Today, the Draft National Health IT Plan was introduced at a Partnership Summit for key stakeholders, held by the Health IT Cluster and the National Health IT Board.  

The National Health IT Board is responsible for health IT leadership in the sector and has recently undertaken detailed work to identify the sector’s Health IT priorities.  This work will enable better understanding of which health solutions should be delivered at a national, regional or local level. A more detailed programme of work can now be developed.

Graeme Osborne, Director of the Board is leading delivery of this programme.  One of its priorities is delivery of a National Health IT Plan by 30 June 2010.  “We’re delighted to release this draft plan and look forward to people discussing it and giving us their feedback.  Input from the sector is critical to make sure we get it right,” says Graeme.

The draft plan supports improvements in the quality and delivery of health care services, underpins new models of care, and seeks to deliver better value for money.

There will be a number of opportunities in May and early June for the sector to attend briefings to discuss the Plan.  Feedback is welcomed and can be emailed to   enquiries@ithealthboard.health.nz.

The Board will finalise the plan and have it ready for Ministerial approval by 30 June 2010.

The draft plan is available from the following websites:

·               New Zealand Health IT Cluster – www.healthIT.org.nz  (from Friday 23 April)

·               Health InnoVation Exchange – www.HIVE.org.nz  (week commencing 26 April)

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For further information contact:

Graeme Osborne, Director, National Health IT Board

021 832 693