The launch of Health Connect South in Southern DHB brings the South Island one step closer to the delivery of a shared electronic patient health record across the region.
On 26 July, Southern DHB launched the first phase of its rollout of Health Connect South, the South Island’s regional health clinical portal management system for hospital settings. This view-only phase will enable approved users to view results and prescribed medication for patients. “Four out of the five South Island DHBs are now using the same system,” says Dr Andrew Bowers, Medical Director of IT, Southern DHB. “With each new DHB coming on board, it is getting easier for patients and DHB staff to move around the region with no loss or duplication of information. It’s really transforming the way we deliver health care and it supports a more sustainable, efficient and collaborative approach to health in the South Island.”
Health Connect South has already been successfully implemented in South Canterbury, Canterbury and West Coast DHBs, with Nelson Marlborough DHB to follow. Southern DHB is also preparing for the delivery of HealthOne later this year. Together, these systems represent a significant breakthrough in the delivery of a shared electronic patient health record; providing real-time, patient-centric information instantly and securely, enabling high quality, seamless health care to the entire South Island population.
