Queensland Health enlists Fujitsu in ICT revamp
Queensland Health enlists Fujitsu in ICT revamp
Sep 27, 2005: Fujitsu Australia has announced a strategic partnership with Queensland Health to upgrade the department's information and communications technology (ICT) service management structure, processes and systems. The partnership will help the department improve its ability to deliver critical clinical applications to healthcare providers.
Fujitsu Australia has signed three deals for consulting services to lead the restructure over 12 months. It will provide expertise and resources to establish a sound ICT framework for the future within Queensland Health's Information Directorate.
This framework will be delivered through three major initiatives:
- The Transformation Program will deliver a comprehensive restructure of Queensland Health's Information Directorate to better align the organisation to the needs of the public health community. Changes include a new service orientated organisational structure, service management processes and supporting ICT systems. The program is being deployed by Fujitsu in partnership with Brisbane organisational consultants Arena.
- The ICT Investment Office will deliver a new framework to oversee all ICT investments. It will ensure investments are aligned to Queensland Health's strategic objectives and are focused on realising defined outcomes and benefits. Criteria for ICT investments will focus on business value to healthcare providers, rather than technology.
- The ICT Delivery Office will deliver a new framework to oversee all ICT initiatives. It will ensure they are managed professionally, meet the needs of healthcare providers and are delivered within the agreed investment guidelines.
The program of work was initiated by Sabrina Walsh, the new Chief Information Officer at Queensland Health. Walsh heads up the largest public sector ICT operation in the state with an operating budget exceeding $100 million and almost 1,000 people servicing the department's 65,000 staff.
"We recognised Queensland Health needed to bring its IT service delivery up to industry best practice standard," said Walsh. "Our investments over the past eight months signal a change in our philosophy for ICT. We are focused on better alignment with community health providers, proven off-the-shelf software and methodologies, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation of our IT investments."
According to Rod Vawdrey, Chief Executive Officer of Fujitsu, "Because of its centralised structure, Queensland Health has the opportunity to dramatically improve ICT services and more effectively deliver health services to a patient, from a primary care provider in Mt Isa to a hospital in Townsville or Brisbane."
The three projects will be rolled out over the remainder of the year with all projects expected to be complete by February 2006.
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