One Really Does Have to Wonder!

Being a slow Sunday afternoon (a week or so back) just after everyone has gone back to work after the summer holidays, I thought it would be a good time to have a quick look at the new and improved NEHTA web site.

Overall it looks good! Fast, easy to read and now having all the publications easily found and a special section for the newer ones so recent releases are easily found!

Thought I would check out the Links Section. Interesting finds here I must say! Six sites are included:

External Websites

1. Terminologies for the Australian Health Sector

This extranet contains the SNOMED CT download, and associated information on licensing, guides and tools. Access to the material is limited to those holding a current SNOMED CT license with NEHTA.

Comment: clearly a useful site for those needing access to SNOMED CT.

2. HealthConnect

HealthConnect aims to improve the flow of information across the Australian health sector.

Comment: Last updated February 2006 (on the site)with the latest news again seemingly posted in February 2006. This shows just how active the supposed central e-Health Project is in Australia – or maybe its all happening in secret and we will be told later! The site is a total mish-mash of just old and really archival material.

3. Healthelink EHR

NSW Health is piloting a new electronic health record called Healthelink in parts of NSW.

Comment: An invaluable site where an initiative begun before NEHTA was a twinkle in any-ones’ eye is referenced and where the last word in a non-NEHTA compliant privacy approach is being proudly deployed!

4. Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council

The Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) charter is to provide effective and efficient support to the Australian Health Ministers' Conference.

Comment: A web site of a few press releases where the closest thing to e-health mentioned in the last 12 months seems to be the announcement of the removal of State legislative barriers to e-prescribing by March 2007.

5. AHIC - Australian Health Information Council

The Australian Health Information Council (AHIC) advises Health Ministers on how information management and information and communication technology can be harnessed in health care.

Comment: Here is what I got on 20 February, 2007 – and have for the last 3-4 months.

Server not found

Firefox can't find the server at www.ahic.org.au.

* Check the address for typing errors such as ww.example.com instead of www.example.com

* If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection.

* If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make surethat Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

Overall one would have expected just a little better from a brand new site!

6. Standards Australia. Link to Standards Australia's website.

(Actually just the SA IT-14 Health IT Standards Site – not the full SA site.)

Comment: Interestingly this last entry appeared just in the last week or two – maybe following the exciting announcement of the new improved relationship between IT-14 and NEHTA.

This is a useful link so I will provide the URL:

http://www.e-health.standards.org.au/

Maybe next year’s revision could cover a more useful and informative collection of sites from around the country and the world. There is a lot going on out there. My personal top pick, along with an explanation of how the NEHTA projects and this project fit together would be to add the following link:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/access-card.htm

We live in hope!

David.