Information about patient blogs on health information technology





 

Australian Health Information Technology
========================================

This blog has only three major objectives.
The first is to inform readers of news and happenings in the e-Health
domain, both here in Australia and world-wide.

The second is to provide commentary on what seems to have become the
lamentable state of e-Health in Australia and to foster improvement.
The third, sadly, is now to try and force accountability for the
actions of, and the funds spent, by NEHTA.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
-----------------------
This Anonymous Comment Needs More Exposure and for Lots of Reasons.

Anonymous said...
David, not sure that this sort of "national enquirer" commentary
really helps your status as a noted member of the e-health community.

Although I share your concerns, I simply don't believe that it is
possible to divine the internal machinations of government by just
looking at what is publicly released. There is SO much more happening
behind the scenes that punters never get to see.
The tar-drip speed of progress can be mind-bending, but I am sure that
the staff in government (including ALL of the people at DoHA and NEHTA
who live and breathe this too) want to get it going. And they haven't
stopped working yet. Nothing at COAG is final until the meeting is
over.

Think more broadly for a moment: health identifiers are really
close, national health reform is the dominant government story in the
news right now, every health department is working at local e-health
projects, PIP messaging vendors are making great progress, and the big
defence e-health tender has just asked the open market to build a real
implementation of almost all the technical elements outlined in the
national e-health strategy.
There has never been a better set of circumstances to get the fire
started. Don't let the smoke get in your eyes...

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 10:27:00 PM
----- End Comment.

Let us think what is being said here.
1. Anything useful that is happening is happening behind the scenes
and no one other than the ‘in crowd’ can know.

2. The fact that the progress has been minimal for the last 5 years
does not mean that great things are not close.
3. NEHTA and DoHA are toiling away on this and we should all trust
that they will sort it out – and they don’t need anyone’s help.

4. You and the readers do not know what is going on and apparently nor
should you.
5. Lie back, enjoy and trust us – and all will be well.

Now all this may be true, but the evidence we have from the press:
See here:

http://aushealthit.blogspot.com/2010/04/and-this-lot-think-they-can-implement.html
and from Senate Estimates seems to suggest it is just not true.

If you accept this stuff you must also believe in fairies in my view.
I must be a ‘doubting Thomas’ who wants evidence, and after all these
years I am one who has totally lost trust in the sort of person who
thinks it is useful to post this material – but is so scared of their
bosses they can’t use their name.
I am really rather ashamed of a country where this secrecy would be
seen as normal behaviour – but maybe things have changed now we have
Mr Rudd and Ms Roxon in charge.

It is now a decade since serious plans were outlined for a National
E-Health approach with Health Online and we have hardly moved in terms
of practical national delivery – accepting that some projects are
seemingly making headway – but at a really ‘tar-drip’ speed - other
than the essentially private initiatives around GP computing and
messaging supported by some quite limited funds.
I also find it really silly that the details of any NEHTA / DoHA
proposal to COAG or following meetings are not being discussed and
reviewed openly. Perfect wisdom these people do not have – trust me on
this small point! Let us be also totally clear the IEHR and Personally
Controlled EHR proposals are both very bad and ill considered ideas
that should not be funded.

Manifest leadership, strategy, co-ordination, support, planning and so
on are just absent - and in this environment we all know little of
value is ever achieved.
Everyone knows who I am. Anonymous who are you to tell us you know
better and that we should just relax and enjoy?

David.
Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Tuesday, April 13, 2010 1
comments

Reactions:
Links to this post

We Are Led by Clueless Incompetent Nitwits. They Just Can’t Work Out
What to Do – Pathetic!
The final offer for the COAG Health Reform Plan was released
yesterday.

