Please see below message from the Ministry of Health in regards to the Patients First transition:
Kia ora koutou
You will have received advice from Patients First that from 31 December 2021 Patients First will cease operations and wind-up its business, products, and services.
The Ministry has been working with Patients First for some months to support the transition of the Ministry funded services that Patients First has provided to the sector. The Ministry acknowledges the work of Patients First and recognises the early vision of Patients First in focusing on technology as an enabler for improved care within a general practice context.
The services to be transitioned include:
- Technology operations for GP2GP patient transfer, terminology service, integration, and interoperability services
- A Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) supporting the New Zealand electronic Prescription Service (NZePS), GP2GP and MCIS (maternity).
- Primary care cybersecurity engagement
- Primary care sector and Practice Management System (PMS) vendor engagement
From the 17th of December 2021 the Ministry will be supporting all aspects of these services to ensure continuity of service and to engage with the sector to strengthen and modernise services commencing in 2022. We have assembled a team of people within the Ministry and through external partners to do that.
A few pointers as we lead up to Christmas related to the transition:
What do you need to do?
Nothing at this stage. The services previously provided by Patients Frist will remain in place, the only difference being it will be delivered by the Ministry.
What if there is a problem with a service from December 17th 2021?
Any support queries relating to technology services you are welcome to call the Ministry Call Centre 0800 855 066 or by email to info@health.govt.nz
What are the plans for 2022?
The Ministry will be reviewing services from an operational perspective and will seek advice from PHOs, General Practice stakeholders and Practice Management System vendors. We will be in touch early in 2022 to progress these discussions.
If you have any questions in the meantime, you are welcome to contact Stephen Lavery Stephen.lavery@health.govt.nz or on 021 582 870.
Ngā mihi,
Stephen Lavery
Programme Manager
Primary Health Care System Improvement and Innovation
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