What Does the Acting NEHTA CEO Need to do Pronto?

With the resignation of NEHTA’s old CEO major change is needed promptly.

If I were to be asked I would suggest the following.

1. Publish all the consulting advice that NEHTA has received so all stakeholders can form a view as to just what is worthwhile in what NEHTA has commissioned, and understand what NEHTA has been advised to assess just how reasonable past actions have been.

2. Release, for stakeholder comment, all completed or near completed project working papers for stakeholder comment to ensure alignment of NEHTA’s activities with present needs.

3. Appoint the new independent Board Members ASAP.

4. Give all those who work for NEHTA a 2 day detailed course in health sector values and culture so they understand just who it is they are actually working for to develop systems for.

5. Ensure everyone at NEHTA recognises that there is more to the health system than is represented by the present Board and that these clients have been virtually totally ignored for the last 4 years. GPs, Specialists, Private Hospitals, Diagnostic Providers, Vendors and so on all need a voice.

6. That NEHTA adopt a mode of dealing with the Health Sector appropriate for its role as a service provider and supporter to the sector and not as an arrogant director and instructor.

7. Work out just who are the clients for the Identifier Systems and engage them quickly to understand just what market really needs and ensure it will be delivered.

8. Review all other programs and decide how they need to be modified to suit the health sector’s current requirements.

9.Establish SNOMED CT delivery as a dedicated and separate entity with its own budget and funding.

10. Establish a good working relationship with the Health Informatics Society, the Australian College of Health Informatics and the Coalition for e-Health.

11. That NEHTA participate fully, properly and respectfully in Standards Australia development processes as all other stakeholders already do.

12 Sort out just what this ScriptX plan actually means. See blog before last!

Transparency, respect, co-operation and understanding of the sector are vital for success!

All I can do is wish Andrew Howard the best of British good luck!

David.