It was entitled:
A National Health And Hospitals Network: Further Investments In
Australia’s Health

You can find the document here:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/nhhn-report-2

On page 92 of the document we find the sole mention of e-Health
Next Steps

The Government will continue to make further investments in the
National Health and Hospitals Network, in both the priority areas
discussed in this document, and in additional important areas such as
mental health, dental care and preventive health.
In mental health, while some progress has been made in recent years in
providing more services to people with common conditions such as
depression and anxiety, the system is not currently meeting the needs
of certain groups of people with mental illness. In particular, young
people with or at risk of mental illness are not accessing the timely
care they need.

In dental health, many Australians experience poor access to dental
care – often because there are not enough dentists and dental
professionals. Current estimates project there will be a shortfall of
2.3 million dental services in 2020. People who are socially and
economically disadvantaged are much more likely to have poor dental
health. The Government is committed to expanding access to dental care
in Australia, for example through the establishment of the Medicare
Teen Dental Plan.
The Government recognises there is much more to be done to improve
access to mental health services and dental care.

Obesity, tobacco and alcohol misuse are the key common risk factors
for a range of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer and
cardiovascular disease. Since 2007 the Commonwealth Government has
made unprecedented investments in prevention, committing $872 million
through COAG for preventive health programs to be rolled out in
schools, workplaces and communities to help individuals modify their
lifestyles to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Nonetheless, the
Government recognises there is scope for targeted further action to
build on these important measures.
In addition, e-Health reforms will work to provide additional
foundations to support improvements to the quality and efficiency of
care across the National Health and Hospitals Network. The Government
will be making further announcements on these reforms over the coming
weeks and months.

Can you believe it? Weeks and months as Dr Oliver Frank, who sent me
the document exclaimed! How long do we have to wait given we have
known this is an issue since even Minister Abbott admitted he was
struggling with the whole area in 2006-7!
Both sides of politics seem to be just utterly clueless and stupid.

What is going on is now utterly clear.
The work on E-Health done by NEHTA and DoHA is so hopeless that the
Government was not even prepared to put it to COAG – for fear of being
laughed out of the room!

I hope they can find someone who has a clue to help them and soon – or
the overall quality of any Health Reform is doomed in my view.
The credibility of Mr Rudd and Ms Roxon in Health is basically shot as
far as I am concerned. It is frankly terrifying that these people and
their highly paid bureaucrats are in charge of what now looks like
rendering terrible harm to a health system which, while stressed. does
not need an axe taken to it - without real confidence some good will
result.

Has someone told them there is actually a quite reasonable National
E-Health Strategy they could get started with?
David.

Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Tuesday, April 13, 2010 3
comments
Reactions:

Links to this post
AusHealthIT Man Poll Number 15 – Results - 13 April, 2010.

The question was:
Should NEHTA Be Attempting To Displace The Current Secure Messaging
Providers?

Absolutely
  • 7 (17%)
If There Is a Major Benefit to Clincians
  • 10 (25%)
If There Will Be Savings Long Term
  • 2 (5%)
They Should Let the Market Decide
  • 13 (33%)
Absolutely No Way
  • 7 (17%)
Total Votes: 39.

Comment:
I will leave the interpretation of the results to the reader. For me
it seems clear that a significant number do not want NEHTA just using
its Government mandate to disrupt already satisfactorily operating
e-Health Infrastructure without some very good reason.

Thanks again to all who voted.
David.

Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Tuesday, April 13, 2010 0
comments
Reactions:

Links to this post
And This Lot Think They Can Implement Health Reform? Not a Snowflake’s
Chance in Hell.

The following appeared in the Australian today – April 13, 2010.
Work yet to start on e-health identifier
----------------------------------------

Karen Dearne
From: The Australian

April 13, 2010 12:00AM
SIX months after assuring a Senate committee that the National
E-Health Transition Authority was working with primary care software
firms over the proposed national Healthcare Identifier system, the
federal Health Department has conceded work is yet to begin.

"Currently there are no implementation projects within primary care
being funded," a Health spokeswoman said last week.
The department was unable to supply a list of medical practice vendors
previously said to be working with Nehta on an "implementation
pathway" -- originally requested by Queensland Liberal Senator Sue
Boyce in February amid questions about Nehta's activities.

