The Ministry of Health in New Zealand has developed a strategy and two-year action plan to improve the way health data is collected, managed, shared and used, says Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General Data and Digital, Shayne Hunter.

The Ministry has published a Data and Information Strategy for Health and Disability and an accompanying Roadmap outlining a set of actions across five priority areas.

The strategy supports the health and disability system reforms underway, with an emphasis on engaging with people about the collection and use of their personal health data, ensuring quality, accessible data, support a more cohesive system, and in the development of digital health services that are accessible and closer to home.

The actions include developing a national health and disability data catalogue and dictionary; developing equity measures for data standards; creating ways for people to authorise others to access their health information; improving data literacy and capabilities in the health and disability workforce; establishing national and local health data governance councils, to partner with consumers, and to be representative of local communities; and developing a health data sharing and accessibility framework.