Simpl Case Studies

Innovative purpose built software provides Hutt Valley District Health Board with integrated public health information.

Overview

Employing 1,700 people, HVDHB plans, prioritises and provides government-funded health care and disability support services for the 135,000 people living in the Hutt Valley. The DHB balances the public health needs of the community it serves with strong funding and planning management capabilities.

HVDHB's Regional Public Health Service encompasses more than ten public health teams operating in the greater Wellington area. The teams work across a wide range of areas, including communicable disease, health promotion, child health, health protection and Maori and Pacific People's health. Surveillance and reporting are key functions for the public health service. The Regional Health Surveillance System (RHSS), designed by Simpl and HVDHB, gives an integrated view of public health activities and stakeholders and provides consistent information for better monitoring and reporting.

Trusting Technology as Information Source

"Technology is just another tool for our staff," says HVDHB Chief Information Officer Tony Cooke. "We try to engender a culture where the computer is a trusted source of information, rather than cultivating a rarefied atmosphere around the technology."

"Having the RHSS online means staff can refer to an incident and get all associated documentation in one place. It gives us greater clarity of information, eases reporting and ultimately means our team is able to make better public health decisions," says Cooke.

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