The New Zealand Ministry of Health has negotiated a single digital services contract with Microsoft for the country's health and disability system.

WHAT IT'S FOR 

The agreement, executed by digital health services provider Spark Health, will deliver a number of benefits, including NZ$27 million ($18 million) in savings over three years and enhancements in cybersecurity protection. It is expected to support sector reforms, which cover the ministry, Health NZ, Maori Health Authority, and district health boards and their shared service agencies.

Worth NZ$45 million yearly, the Microsoft deal will also provide new health sector entities with IT and software services. 

The MoH on behalf of the health sector manages both Microsoft and Spark Health contracts.  

WHY IT MATTERS

The negotiated deal came as the MoH was due to renew its service contract with Microsoft this year. The ministry and DHB information chiefs have decided to consolidate their Microsoft license agreements as part of this renewal process. 

Normally, government agencies individually sign their contracts with Microsoft under a unified all-of-government head agreement negotiated by the Department of Internal Affair every three years. The health leaders see a single contract for the sector affording them "additional concessions".

In support, a shared strategic roadmap was also developed "to maximise value from the investment" and maintain the consistency of use of Microsoft technology across health agencies. Most of the contracted technology "underpins the digital services provided to primary and community health organisations, so it makes sense to be consistent," said Darren Douglass, group ​​manager for digital strategy and investment, data, and digital, at the MoH.

Meanwhile, the updated deal will see more cybersecurity tools deployed at public health services, improving protection and resilience to cyberattacks.

THE LARGER TREND

Alongside this announcement, the ministry also reported that it has devised a strategy and two-year action plan to enhance health data collection, management, use and sharing. Deputy Director-General for Data and Digital Shayne Hunter underscored the need for the health system to be effective in harnessing data to provide the "best possible health care or to ensure the system is equitable, sustainable and performing well". 

"Data is often duplicated, it’s not always digitised which makes it harder to access, and there are variations in the way information is recorded," he noted.

The Data and Information Strategy for Health and Disability focuses on engaging people about the collection and use of their personal health data; ensuring quality, accessible data; supporting a more cohesive system; and developing accessible digital health services.

Actions to carry out include developing a national health and disability data catalogue and dictionary; crafting equity measures for data standards; making ways for people to authorise others to access their health information; improving data literacy and capabilities in the health and disability workforce; and creating a health data sharing and accessibility framework.

As part of the roadmap, national and local health data governance councils will also be established to partner with Māori and consumers and to serve as representatives of local communities.

"There’s a lot of support for improving the way we manage, share and use data. As a sector, we began taking stock of what’s working well and where we need to improve prior to the health reforms but the transition to a new operating model for health and disability provides opportunities to really accelerate that work," Hunter stated.

ON THE RECORD

"It makes sense to take a more strategic approach across health agencies as we move to a new operating model for the health and disability system. That way we can get the most value from our investment for the benefit of health care for New Zealanders. Technology is a key enabler for the reforms and these arrangements give Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority the tools they need right from the start," Douglass said.