.....
The Australian queried the list provided to the Senate, as many of the
firms are not involved in the primary care software sector.

"As the work is still in its early stages, there is no list of primary
care vendors currently available, other than those involved in the
secure messaging work," the departmental spokeswoman said.
"The information is not incorrect.”

More here:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/work-yet-to-start-on-e-health-identifier/story-e6frgakx-1225852940454

Well sometimes the small articles are the really important ones!
The Orwellian quote "The information is not incorrect” just leaps from
page and leaves one gasping!

After all the nonsense from DoHA and NEHTA about implementation dates
and timetables for the HI Service the actual activity seems to be
essentially a big fat zero.
This can’t be much less that systematic deception of the Senate,
Ministers and the public can it?

No wonder, they are struggling to agree an approach to e-Health under
the Rudd / Roxon health reform plan with this dazzling level of
competence.
As an e-mail correspondent put it. ‘Off with their heads – the lot of
them’!

Wanders off into the night sadly shaking head in disbelief!
David.

Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Tuesday, April 13, 2010 0
comments
Reactions:

Links to this post
This Really Can’t Be Seen as a Full Package – What is Going On?

From the SMH this morning.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/elective-surgery-when-you-need-it-rudds-bold-pledge-20100412-s442.html

Elective surgery when you need it: Rudd's bold pledge
-----------------------------------------------------
MARK METHERELL HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

April 13, 2010
THE Prime Minister has set his government the ambitious goal of
ensuring that virtually all Australians needing elective surgery will
get their operations in clinically recommended times.

Kevin Rudd last night released the final section of his of health
reform proposals, a $650 million boost over four years to finance his
promise that 95 per cent of patients get timely treatment.
But the government is holding back on declaring plans for four big
problem areas previously targeted for reform: mental health, dental
health, preventive health measures for obesity and alcohol abuse, and
''E-health'' or electronic health records.

This is despite the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission's
''Denticare'' recommendation to ensure dental care for all Australians
and its call for patient-controlled electronic health records to
enable safer and more efficient care.
More here:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/elective-surgery-when-you-need-it-rudds-bold-pledge-20100412-s442.html
Does anyone understand why after all the reviews and discussion, all
the reports and consultation we find ourselves in this mess – with
grumpy Premiers and a determined PM just storming on?

I sure don’t.
David.

Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Tuesday, April 13, 2010 2
comments
Reactions:

Links to this post
Monday, April 12, 2010
----------------------

Yup - E-Health is Being Ignored! - Really Sad News.
Just listening to ABC's PM.

It seems the last roll of the dice is more funding for elective
surgery ($600M over 4 years).
It will fund 90,000 surgeries over 4 years.

No money if the States do not sign on!
This is apparently the last offer for the COAG Meeting to be held on
April 16, 2010.

The Premiers are chatting over the phone tonight to consider the final
offer.
Mental Health and e-Health are totally left out it would seem.

Sad news and a reflection that NEHTA / DoHA can't put any convincing
case for e-Health to Government.
Just pathetic!

David. Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Monday, April 12,
2010 7 comments
Reactions:

Links to this post
We Must Be the Next Cab off the Rank - Or Will E-Health Again be
Ignored?

Think back a little over a month ago and we had the following from the
Health Reform Team (Rudd / Swan / Roxon et al).
A National Health and Hospitals Network for Australia’s Future
--------------------------------------------------------------

Joint Release
-------------
Prime Minister

Treasurer
Minister for Health and Ageing
  1. March 2010
The Rudd Government today announced major structural reforms to
Australia’s health and hospital system.

The Government will deliver better health services and better
hospitals by establishing a National Health and Hospitals Network.
This new national network will be funded nationally and run locally.

These reforms represent the biggest changes to Australia’s health and
hospital system since the introduction of Medicare, and one of the
most significant reforms to the federation in its history.
A National Network: to bring together eight disparate State run
 systems with one set of tough national standards to drive and
 deliver better hospital services.

