“ Key Directions” for a Nationwide eHealth Framework Supporting Quality Improvement Alan Hesketh Deputy Director-General, Information Ministry of Health February 2009

Update on Key Directions to eHealth Phase One of Key Directions programme approved by Government in August 2008 This included: Foundation Standards Provider to Provider Information Standards Decision Support Standards Change and Sector Engagement Stage one Business Case for the next steps in developing nationwide eHealth

Since then: Considerable emphasis has gone on identifying key elements of a nationwide information framework: Shared vision Common decision making Capturing appropriate innovations Simplifying delivery of implementations Safe sharing of information

Why do we need a nationwide framework? Inconsistent organisational processes have led to very fragmented information systems Limited sharing of clinical information across the care continuum and across the country No explicit health information system ‘architecture’ leading to increasing diversity and fragmentation Slow adoption of innovations (e.g. e-referrals) Numerous barriers to safe sharing of information Poor public understanding of health information issues leading to misunderstandings and anxiety Unclear roles and responsibilities (i.e. what should be done nationally, regionally, locally) Existing informational assets under-utilised, e.g. not readily available to quality improvement programmes

What can we do? (1) Develop a common vision and a set of principles to guide our long term actions and investments Provide a clear picture of how business processes, systems, information and infrastructure will work together as a coherent national system Provide a common platform which provides the linkages between organisations and systems makes other developments possible and easier to deliver

What can we do? (2) Make national data assets (e.g. routine collections) accessible to people who can make use of it to improve services Make the best use of modern telecommunications to overcome ‘tyranny of distance’ Use technology to enhance training and education of health professionals Engage with communities in a constructive dialogue about safe sharing of health information

Recognise Different Starting Points Strategy needs to set common destination "Building blocks" within strategy outline major changes Each organisation needs a convergence path Establish local picture and how it fits with the national system Develop locally relevant plans for convergence Use shared services to accelerate progress and help smaller organisations 6

Opportunities for GP leadership and input Update of Health Information Strategy Leadership and participation in the ‘safe sharing of health information’ dialogue Clinical governance of key projects (e.g. ‘GP to GP’ notes transfer) Use of routine data collections for quality improvement