Connected Health is a standards-based, commercial model for the delivery of universal connectivity across the New Zealand health sector.

The Connected Health Network is a ‘network of networks’ delivered by multiple telecommunication service providers on a competitive basis, using industry standard, commodity capability.

What is the programme delivering?

The foundation components of an interconnected health network, including:

  • a common connectivity framework
  • network connectivity standards (approved by HISO)
  • core network components:
    • three managed points of interconnection
    • a uniform addressing scheme
  • an accreditation and certification process for suppliers (telecommunication service providers)
  • governance and management oversight.

To access these services email integration@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Benefits of Connected Health

Connected Health improves reliability, safety, and security of transferring health information.

Only products or services certified against approved network connectivity standards will be allowed to connect to the network.

Connected Health:

  • requires health IT suppliers to disaggregate services and products and certify them against common (HISO-approved) network connectivity standards, thereby levelling the competitive field and allowing new vendors to enter the market
  • increases competition between health IT suppliers, increasing innovation and encouraging value for money
  • gives health organisations across the sector, whether public or private, a greater choice of standardised offerings, from multiple IT suppliers
  • provides a foundation for the safe sharing of electronic health information throughout the sector and with the public at large
  • provides a consistent approach for connecting up and addressing entities across the entire health sector
  • enables the implementation of the initiatives in the National Health IT Plan that transfer information
  • builds foundation components.

For further information, please contact integration@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Certified products

The table below shows certified networking products and those pending certification.

Product Name Provider Standard(s)* certified against
SecurIT SSL VPN HealthLink UNI-0
SecurIT HealthLink UNI-1
CMN-Fortinet Health  Spark Digital UNI-1
Cello Cello UNI-4 and UNI-5
HealthBridge 2degrees UNI-4 and UNI-5
SecureWan Kordia UNI-4 and UNI-5
HealthZone Spark Digital UNI-4 and UNI-5
Vivid Health Direct Vivid Networks UNI-4 and UNI-5
InterHealth Vocus Communications UNI-4 and UNI-5

* Connected Health Network Connectivity Standards

Information for health IT suppliers

Having Connected Health specifications makes it easier for new IT suppliers to enter the health sector market and allows for innovation.

Note: The Connected Health Programme is certifying networking products only at this stage.

The health IT industry will be given advance warning of any future plans to develop new specifications/standards, and will be invited to participate in their development through NZ Health IT.

NZ Health IT is the representative body for working with the industry on the development of Connected Health specifications.

Information for telecommunication service providers or suppliers of networking products

Information for telecommunication service providers or suppliers of networking products

If you are a supplier with a networking product, gaining Connected Health product certification will allow the users of your product to interconnect with the secure Connected Health network, and, therefore, with other health care providers on the network.

The Connected Health network is the network of choice for all sector initiatives that transfer health information, and a requirement for all new initiatives that require approval from the Ministry of Health.

Supplier accreditation and product certification documents

Supplier accreditation and product certification documents

Connected Health and HISO logos

The logos here are for promotional and packaging materials of Connected Health-certified products. The logos are not to be used for any other purpose.

By downloading the logos you are agreeing to the Connected Health Branding Guidelines for Certified Products (PDF 2.8MB).

Connected Health

HISO