Transforming the delivery of healthcare

The South Island Alliance Data & Digital Health Strategy 2020-2030 has officially been released.

The regionally-agreed living document is reviewed annually in response to emerging opportunities and priorities. It recognises the enormous potential of data and digital to drive change and transform the way healthcare is delivered.

The development of the Strategy was a collaborative effort from an extensive range of health professionals across the region, including clinicians, experts, analysts and developers, as well as consumers. Successful implementation of the Strategy will require support of the whole South Island system, by continuing to combine resources and work collectively.

In recognising this potential opportunity for change, the Strategy sets out to:

• Drive the South Island to realise the potential data and digital transformation in supporting improved outcomes from the individual and their family, whānau and caregivers.
• Provide a foundation for the South Island for the next 10 years, with an explicit expectation that this is a living document.
• Provide a reference point for what we do collective – when, how and with whom.

Gabe Rijpma, Independent Chair of the Information Services Service Level Alliance (ISSLA), says as the health system is strengthened and modernised for the future, the digital strategy further defines the path to take. “A system of care supported by digital ensures that we empower providers, and the people in their care, to have a positive experience.”

The South Island is moving from a set of digital improvement projects to a system of integrated outcomes, with clear objectives that digital will align to. “This is critically important as we move to increase accountability to make our health system better, by making the experience more predictable and participatory for patients trying to organise, coordinate and receive their care.”

Gabe says the transition to Health New Zealand is a positive step towards improving health for all New Zealanders, and the strategy reflects its purpose of better cohesion and cross-system collaboration. “The South Island health system has a long history of collaborating and working together, and the digital strategy leans in on how to improve our system of care and further amplify collaboration and decision making – exciting opportunities are ahead.”