NZ to introduce new National Health Index format

Te Whatu Ora is set to issue a new format for the National Health Index (NHI) from July 2026. 

The NHI provides a unique identifier to each New Zealand citizen from birth or their first health system interaction. From the AAA111# format, the NHI will transition to the new AAA11A# format. 

"The new format will be for new babies and people using the health system for the first time," Te Whatu Ora noted in a statement. 

Health IT providers were initially told to make necessary updates to their systems, devices, and processes for both current and new formats, which transition was set for October next year. The deadline was adjusted to give them more time to make this change. 

$6M for national health data projects

The Australian government has recently announced A$9.2 million ($6.2 million) in funding for four national-level health data projects. 

Based on a media release, the following projects will receive financial backing from the Medical Research Future Fund: 

• Murdoch Children’s Research Institute's "GenV: A linked national data asset for early and midlife health solutions" seeks to combine data from all babies across the country to support preventive healthcare for mothers and children.

• Monash University's "A National, Linked, Clinical Quality Registry for Cervical Cancer’" will link data on cervical cancer vaccination, screening and treatment rates. 

• University of New South Wales's "Fertility Medicine Data Asset for Australia: FM-DATA" aims to collate data on fertility, infertility and reproductive medicine. 

• University of Sydney's "Creating a National Congenital Heart Disease 'Knowledge Bank'." 

Franklin Hospital to implement new PAS

Franklin Hospital in New Zealand is implementing a new patient administration system. 

It recently awarded a contract to Orion for its PAS, which features a clinical portal, progress notes, a dynamic patient summary, theatre and endoscopy dashboards, and a results viewer. It also provides a comprehensive set of clinical workflow forms and integrates with key national systems. 

The Auckland-based hospital serves over 3,200 patients yearly. Specialising in endoscopy and surgical procedures, it required a solution providing "detailed, reliable patient and procedure records."

Commencing this month, September, the PAS project is expected to significantly reduce medical errors and relieve clinicians and staff of administrative burden. It is targeted to go live in April next year.