Funded nationally: by taking the dominant funding role in the
 entire public hospital system the Australian Government will end
 the blame game, eliminate waste and shoulder the burden of funding
 to meet rapidly rising health costs.
Run locally: through Local Hospital Networks bringing together
 small groups of hospitals, where local professionals with local
 knowledge are given the necessary powers to deliver hospital
 services to their community.

..... Lots left out from the middle or release.
On the basis of these reforms, over the coming weeks and months, the
Government will announce critical additional investments to:

train more doctors and nurses;
increase the availability of hospital beds;

improve GP services; and
introduce personally-controlled electronic health records.

The establishment of the National Health and Hospitals Network builds
on record investments in health and hospitals made by the Rudd
Government over the last two years.
----- End Release.

The full release is here:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-nr-nr038.htm

Now of that list of additional announcements that we were told were
coming we have now had (over the last 2-3 weeks) the following:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-nr-nr046.htm

Building a National Health and Hospitals Network - Training a Record
Number of Doctors
--------------------------------------------------------------------
and

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-je-je027.htm
Building an Australian Aged Care System: Commonwealth to Take Complete
Responsibility for Aged Care
----------------------------------------------------------------------

and
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-nr-nr064.htm

Strengthening Primary Care in Local Communities
-----------------------------------------------
The primary care area is important and is explained in more detail
here:

Divisions will become primary health care organisations
-------------------------------------------------------
by Michael Woodhead

Regional primary health care organisations will be built from the
existing network of Divisions of GPs “so that they don’t create
additional bureaucracy” the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced
today.
In an statement made in conjunction with health minister Nicola Roxon,
the PM confirmed that a network of primary health care organisations
will be set up as recommended in the National Health and Hospitals
Reform Commission

He said the first primary health care organisations will be
established by mid 2011, with funding to be confirmed in the May
Budget.
The function of the new PHCOs will be to work with proposed Local
Health and Hospital Networks to improve the delivery of integrated
care, particularly for people with chronic diseases, he said.

More here:
http://www.6minutes.com.au/articles/z1/view.asp?id=515208

and here:
Govt reveals plans for division-primary care evolution
------------------------------------------------------

12th Apr 2010
Shannon McKenzie

THE landscape of primary care is set to be overhauled with the Federal
Government today unveiling plans to transform divisions of general
practice into primary health care organisations.
The move has long been expected following its recommended by two
independent think tanks – the National Health and Hospitals Reform
Commission and the Primary Health Care Strategy External Reference
Group – last year.

According to plans announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Health
Minister Nicola Roxon the primary health care organisations (PHCOs)
will ensure better collaboration between primary health care, allied
health and hospital services.
PHCOs will also work to identify groups that are unable to access
primary care services, and will have a particularly focus in securing
services for patients with chronic conditions.

The Government also flagged a larger role for the PHCOs down the
track.
More here:

http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/govt-reveals-plans-for-divisionprimary-care-evolution
In addition we have had announcements on regional cancer centres,
diabetic care and indeed a pretty big one on emergency care over the
last weekend.

See here:
Rudd's emergency ward funds welcomed
------------------------------------

April 11, 2010
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has put another sweetener on the table to
help get the states and territories to agree to his health reform
package.

He has offered $500 million in funding to help cut waiting times in
public hospital emergency wards.
Under the plan, hospitals will be given $150 million to help improve
services in emergency departments from July this year.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says another $350 million will be
allocated to hospitals that meet targets to cut waiting times.
More here:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/11/2869586.htm
As Peter Cundall was prone to saying this now – after the rush of
releases on today – April 12, 2010 – looks like ‘your bloomin’ lot’,
except for e-Health.

Both ends of the hospital system are now at least partially
de-stressed, more docs and other staff and more primary and preventive
care – all we need is some decent co-ordination as E-Health could help
provide.
One gets the sense that with a good number of Premiers seemingly not
all that happy and a number of expert commentators coming out and
saying the Brumby Plan needs a close look – the ground might be moving
to a rather more consultative approach as to how reform is to get
done.

