The year 2024 has been a tumultuous one for Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora’s Data & Digital division. Marked by significant challenges, administrative upheavals, and budget cuts, the year has been described as an “annus horribilis.” Despite these setbacks, there have been notable advancements and innovations in the digital health landscape. This article delves into the key events, challenges, and developments that have shaped New Zealand’s digital health sector in 2024.
Administrative Upheavals and Budget Cuts
2024 saw significant administrative challenges within Health New Zealand’s Data & Digital division. High staff turnover and discarded plans for modernizing the health system led to confusion and uncertainty about the division’s future direction. The organization faced severe budget cuts, with over $330 million allocated to healthcare data and digital programs retracted and returned to the treasury. These financial constraints have cast doubt on the efficacy of the division’s endeavors and have led to heightened adversity across the year.
In July, a dramatic administrative shakeup occurred with the dismissal of the HNZ board and the appointment of a commissioner, Lester Levy, tasked with executing massive cost-saving measures amounting to approximately $1.4 billion. The flagship Hira project was indefinitely paused, and subsequent job losses raised concerns about the government’s commitment to supporting data and digital infrastructure.
Innovations Amidst Challenges
Despite the hardships, New Zealand continued to lead globally with its innovative development of the NZ Patient Summary, a project majorly contributed by HL7 New Zealand. However, this project faced threats of discontinuation due to prevailing financial restrictions. Bright spots included advancements at the new Dunedin Hospital in areas such as digital wayfinding and patient flow management, which are expected to persist despite budget trims.
Other notable developments included the integration of AI, specifically Nabla Copilot, in medical speech-to-text applications used by general practitioners (GPs), and digital assistants aimed at reducing administrative workload for general practices, such as ProCare’s rollout of five digital “robots.” These innovations highlight the potential for technology to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
Legal Disputes and Competition
The health management system (HMS) sector was beset by fierce competition and legal disputes between key vendors, Medtech and Indici. These disputes diverted resources away from innovation to legal fees, hindering progress in the sector. Additionally, the GP2GP patient record transfer system faced significant challenges, characterized as outdated and inefficient, with high transfer failure rates prompting calls for advanced technological alternatives.
Data Security Concerns
Health NZ faced critical issues following allegations against a former IT staff member for leaking vaccine injury data to an anti-vaccine website. This incident compromised the personal data of 12,000 individuals, attracting severe public and legal scrutiny. As a result, concerns regarding data security were notably intensified, highlighting the need for robust data governance and privacy measures.
Efforts to Enhance Patient Involvement
Efforts to expand patient portal access to hospital and GP records in Te Tai Tokerau Northland saw the employment of the Digital On-Road Access (DORA) bus. This initiative is part of a long-term strategy to foster patient involvement in personal healthcare management by granting them access to their records. The My Health Record initiative under the Hira interoperability program aimed to enhance consumers’ access to their immunization histories and gradually expand to broader health information. However, this project faced uncertainties by the year’s end due to financial constraints and administrative turmoil.
Technological Advancements
Amidst ongoing challenges, some significant technological advancements continued. Health NZ Waikato’s implementation of Alcidion’s Smartpage communications platform for non-clinical roles, innovations by Core Schedule in virtual care, and the introduction of an inflammatory bowel disease clinical management system named Crohn’s Colitis Care (CCCare) were prominent highlights. Medtech’s cooperation with Zed Technologies in streamlining the delivery of radiology reports via real-time API further exemplified progress.
Different vendors, including Valentia Technologies collaborating with Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand (BCFNZ) for a Nurse Support System, and Auckland PHO ProCare implementing digital assistants with robotic process automation, underscored notable technological strides. Ryman’s pilot project integrating the PillDrop online prescription medication delivery service within its retirement living facilities, and Starlink satellite technology deployment in Hawke’s Bay for remote healthcare workers, highlighted innovative efforts to revolutionize healthcare delivery through digital means.
Cautious Approach to AI and Telehealth
The year 2024 has proven to be a challenging one for Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora’s Data & Digital division. This period has been characterized by numerous obstacles, administrative turmoil, and financial cutbacks, earning it the label of an “annus horribilis.” Despite these hurdles, the digital health sector has made some remarkable strides and innovations.
This article explores the significant events and difficulties that have influenced New Zealand’s digital health field throughout 2024. Major challenges have included navigating budget cuts that have hampered project progress and dealing with administrative changes that have created uncertainty and required adjustments. Yet, amidst these issues, there have been significant accomplishments that stand out.
Innovations in digital health technologies have been a beacon of hope during this tumultuous time. From the development of more efficient data management systems to the implementation of advanced telehealth services, the sector has pushed forward with determination and resilience. These advancements signal a potential turnaround and pave the way for a more robust digital health infrastructure in the future.
