NSW Department of Health announces 'realignment of functions'

The NSW government has announced a reshuffle in the Department of Health, with a “realignment of functions” resulting in a new advertisement for the role of director of e-health and ICT strategy.

The realignment follows the implementation of the recently announced NSW Health ICT strategy, with the advertisement stating that it is an attempt to “position NSW Health at the forefront of the national e-health agenda”.

Once the role of director of e-health and ICT strategy is filled, the successful candidate will oversee all Department of Health ICT strategy, and be responsible for guiding “the ICT direction for the entire health system”, the advertisement said.

The department indicated that the role will form part of a health ICT vertical, with the advertisement stating applicants will ideally have domain experience in this area.

The advertisement went on to state that a remuneration package will be negotiable, and a contract period of up to five years plus annual performance reviews are required.

The insights come as NSW Health deputy director-general, Dr Tim Smyth, said earlier in the year that the department was undertaking a business case for the provision of an electronic prescribing service, and that any privacy concerns around content wouldn’t stymie an e-health uptake.