Information for health providers
Connected Health networking standards allow new telecommunication providers to enter the health sector market, fostering greater choice of network products, innovation and value for money.
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The Connected Health approach has been to develop agreed specifications that different networking products are certified against to ensure that the different networks of telecommunication providers can interconnect.
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This 'network of networks' approach will reduce the number of network issues health providers previously may have had transferring information between users on different telecommunication provider networks.
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The telecommunication service providers that will be supplying the networks to the Connected Health Network will have agreed to principles that support an open and competitive market, and their network products have been certified against criteria, resulting in a more secure and reliable health network.
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The Connected Health Network is being developed to meet the requirements of future sector initiatives, including National Health IT Plan initiatives such as eReferrals and eDischarges. It will therefore be the network of choice for all sector initiatives that transfer health information, and a requirement for all new initiatives that require approval from the National Health IT Board.
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The certifiable components of the current Health Network will become part of the Connected Health Network. (Target date for this is December 2010.)
- If you are a health provider already on the current Health Network and using a product that has been certified, you don't need to do anything. When the networks are integrated you will automatically have access to the new Connected Health Network.
- If you are a health provider already on the current Health Network but using a legacy networking product, your telecommunication service provider will talk to you about transferring you to their certified product, which will give you access to the secure Connected Health Network.
- If your telecommunication service provider does not have a Connected Health certified product, at the end of your contract look to switching to a provider who can offer you a certified product.
- If you are a health provider who is not yet a member of the current Health Network, if you have a certified network product, you will be able to join. Find out How to join the Health Network.
Useful downloads with further information:
Page updated: Sept 2010
