Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has made a significant decision to retain 175 additional roles in Digital Services after engaging in consultations with stakeholders. This move comes after the organization initially proposed to eliminate approximately one-third or 653 full-time equivalent positions in data and digital services, which was the largest reduction among its various functions.
Recognizing the critical role that digital services play in enabling efficient and effective health services for all New Zealanders, Te Whatu Ora has decided to maintain a total of 1,460 data and digital roles nationally. However, the organization will still proceed with the disestablishment of 610 current and 758 vacant roles in Digital Services. In an effort to support affected employees, 447 individuals have been offered redeployment opportunities.
Despite the organization’s efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs, the Public Service Association (PSA), the country’s largest trade union, has raised concerns about the impact of these job cuts on patient safety and data security. Fleur Fitzsimons, the national secretary of PSA, emphasized that the reduction in highly skilled data and digital experts could potentially increase the risk of cybersecurity breaches and compromise sensitive patient information.
In response to these criticisms, Sonny Taite, the acting chief information technology officer of Te Whatu Ora, reiterated the organization’s commitment to retaining and redeploying staff wherever possible. Taite emphasized that there are currently more roles available in the digital team than there are people to fill them, underscoring the organization’s dedication to supporting its workforce during this transition.
The decision to eliminate data and digital roles comes on the heels of a series of cost-cutting measures implemented by Te Whatu Ora, including operational efficiencies, voluntary redundancies, and early exit processes. These measures have impacted various digital health and IT projects, including the national health information program, Hira, which has been paused due to budget constraints.
As Te Whatu Ora grapples with the challenges of maintaining over 4,000 legacy applications and systems, the organization has had to prioritize cost-saving initiatives and ease back on IT implementations. Despite these challenges, Te Whatu Ora remains committed to delivering high-quality health services to the people of New Zealand while navigating the complex landscape of digital transformation in the healthcare sector.
