Media Releases and Communiques
New National entity to drive E-Health
Australian Health Ministers, meeting today in Sydney, endorsed arrangements to establish a new national entity to drive forward critical e-health initiatives.
28 January 2005
Joint Communique
Australian Health Ministers, meeting today in Sydney, endorsed arrangements to establish a new national entity to drive forward critical e-health initiatives.Health Ministers noted the achievements to date of the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) in progressing national priorities on behalf of all jurisdictions, and agreed that collaborative arrangements would be formalised.
“E-health systems and processes offer very real opportunities to improve patient care and the efficiency of health services. It is important that all jurisdictions work together to set the foundations for a more connected system”, Chair of the Australian Health Ministers’ Council, Minister Peter Toyne said.
Ministers agreed to establish the new entity as a company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of directors made up of CEOs from Health Departments across Australia.
Ministers endorsed-in-principle the 3 year work program for the entity. In addition to funding of $9.5M already committed for 2004-05 priorities, Ministers agreed to provide $18.2M over 3 years from 2005-06 to fund the core activities of the entity. These activities include: the development of timelines for the urgent advancement of the e-health agenda; option assessment and business case development; standards development and implementation support; and provision of advice and resources to assist implementation of already agreed solutions.
Ministers noted the need for further cooperation on significant national projects over the coming years, including in the following key areas:
- Clinical Data Standards and Terminologies;
- Patient, Provider and Product/Services Standards and Directories / Indexes;
- Consent Models;
- Secure Messaging and Information Transfer;
- User Authentication and Access Control;
- Technical Integration Standards;
- Supply Chain;
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) Standards; and
- Health Informatics Industry Reform
Note: Due to the forthcoming State election, the Western Australian Minister for Health did not participate in the meeting, and was not in a position to endorse the agreed approach. Western Australia’s involvement in the establishment of the new entity will be pursued after the State election next month.
Media Contacts: Elise Wherry, National E-Health Transition Authority, 0402 890 534
Richard O’Leary, Media Advisor for NT Minister for Health (Chair) 0401 119 586
Ben Wilson, NSW Minister for Health Media Advisor 0407 966 083
