Southland and Otago District Health Boards have committed to a shared patient administration system after moves to align the six South Island district health boards in shared information systems proved too difficult.
The two have selected iSoft as the preferred vendor over rival IBA.
The software will provide an integrated, patient-centric information system that will allow hospitals, general practitioners and rural health centres to share information, allow access to patient records, and form the basis for electronic medical records.
Southland District Health Board notes in an internal newsletter that it has not invested significantly in information systems since 1990.
In April 2003, it sent a business case to the Ministry of Health for approval. This was rejected on the grounds that the board had not assessed adequate collaborative opportunities with other district health boards.
Talks with the other South Island health boards to try to align information systems and investment on a shared basis proved too onerous. Last October, just three boards – Southland, Otago and West Coast – decided to work together and short listed iSoft and IBA.
Last month, Southland and Otago committed to a shared patient administration system.
Health board representatives weren’t available for comment.
Capital and Coast Health is also in the market for a similar system and has short-listed the same two vendors. IBA was the one-time incumbent there before it was replaced by the subsequently unsuitable SMS system.