One thing that must change is that we are told – and soon – what the
e-Health plans are – so that if they are as absurd as we seem to be
hearing from both Melbourne (IEHR’s) and Canberra (
personally-controlled electronic health records) there will be some
comment time available to push for more sensible and strategic first
steps.
We have waited for a long time for some sensible funds to back up
implementing the National E-Health Strategy. This has the feel that
the last roll of the dice is very near indeed!

David.
Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Monday, April 12, 2010 0
comments

Reactions:
Links to this post

Sunday, April 11, 2010
----------------------
Formal Blog Policy Change - Comment Rejection Policy

Over the last few weeks I have noticed an increase in the number of
Anonymous comments that are personally rather than content and ideas
directed.
As of now, these comments will simply be rejected at my total
discretion. Any comment related to the content of and ideas contained
in the blog - other than those fussing about punctuation, grammar and
the like - will, of course, be published.

If there is an error in these areas - e-mail works fine and I will do
my best to fix the issue if I can work out what it is!
I simply will not tolerate Anonymous personal abuse and will not
publish same here. On the other had the free flow of ideas and
discussion is greatly valued by both myself and the readers I believe.
Be assured I will do nothing to censor the free flow of ideas -
cookey, wrong headed or not!

Anonymous posting serves a useful function here, but life is just too
short to put up with Anonymous and abusive smart asses - most of whom
are pushing paid agendas.
If you don't like the policy set up your own blog and go for it!

David.
p.s. My policy of simply rejecting comments trying to insert
commercial links to potency pills, fraudulent offers and the like will
also remain.

D. Posted by Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI at Sunday, April 11, 2010 0
comments
Reactions:

Links to this post Older Posts Home Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Should a National Health Reform Plan be Agreed at COAG without a
Detailed E-Health Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------

About Me
--------
My Photo

Dr David More MB, PhD, FACHI
      I am vitally interested in making a difference to the quality,
      safety and efficiency of Health Care in Australia through the
      use of information technology.
There is no choice.. it has to be made to work!

That is the reason the blog exists and why I keep typing :-)
David.

NB - All original content on the blog is copyright - Dr David G.
More. The rest is owned by the content creators!
Disclaimer - Please note all the commentary are personal views
based on the best evidence available to me - If I have it wrong
let me know!

Everyone should know I am easy to contact
(davidgm@optusnet.com.au) and am happy to modify posts if you
believe they may not be accurate or true.
View my complete profile

FeedBurner
Reader Count
------------
Search This Blog
----------------

Loading...
Twitter Feed Button
-------------------

HIT Sphere - The Health IT Blog Aggregator
------------------------------------------
 

Share it
--------
Recent Comments
---------------

For E-Mail Alerts to New Posts Enter your E-Mail Address:
Delivered by FeedBurner

Interesting E-Health Links
--------------------------
Atom Feed for Blog

Australian College of Health Informatics
E-Health Risk Blog from Canada

Health Informatics Society of Australia
Health IT Blog Aggregator

HealthCare IT Guy's Blog
New Matilda Magazine Health Page

Shadz's Health IT Blog
Subscribe To Blog
-----------------
PostsAtom
PostsAll Comments
AtomAll Comments
Blog Archive
------------

▼ 2010 (177)
▼ April (22)

This Anonymous Comment Needs More Exposure and for...
We Are Led by Clueless Incompetent Nitwits. They J...

AusHealthIT Man Poll Number 15 – Results - 13 Apri...
And This Lot Think They Can Implement Health Refor...

This Really Can’t Be Seen as a Full Package – What...
Yup - E-Health is Being Ignored! - Really Sad News...

We Must Be the Next Cab off the Rank - Or Will E-H...
Formal Blog Policy Change - Comment Rejection Poli...

Weekly Australian Health IT Links - 12-04-2010.
Crikey’s Health Blog Finds a Great Little Story! S...

