated. We all know technology is an enabler. I’m using technology right now to write this message. We’ve come to know it, rely on it, and embrace it. However, our health systems across the world have not advanced at the same pace as other sectors. Why is it we expect our banking apps to give us immediate knowledge and access to our financial information, but we seem to accept the status quo for our health information? We can and should expect better. We know that health systems are complex and demanding, with many different challenges, including political, economic, workforce, and social factors coming into play. But as a consumer of the health system, I know what I want in the 21st century. I want to see my health information available to me—from, for example, physio to hospital to dentist to GP. And I want to have control of it. I also want to know it is safe. And I want to stop telling my health story over and over. We don’t have that quite yet, but we do have a whole bunch of clever and passionate people and organisations who can and will eventually make that happen both in the private and public sectors. Us Kiwis are a tenacious and hardy lot. We are also innovative and optimistic. Even in hard economic times, we will find a way to keep working toward a connected health system for our health workforce and our people. And we’ll do it together. Technology will not only enable our health system, but it will also contribute to our GDP, making our country a better place. Get the settings right, back us, and watch us Kiwis fly. Onwards and upwards! Leigh Donoghue Darren Douglass Gerard Keenan Michael Dreyer Russell Craig Jim Brown Tim Corbett Rebecca McBeth Kylie Williams Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ) Digital Health Association (DHA) Daniel Paul Zoe Barnes Kelly Thomas Heidi Hitchman Martin Curley John Sheehan Romita Ghosh Paul Claxton Kate Reid Helen Lear
New Zealand’s flagship health information sharing programme, Hira, is finishing on 30 June with no money committed to fund further tranches. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is considering which aspects of the programme can continue in some way through use of baseline funding. The May Budget recalled more than $330 million earmarked for data and #digitalhealth initiatives over the next five years, including funding for Hira tranche two. Health Minister Shane Reti says the Government recognises the need to invest in data and digital. Read the full story in eHealthNews with comment from Leigh Donoghue Ray Delany Rebecca George Ryl Jensen Digital Health Association (DHA) https://lnkd.in/dMgWJGSB Gerard Keenan Michael Dreyer
Russell Craig
4mo
You've captured how many are feeling really well Ryl Jensen. As Leigh, Darren, Michael, Gerard and others have been telling us, we are climbing a mountain, which takes time and determination. We know what the summit looks like. Time now to take stock of what we've achieved so far, and regroup for the next stage of the journey.
Nick Vaughan
4mo
You can still work on this as an information standards approach, agree on the information standards, agree on common methodologys for how we describe things. When it comes time to do the technolgy bit you will have a pretty good Business Knowledge framework on which an integrated technology platform can deliver to
Donald Christie
4mo
"Us Kiwis are a tenacious and hardy lot. We are also innovative and optimistic. " True that. Which makes it such as shame that Hira and similar government initiatives showed so little faith in Kiwi solutions and providers.
Ian Manovel
4mo
"Life's a bit like mountaineering - never look down."
Eamon L.
4mo
Wise words Ryl. Very disappointing to see this government recall millions which would have gone to improving our access to our own data. In the 21st Century people should expect transparency and ownership of their data from all public sector providers. Fingers crossed things can get turned around soon and Hira (and other programmes) can continue!
Colin W.
4mo
Well said Ryl Jensen and it needed saying.
Organisational leadership & transformation; Board Strategy & creativity; Executive coaching; Co-creative facilitation
4moWhat I also find interesting is the narratives around prioritising and the importance of digital and data - yet actions at highest levels seem to speak of scarcity of investment, pauses, cancellations etc. What sense can be made here?