In the modern high-technology environment, the ability to manage and exchange information quickly and securely is important. It is arguably even more important in the health and disability sector, because the quality of health services can depend on it.
Between 1991 and 2000 there were 3 successive health information strategies. Then, during 2001, for the first time a group from throughout the sector came together to consider information management and information technology needs. This group published its report in October 2001, entitled From Strategy to Reality – The WAVE Project (the WAVE Report).
The WAVE Report advised the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) of the sector’s recommendations for making more effective use of health information. The report contained 79 recommendations, including the “Top 10” priorities for action, and envisaged rapid change in 3 to 5 years, which is a demanding timetable.
We decided it was timely, around 3½ years after the WAVE Report was published, to audit whether the Ministry and the sector had made the progress they expected to make towards more effective use of health information.