In last Tuesday's Australian, this blog's report of the demise of the Australian Health Information Council (AHIC) was confirmed. It is clear that AHIC is not presently operational and its chairman has resigned. Better news from the article was that meetings were underway to get together a new AHIC, to press on with the clearly vital work.
In the same article,the Health Department (via Kay McNiece, spokeswoman for Health Minister Tony Abbott )stated:
"The 2006-07 HealthConnect budget is $31.5 million," she said. "The funds will be used for the National E-Health Transition Authority's baseline work program, the implementation with Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory taking priority, and program running costs."
This seems to be a quite large sum of money for something that has seemed to be going nowhere and the question arises what are we actually getting for this money?
My suspicion is that the vast bulk of the funds is going to operate NEHTA and that virtually nothing at all is being spent on HealthConnect.
I wonder, can any readers of the blog who are aware of any HealthConnect branded activity actually happening please let us all know?
The simplest thing to do is e-mail to the address given on the "how to contact me" link at the top of the blog!
This will allow us all to know if HealthConnect is really alive or on its last and terminal gasp! I will report back with what I discover in a week or so. Of course any other "comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups" (as Crikey.com would have it) as well as tips about anything I have missed (good or bad) in the e-Health space would be more than welcome!
It's your blog..use it!
David.
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