Budget 2025: A Missed Opportunity To Build A Stronger, Smarter Health System
Digital and physical infrastructure go hand-in-hand, Jensen says. A new hospital building is only as effective as the systems that support it. If we get this right, well build not just for todays needsbut for tomorrows opportunities.
The Digital Health Association (DHA) believes Budget 2025 offers some encouraging steps but falls short of delivering the bold, strategic investment needed to modernise New Zealand's health system and unlock the full potential of digital innovation.
While we welcome targeted funding for 24/7 telehealth services, mental health response tools, PHARMAC's digital systems, and digital infrastructure for the new Dunedin Hospital, these initiatives remain isolated. What's still missing is a joined-up, long-term digital health investment strategy that connects the dots across the system.
'Digital health is no longer a future aspiration—it's the foundation of modern care,' says Ryl Jensen, CEO of the Digital Health Association. 'We're encouraged by some of the budget commitments, but there's a real opportunity here to go further. Our health system is at a crossroads. We can either continue to make incremental, patchwork changes, or we can take a bold step toward a connected, responsive health future.'
The DHA has long advocated for a national digital health strategy that ensures sustainable funding, strong system governance, and patient-centred data access. The reprioritisation of $380 million in funding last year—and a further $100 million reduction mid-year—left a significant gap in momentum. But the sector remains committed to being part of the solution.
'This is not about chasing headlines; it's about doing the groundwork for a safer, smarter health system,' says Jensen. 'Digital investment may not always be visible to the public, but its impact is—every time a doctor accesses the right information in time, every time a patient avoids repeating their story, every time care is coordinated across settings.'
Today, the DHA met with Health Minister Simeon Brown to discuss the path ahead. The Minister acknowledged the essential role digital plays in delivering effective care and reaffirmed his commitment to strong digital governance and infrastructure. The Minister also noted the importance of the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Plan and the potential for a new health infrastructure entity—something the DHA believes must have digital embedded from day one.
'Digital and physical infrastructure go hand-in-hand,' Jensen says. 'A new hospital building is only as effective as the systems that support it. If we get this right, we'll build not just for today's needs—but for tomorrow's opportunities.'
Other countries are showing what's possible. Australia continues to scale its digital investments. The UK allocates 8% of its health budget to digital. New Zealand currently sits at just 2.2%.
'We don't need to reinvent the wheel—we need to be willing to invest in it,' says Jensen. 'Young clinicians are telling us they hope to see integrated, supportive systems in their working lifetime. That's not just a tech challenge—it's a workforce and wellbeing issue.'
The DHA recently provided Minister Brown with five strategic recommendations to strengthen digital health delivery and outcomes across the system. As the peak body for digital health in New Zealand, the Association is committed to working alongside Government to turn these ideas into action.
'The message is simple: we're not just calling for change—we're offering to help build it,' says Jensen. 'Let's move from patching to planning, from delays to delivery. It's time to design a digital health system that works for everyone—patients, clinicians, and the communities they serve.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Pharmac To Update Access And Supply Of COVID-19 Treatments
Pharmac will simplify the criteria for people accessing COVID-19 antiviral medicines and will align the funding and supply of these medicines with its normal process. Pharmac currently funds two COVID-19 antivirals for people who meet the eligibility criteria. These antiviral medicines help to prevent people with a COVID-19 infection from becoming severely unwell. From 1 September 2025 the antivirals, nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (branded as Paxlovid) and remdesivir (branded as Veklury) will be funded for all people aged 50 years or over with an active COVID-19 infection who are at high risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19. 'This will simplify the existing criteria and will improve access to antivirals for people between 50 and 65 years who are high risk and not already eligible,' says Pharmac's Director Pharmaceuticals, Geraldine MacGibbon. People who can currently access funded COVID-19 antivirals will continue to have access to them under the updated access criteria. 'We're also changing how we manage the funding and supply of these medicines,' MacGibbon says. The management and supply of COVID-19 treatments was unique due to the need to respond to the pandemic, but Pharmac is now aligning the funding and supply of COVID-19 antivirals with its normal process. 'The change we are making will mean pharmacies and hospitals can order what they need from wholesalers and claim back costs from Pharmac. This change will align the management of COVID-19 antivirals with other funded medicines in New Zealand,' MacGibbon says. Decision to amend access to Covid-19 antivirals and change supply and reimbursement arrangements:
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Scoop
Pharmac Expands Access To Meningococcal B Vaccine For Children Under 5
Pharmac is extending access to the meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero), with up to 77,000 more children able to benefit. From 1 September 2025, all children under five years of age will be eligible for funded doses of Bexsero, regardless of whether they started or completed their vaccine course in their first year. This replaces the current catch-up programme, which ends on 31 August 2025. The vaccine is already part of the childhood immunisation schedule for children up to 12 months of age. The new eligibility criteria mean that children who missed earlier doses can still be protected. 'We know how serious meningococcal disease can be, especially for young children,' says Pharmac's Manager Pharmaceuticals Adrienne Martin. 'By expanding access, we're helping families complete their child's vaccine course and improving protection for those most at risk.' Children under five are the most vulnerable to serious illness from meningococcal disease. This change supports better protection for this high-risk group and makes it easier for families to access the vaccine. 'This decision is about removing barriers,' says Martin. 'We want to ensure that no child misses out on protection just because they couldn't complete their vaccine course in their first year.' Health New Zealand's National Public Health Director Dr Nick Chamberlain says it welcomes Pharmac's decision to extend access to the meningococcal B vaccine. 'Pharmac's move to extend access to Bexsero for all children under five is a significant step forward in protecting those most vulnerable to meningococcal disease. 'This change brings clarity for the health sector and removes barriers for families, making it easier to complete the vaccine course. Health New Zealand will continue working closely with providers to support the rollout and ensure eligible children receive this important protection,' said Dr Chamberlain. While the eligibility criteria for older children and adults at higher risk remain unchanged, Pharmac has clarified the wording to make it easier to understand. Teenagers and young adults living in shared accommodation, such as boarding schools, halls of residence, military barracks, and prisons, continue to be eligible under the current rules.
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Meningococcal vaccine funding for all children under five
People who missed earlier doses could still be protected, potentially benefiting up to 77,000 more children. Thousands more children will be offered free protection against potentially deadly meningococcal B as Pharmac has decided to expand eligibility for the vaccine. From September 1, the government's drug-buying agency will fund the Bexsero vaccine for all children aged under five, regardless of whether they started or completed their course before turning one. This replaced the current catch-up programme which ends on August 31. Pharmac pharmaceuticals manager Adrienne Martin said under-fives were "the most vulnerable to serious illness from meningococcal disease". "This decision is about removing barriers. "We want to ensure that no child misses out on protection just because they couldn't complete their vaccine course in their first year." The vaccine was already part of the immunisation schedule for babies in their first year of life. The new criteria means those who missed earlier doses could still be protected, potentially benefiting up to 77,000 more children. Dr Nick Chamberlain, Health New Zealand's national public health director, said the decision was a significant step forward in protecting children. "This change brings clarity for the health sector and removes barriers for families, making it easier to complete the vaccine course. "Health New Zealand will continue working closely with providers to support the rollout and ensure eligible children receive this important protection." Teenagers and young adults living in shared accommodation (such as boarding schools, halls of residence, military barracks and prisons) continue to be eligible under current rules.
