Primary healthcare IT grants fund

The Ministerial Review Group Report recommended the creation of a new grants fund to support the implementation of a number of primary healthcare, and integrated care, health IT solutions.

The Minister of Health directed the Ministry of Health to create the Primary Healthcare IT Grants Fund in October 2009, to be administered by the IT Health Board.

After an initial application round held in November 2009, the Board has decided to target grants in particular areas to deliver key aspects of the National Health IT Plan.

New proposals for grants

As a Board we are happy to discuss future proposals for grants, please email us.

What do these grants cover?

We want to make sure that all grants are applied to new work that is in addition to the current services provided by a healthcare organisation. There are three areas that cover grants to be provided:

• to support the feasibility stage of a health IT project
• to evaluate the outcomes from a health IT solution
• to support the rollout of a proven health IT solution.

Criteria for assessing grants

 1. Strategic Context / Alignment

The National Health IT Plan has identified the need to deliver a small number of shared care projects over the next 18 months to demonstrate the integrated care model in action.  We will support up to three shared care trial projects over this period. 

2. Clinical Leadership and Clinical Pathways

Grant proposals will only be accepted from health care service delivery organisations. Proposals from health IT companies will not be considered.

Proposals will require demonstrable clinical leadership. The health IT project will need to link to a change in clinical practice via new clinical pathways clearly leading to a measurable health outcome. 

3. Likelihood of Success / Readiness

We are very aware that projects are more likely to be successful when there is a community of individuals and organisations benefiting from a new health IT solution.  This group of stakeholders must be ready and committed to getting the new health IT solution in place. A proposal needs to demonstrate the commitment and readiness of the leaders and organisations involved in the health IT project requiring grant funding.

Approved Primary Healthcare IT Grants (30 April 2010)