An Idea From The Reserve Bank of Australia NEHTA Could Follow.

Today the RBA released the minutes of their Board Meeting from two weeks ago, as they do after every meeting.

The minutes cover all the major areas of importance and explain the rationale of the Board's decision making. They are a real breath of fresh air for those who follow the markets and compare very well with what was done even 2-3 years ago.

What a good idea if NEHTA were to release Board Minutes two weeks after each of its meetings so the public and industry could assess the quality of the advice and decision making we are getting from the Board. I am sure the effect on confidence and the satisfaction with NEHTA's work would only be enhanced - assuming of course they were actually doing a good job.

Minutes of the Jurisdictional CIO Meetings should also be released a week or so after each meeting so what they are up to can also receive some small amount of scrutiny.

Sadly I suppose we would only get one line notes, like the SRF minutes, rather than any information but it could be worth a try!

Senate Estimates happen in public, and are fully documented, but it seems the mandarins who populate the NEHTA Board do not want anyone to assess and review their delivery of e-Health policy guidance for Australia.

I have to say if this approach is good enough for the RBA I really think it should be OK for NEHTA.

Pity that it seems unlikely to happen - knowing NEHTA. It could really make a positive difference. I bet the silence of the response to this suggestion is deafening! Were it to be made to happen, and done properly, it could only be a positive.

David.