Alignment with NSW Strategy

As a department within the Division of Information Services, the role of CASU is described throughout the CHW IM&T Strategy (IM&T Strategy 2003 - 2007). This strategy has proven to be consistent with the NSW Statewide IM&T Strategy which is increasingly focussed on incorporating the key requirements of all Government Action Plan Implementation Co-ordination Groups. It will support:

• Improved coordination of care
• Improved information to support clinical decision making
• Improved management and clinical support systems
• Improved information infrastructure

The necessary alignment of both the CHW and NSW Health IM&T Strategic Plans will ensure that clinicians have access to high quality, timely information and can communicate directly with their peers and have access to information to support best practice and evidence based medicine. Better access to information will inform service planning and management of resources. Consumers will have easier access to information and have greater control over access and privacy issues.

The NSW Health Strategy has extended the focus on healthier people, fairer access and good health care to include better value. This has as its vision a collaborative approach across health to establish an effective, responsible, integrated technology-enabled knowledge and skills network so all people can access and use the best information to make health related decisions.

This has translated into a revised CHW IM&T Strategy which has similarly evolved into one that puts greater emphasis on Information Management and Service with a solid backbone of supporting technology.

The CHW now needs to build on the extensive infrastructure that has been put in place. Clinicians and other users need to be closely aligned with the future strategy and take ownership of projects relevant to them. This strategy will maximise the benefits to all staff of the available technologies and services in helping them to care for patients and better manage the Hospital.

The CHW is keen to maintain its position as a demonstrator site in partnership with other health care providers, vendors and NSW Health. (IM&T Strategy 2003 - 2007)