M I N I S T R Y O F H E A LT H
NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION PLATFORM ENABLING INNOVATION
A Ministry of Health team is and the sector, to deliver the national health information platform (nHIP) programme. working in partnership with consumers and their whānau, nHIP is not a new system — it is an ecosystem of data and digital services that enable a whole new way for a person’s health information to be accessible and updated. It is an exciting and ground-breaking change and will transform the way people interact with health services and use their health information. There will be investment in new technology, and in working with the health sector on enabling the technology services people use to interact with and share information. The nHIP programme will support sector uptake and innovation.
participation for people who have not traditionally accessed these services — including Māori, Pacific and people who are categorised as high needs because of age, geography and/or socioeconomic circumstance. The programme identifies and supports new and innovative ways people can access health care through digital means. The digital enablement programme is closely linked to the nHIP programme. The latter will provide data and digital services that enable a whole new way for a person’s health information to be accessible including enabling innovations to work reliably, and consistently across Aotearoa. While they are currently separate pieces of work, they are aligned in their objectives, with digital enablement intended to become a key workstream of nHIP.
leading to improved decision making and releasing time to care. It will include access for providers and consumers to health information such as demographics, enrolled practice, community service card entitlements, prescribed and dispensed medicines, Covid-19 immunisation status, and summary primary care data (GP only) through multiple consumer and provider channels. As part of tranche one, consumers will have the ability to update information held in the NHI , such as their contact details. Tranche one will also deliver technology enablers such as digital identity and interoperability services.
Supporting innovation
At the same time, work has begun on a digital enablement programme. A key part of this programme is to provide support for innovative digital health services and technology to district health boards (DHBs) and other providers. This includes working with the sector to leverage what is currently working well, and to support ongoing innovation. Further work is underway providing funding and support to the primary and community care sector around digitally-enabled health services that aim to improve access and
First tranche of work being planned
Telehealth pods
Soundproof telehealth pods for the community are an example of innovation being supported by the digital enablement programme. Telehealth pods are being considered by several DHBs, including Waitematā, which is testing them at North Shore Hospital.
The national Health Information Platform programme business case is being considered by government for potential inclusion in the 2021 Budget, and work is also under way on a business case to release funding specifically for tranche one of the programme. Tranche one will focus on quality and timely information sharing between service providers,
Dr Robyn Whittaker is clinical director for Waitematā DHB’s
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