27 August 2019

The Ministry of Health has today released a statement encouraging health organisations to ensure the digital services they use are safe, secure, integrated and reliable, with the publication of minimum requirements for digital, data and technology services they are expected to meet.

You can read the full media release here, which also has a link to a copy of the minimum requirements and you can also access a copy of the requirements from the NZHIT website here.  NZHIT has had the opportunity to provide input to this notice and supports the leadership that it provides to the sector.  

The notice aligns with NZHIT’s vision that there will be world class health and wellbeing for all New Zealanders fully enabled by digital technology; along with our purpose to provide an open environment enabling a coordinated, informed voice that maximises health, social and economic value for New Zealand through digital technology.  

Whilst it is not an exhaustive list of requirements the notice sets out what should be considered as minimum levels of practice. Nonetheless, it is an important notice as it establishes a baseline of minimum expectations on common requirements to be met by all digital services.

The notice addresses a number of concerns that NZHIT members have previously raised in relation to inconsistencies across the country and the need for increased direction when it comes to the application of standards, data governance, security, replication, cloud delivery, interoperability and other related areas.

For all of this to be sustainable and support the ongoing delivery of healthcare services (now and into the future) it is important for the sector to recognise the commitment that goes into achieving the level of required standards and minimum requirements for digital, data and technology services.  

It is NZHIT's view that the required investment must be recognised by the funders of digital health solutions by way of having commercially sound agreements in place, that take the full life-cycle of the digital solution into account, and only contracting with those who demonstrate they have made the commitment to these requirements.

‍NZHIT’s advisory to members 

In recognition that the Ministry’s notice will present opportunities and challenges, NZHIT has today released an advisory for its members to be read in conjunction with the notice.  You can access a copy of this advisory here.

Digital health solutions are a key enabler of healthcare services and there is no doubt that digital, data and technology services are now a ubiquitous part of the health and disability system in New Zealand and worldwide.  

NZHIT members are well placed to play an important role with the increasing importance of sector-wide (healthcare providers, industry, research and consumers) collaboration and partnerships creating growth opportunities nationally and internationally.

 

For further information please contact Scott Arrol (CEO NZHIT) on +64 21 414631 or

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