National health data linkage capability

NCRIS Update Paper

Issues Paper

Please complete the registration form.

For catering purposes it is essential that you register.

Registration will close four business days prior to the date of the relevant forum but please register early as places are limited.

As background to the forums an Issues Paper is now available from this website.

A series of consultation forums will be held in all capital cities in order to canvass the views of people who have an interest in the development of a national capability for Population Health and Clinical Data Linkage. Registration closes four business days prior to the relevant forum.

As background to the workshops an Issues Paper will be available from this website shortly before the series commences.

The consultation forums will be facilitated by Professor Michael Frommer with the assistance of either Ms Sarah Kemp or Ms Christine Madronio (Sydney Health Projects Group, The University of Sydney)

Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Dates & Venue: (in alphabetical order by capital city)

Adelaide - 17 August 2007
State Library of South Australia
Hetzel Lecture Theatre
The Insitute Building
Cnr Kintore Avenue & North Terrace
Adelaide

Brisbane - 31 July 2007
The Sebel Suites Brisbane
Cnr Albert & Charlotte Streets
Brisbane

Canberra - 26 July 2007
Pilgram House
The Riley Hall
69 Northbourne Avenue (near Jolimont Centre)
Canberra

Darwin - 12 July 2007
Due to lack of numbers the Darwin forum has been cancelled with Michael Frommer holding a number of individual consultations instead. If you would like to talk to Michael during his visit to Darwin please contact Ms Rosa Reitano a.s.a.p on +61 2 9351 2930 to arrange an appointment. Michael is available on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 July.

Hobart - 29 August
The Langford Centre
1 Bowen Road
Moonah

Melbourne - 19 July 2007
Department of Human Services
Room 100, Level 1
50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne

Perth - 6 August
Grace Vaughn House
227 Stubbs Terrace
Shenton Park

Sydney - 23 July 2007
Sancta Sophia College
The Common Room
8 Missenden Road
Camperdown

Light refreshments will be provided at all venues.

The Facilitator, Professor Michael Frommer, has worked with colleagues in SHPG to review the current status of health data linkage in Australia and internationally. This includes the health, economic and social benefits flowing from data linkage; data linkage systems, infrastructure and technology; relevant legislation; privacy, confidentiality and ethical considerations; use of and access to linked data for research and operational purposes in the Australian health system; and governance models.

Michael has also had informal discussions in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. He looks forward to further discussions in May-June 2007.

Consultation forums throughout Australia will begin towards the end of June 2007.

In addition to informal discussions, the Facilitator, Professor Michael Frommer, will run a series of half-day consultation forums around Australia during July and August 2007. The dates and venues of the forums will be announced on this website, and anyone interested is welcome to attend. Registration will be essential for the smooth running of each forum.

In each forum, Michael will present his findings and suggested directions to date for the Health Data Linkage capability, and invite input from participants. Outcomes of the discussions will be incorporated in the Investment Plan.

As background to the workshops an Issues Paper will be available from this website shortly before the series commences.

NCRIS is an initiative of the Australian Government, implemented by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).

Its intent is to develop research infrastructure in selected priority areas that are critical to the success of science and technology in Australia and to the health and wellbeing of the Australian population. This priority areas are known as capabilities or capability areas.

In addition to research infrastructure, NCRIS is developing a strategic framework for each capability, and will provide funding over a four-year period (2007-2011). The capability areas are identified in the NCRIS Roadmap.

For each capability area, DEST is appointing a Facilitator who will prepare an Investment Plan in consultation with interested parties, under the direction of the high-level NCRIS Committee. The Investment Plan defines both the strategic framework and the proposed use of the funds. The NCRIS Committee is chaired by Dr Mike Sargent, and its membership includes experts in a wide range of fields and leaders of major national research and policy agencies.

NCRIS funds can be used to cover:
• operation and development of existing facilities;
• enhancement of existing facilities;
• establishment, operation and development of new facilities; and
• gaining access to offshore facilities.

NCRIS funds do not cover:
• ‘landmark’ infrastructure requirements, which require funding greater than $60 million; or
• institutional level or small-scale collaborative infrastructure; or
• research programs, projects or activities.

(For more details see NCRIS Frequently Asked Questions)

What does an Investment Plan include?
Each Investment Plan is required to set out:
• how the proposed facilities will result in excellent research infrastructure that best meets the needs of researchers across Australia;
• the access and pricing regimens for the facilities;
• the ownership and management arrangements for the facilities;
• how the facilities will interact with the ‘platforms for collaboration’ that will also be developed under NCRIS; and
• proposals for co-investment; and
• an implementation strategy and business plan.

How are Facilitators identified?
Facilitators are identified by the NCRIS Committee through extensive discussions with the relevant research community and other key stakeholders (eg State and Territory Governments). Factors taken into account in the identification of Facilitators are that they:
• are well-known and connected in their respective fields and recognised as being an ‘honest broker’; and
• have the organisational, communication and negotiation skills required to broker the development of an effective Investment Plan.

Process for development of the Investment Plan
The preparation of the Investment Plan involves the following steps:
• Review of the value and contribution of data linkage to population health and clinical services.
• Review of existing health data linkage capability in Australia and internationally.
• Informal discussions with experts in health data linkage and government officials with responsibilities for major health data systems.
• Preparation of an Issues Paper, to be placed on this website in June 2007.
• Consultation workshops.
• Drafting of the Investment Plan.
• Consideration of the draft Investment Plan by the NCRIS Committee (September 2007).
• Finalisation of the Investment Plan (October 2007).

Related websites:
NCRIS Home Page
Population Health and Clinical Data Linkage

The Sydney Health Projects Group (SHPG) was established in 2002 as a research and consulting unit based in the School of Public Health within the Faculty of Medicine, at The University of Sydney. SHPG undertakes a wide range of projects in public health and clinical services development and evaluation, health policy analysis, health workforce analysis, policies and systems for health professional education, health and medical research policy and governance, and tertiary education issues. SHPG clients include government departments and agencies all around Australia, major national and State agencies, non-government organisations and universities. The director of the SHPG is Professor Michael Frommer.

Michael would also appreciate any written comments that might contribute to the development of the Investment Plan. These can either be e-mailed to him at mfrommer@med.usyd.edu.au, or can be added to recent posts on this website. Please note that written comments will not be individually acknowledged unless they contain a specific question for Michael to answer.