I published a blog on the first of the month with this title:
Sunday, February 01, 2015
It Looks Like E-Health Standards Setting In Australia Has Gone Down The Gurgler. Just Astonishing!
Here is the link:
Last week we then had this appear:
HL7 Australia announces new team for 2015
- 18 February 2015
Today HL7 Australia named two new part time staff to assist with the implementation of the HL7 Australia 2014-2015 Strategic Plan.
Associate Professor Trish Williams, Chair of HL7 Australia said, “We are delighted we have been able to attract two such experienced staff who are keen bring their expertise and energy to support the volunteer HL7 Australia Board and the HL7 user community. HL7 Australia works to supports the creation and effective use of e health standards in Australia and these new appointments will assist us enormously.”
Bridget Kirkham will be assisting with increasing HL7’s profile, membership, third party relationships and advocacy. Bridget has been working for not-for profits in health for over 30 years in Australia, the UK and the USA.
Paul Frosdick will be developing the education and certification programs to develop the skills and knowledge of the membership and the wider informatics community. In addition Paul will be helping re-establish local HL7 Standards Development governance and processes in accordance with HL7 International principles and practice. Paul brings a rich background in IHTSDO as a contributor and past committee member and a wide experience in clinical terminology, informatics and clinical safety.
The current agreement with Standards Australia for HL7 Standards development has been terminated. HL7 Australia will be announcing in the near future, the new arrangements for a comprehensive, localised HL7 Standards publication and maintenance process. HL7 Standards previous published by Standards Australia will continue to be available free-of-charge from http://www.e-health.standards.org.au/Home/Publications.aspx
Media Enquiries: Trish Williams, Chair HL7 Australia Tel: +61 8 6304 5039
Mob 0412 322 999
email: Chair@HL7.org.au
More here:
Paragraph 4 says it all.
This extract from a recent HL7 e-mail makes it even clearer:
“Dear HL7 Community member
The current agreement with Standards Australia for HL7 Standards development has runs its course and has been completed. In the near future, HL7 Australia will be announcing new arrangements for a comprehensive, localised HL7 Standards publication and maintenance process. HL7 Standards previous published by Standards Australia will continue to be available free-of-charge from
www.e-health.standards.org.au/Home/Publications.aspx.
www.e-health.standards.org.au/Home/Publications.aspx.
As discussed at the AGM, a plan has been put in place to move HL7 Australia forward in terms of HL7 member benefits and engagement, and HL7 standards development. HL7 Australia supports the HL7 user community by championing and coordinating the development of standards as well as facilitating good practice implementation and use. Australia is recognised as a world leader in the adoption and development of the HL7 family of standards fostering rich communication which leads to better health outcomes for Australians. HL7 is the local Affiliate of HL7 International, and membership represents more than 90% of the information system vendors serving health services.
Members of HL7 Australia and the Board have voiced concerns for some time about the governance and process used in standards development for HL7 standards. HL7 Australia is addressing this by developing a consistent and responsive HL7 Standards development process in Australia. This will mean we will be engaging more with you, the HL7 Australia Community, and be responsive to your needs and capabilities.
The guiding principles for the HL7 Australia standards development governance and process include:
- balance of influence in technical committees;
- development by consensus with formal resolution of all comments;
- transparency in committee meetings and proceedings;
- retention of HL7 Community derived IP for the benefit of the HL7 Australia membership;
- closer relationship between the HL7 International and HL7 Australia communities;
- adherence to HL7 International requirements for use of IP and registered trademarks;
- leveraging HL7 International processes and capabilities; and
- providing online resources for managing localised HL7 terminologies and implementation resources.
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Lots more covering the staff changes mentioned above follows.
A quick look at this link will show just how many Australian standards depend on HL7:
NEHTA and DoH should just hang their heads in shame that it has come to this.
HL7 should never have been forced - as they surely have been - into this announcement and position. Good on all involved for showing just how naked the claimed Australian emperors of e-Health are!
What a total fiasco.
David.
We all know who the principle architect behind this fiasco is, game over I guess, well at least it is while some are still poisoning the well. Be interesting to see how this plays out.
ReplyDeleteI shared your sentiments David, and good on HL7 for stepping in, the last 3-4 years has been a terrible time for standards development in some quarters, makes you wonder why so much talent has been forced away from NEHTA recently.
"We all know who the principle architect behind this fiasco is"
ReplyDeleteWho is responsible for this??
February 22, 2015 8:17 PM .... we all DO NOT know.
ReplyDelete