eHealthTALK NZ

Darren Douglass, Acting Chief Information Technology Officer at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora speaks to Rebecca McBeth about the challenges and opportunities in the new 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan. 

He also discusses the creation of the Centre for Digital Modernisation in Health, created to deliver the plan.

Recorded during Digital Health Week 2025, held in Christchurch November 25-26.

This episode explores an IDI (Integrated Data Infrastructure) project from Blind Low Vision New Zealand, which is using data to illuminate the life outcomes of the blind and visually impaired, revealing insights that challenge perceptions and aim to drive policy change. 

Cain Richardson and Tori Van Loewenhout discuss the drivers behind the project, issues around data standardisation and the power of integrated data in advocating for better services and opportunities for what is often an invisible community.

This episode explores the unique origins of electronic medical record (EMR) system Tamanu, with guests Edwin Monk-Fromont and Megan Lane from Beyond Essential Systems. 

Tamanu was designed with a people-first approach, aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in low-resource settings across the Pacific. 

Learn how Tamanu's open-source, mobile-enabled technology and standards based approach to interoperability is transforming patient care throughout the region and beyond. 

Edwin and Megan also discuss the importance of co-design, and future integrations of AI.

MTANZ board member Aisling Weir explores the history and complexities of medical device regulation in New Zealand.

She discusses the challenges and opportunities within the evolving landscape of medical technology and how new legislation - the Medical Products Bill  - aims to address these issues. 

Also, the difficulty of regulating AI in relation to medical devices and what New Zealand could learn from how international regulatory agencies are approaching this.

Matt Devonald, Patient Services Manager at Forte Health, discusses the private hospital’s journey from paper to digital patient onboarding with Personify Care.

He talks about how this transition has streamlined patient onboarding, improved the patient experience, and contributed to the organisation’s sustainability goals.

Matt reflects on the challenges faced when going digital, Forte’s co-design approach and what this successful project enables for the future.

In this episode Sally Britnell, a disability advocate and senior lecturer, discusses the challenges and barriers faced by disabled people in the healthcare sector.

Sally shares her personal journey of working in health and the importance of representation in the health workforce.

She reflects on the current state of inclusivity, experiences of discrimination, and explores the need for universal design in workplaces.

Also, the role of digital tools in enhancing accessibility, the support employers can provide, and the importance of education in fostering understanding among health staff.

Digital accessibility consultant Callum McMenamin, founder of Open Access, talks about creating inclusive digital environments for blind and low vision people, particularly within health and social care. 

Callum shares his journey into accessibility, his work on government web standards, and the creation of the “Accessibility Loser Board” that highlights areas needing urgent improvement. 

The discussion explores challenges and systemic barriers in health and disability services, and the role of standards and emerging technologies like AI in shaping a more accessible and equitable digital future for all New Zealanders.

This episode explores the journey of Tāmaki Health as they integrated the Heidi AI medical scribe across New Zealand’s largest independent primary healthcare group. 

Guests discuss how the technology is streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing the overall efficiency of clinicians and improving staff wellbeing, as well as patient experience. 

Also, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved through their innovative collaborative approach. 

Lisa Tumahai, chief executive of Pōkeka Poutini Ngāi Tahu Ltd, shares insights on the challenges and successes of implementing digital solutions to enhance service delivery and efficiency in rural health care. 

The discussion covers the integration of technology into health and social care services, the importance of data sovereignty, and the future of digital health, including the role of AI. 

Can artificial intelligence help to transform aged care without losing the human touch? 

In this episode of eHealth Talk NZ, Third Age Health’s CTO Sanjeewa Samaraweera and nurse practitioner Elle Dagley discuss the opportunities and risks of AI in supporting older adults. 

From predictive risk management and clinical note-taking to tackling loneliness and enabling independent living, they explore where AI can make the biggest impact – and why dignity and human connection must always come first.