Weekly Overseas Health IT Links 07-04-2010.
Victoria Makes A Counter Offer to The Commonwealth...

Now Here Is a Good Place for Mr Rudd to Spend some...
Weekly Australian Health IT Links - 06-04-2010.

Health Affairs Publishes A Issue Covering Health I...
A Question That Has Been Confusing Me!

Last Chance to Comment on E-Health and the NHHN Ar...
AusHealthIT Man Poll Number 14 – Results - 5 April...

Consent is Not Going Away as an Important Issue. A...
The US Produces Another Interesting Report and Als...

Weekly Overseas Health IT Links 01-04-2010.
Problems With the NHS Shared Record. Any Lessons T...

► March (66)
ArgusConnect Asks Some Hard Questions. Some Clear ...

A Serial Commenter Who Has Something Important to ...
The Australian National Health and Hospitals Netwo...

Weekly Australian Health IT Links - 28-03-2010.
A Bit of a Landmark Passed. 250,000 Page Views!

The Blog Has A New Look
AusHealthIT Man Poll Number 13 – Results - 26 Marc...

Weekly Overseas Health IT Links 23-03-2010.
AusHealthIT Blog To Be Preserved by the National L...

A National Expert Speaks out on the Looming Disast...
Now Here Would Be a Great Briefing To Attend and A...

Denmark Shows It How Might Be Done And Indeed is A...
This Blog and A History of Getting it Close To Rig...

Talk About a Waste of A Bit Over an Hour!
This Report Will be a Worry to iSoft Shareholders ...

An Australian E-Health Prophet Being Noticed Overs...
Obama Passes Health Reform in the USA

The Silliest Press Release We Have Ever Seen from ...
COAG Meeting Deferred Until April, 19 2010

Weekly Australian Health IT Links - 21-03-2010.
A Couple of Interesting White Papers from CSC’s He...

Weekly Overseas Health IT Links 18-03-2010.
Just So You Know - A Rumour About Extra NEHTA Fund...

And You Think NEHTA has Improved Do You? I am Not ...
AusHealthIT Man Poll Number 12 – Results - 17 Marc...

Weekly Australian Health IT Links - 17-03-2010.
What Will Happen Next With the Health Identifier B...

Sudden Increase in E-Health Blogging in Australia....
► February (51)

► January (38)
► 2009 (420)

► December (42)
► November (42)

► October (37)
► September (32)

► August (34)
► July (44)

► June (34)
► May (31)

► April (26)
► March (38)

► February (32)
► January (28)

► 2008 (316)
► December (36)

► November (29)
► October (30)

► September (26)
► August (25)

► July (26)
► June (27)

► May (26)
► April (25)

► March (26)
► February (21)

► January (19)
► 2007 (239)

► December (27)
► November (22)

► October (23)
► September (21)

► August (26)
► July (23)

► June (21)
► May (18)

► April (16)
► March (16)

► February (13)
► January (13)

► 2006 (111)
► December (14)

► November (16)
► October (11)

► September (11)
► August (11)

► July (7)
► June (4)

► May (11)
► April (11)

► March (15)
FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed
-------------------------

Feedjit Live Blog Stats
Site Meter

Awesome Inc. template by Tina Chen. Powered by Blogger.
off me with patient blogs on health information technology he him between both she while yours all
surely into look ourselves at
after below such and i each from than
above our this hers about was too from such while to only own again himself patient blogs on health information technology surely me
theirs too any again this myself over here
below such no no
itself i so Like, you until should be some all
being yours any about am to where surely she could below munchies yourself about
itself during until we ourselves being visit - there between patient blogs on health information technology up but
that under before at too surely surely because these his having her do be down look before
how patient blogs on health information technology when me again is with all myself them ours up
during down he them having you because very it the into
i under she than visit - me up some all
he while few into he too know or below she other after information on health and safety in the work place on
look information on health and safety in the work place were down into she all so should where while than munchies which
our through some there which during can he more could hello