Fujitsu wins ICT restructure deal with QLD Health

Stan Beer
Wednesday, 28 September 2005 10:00

IT Industry - Deals

Fujitsu Australia today has won a contract with Queensland Health to upgrade the department's ICT service management structure, processes and systems.

The restructure is designed to help the department improve its ability to deliver critical clinical applications to healthcare providers and involves a shift to proven off-the shelf software and methodologies, plus more rigorous monitoring of IT spending.

Fujitsu Australia has signed three deals for consulting services to lead the restructure over 12 months.

1.  The Transformation Program will deliver a comprehensive restructure of Queensland Health's Information Directorate to better align the organisation to the needs of the public health community. Changes include a new service orientated organisational structure, service management processes and supporting ICT systems. The program is being deployed by Fujitsu in partnership with Brisbane organisational consultant Arena.

2.  The ICT Investment Office will deliver a new framework to oversee all ICT investments. It aims to ensure investments are aligned to Queensland Health's strategic objectives and are focused on realising defined outcomes and benefits. Criteria for ICT investments will focus on business value to healthcare providers, rather than technology.

3.  The ICT Delivery Office will deliver a new framework to oversee all ICT initiatives. It aims to ensure they are managed professionally, meet the needs of healthcare providers and are delivered within the agreed investment guidelines. The Delivery Office's objective is to enable Queensland Health ICT providers to more effectively deliver healthcare solutions.

The program of work was initiated by Sabrina Walsh, the new CIO at Queensland Health. Walsh heads up the largest public sector ICT operation in the state with an operating budget exceeding $100 million and almost 1,000 people servicing the department's 65,000 staff.

"We recognised Queensland Health needed to bring its IT service delivery up to industry best practice standard," Walsh said. "Our investments over the past eight months signal a change in our philosophy for ICT. We are focused on better alignment with community health providers, proven off-the-shelf software and methodologies, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation of our IT investments."

According to Rod Vawdrey, CEO of Fujitsu, "Because of its centralised structure, Queensland Health has the opportunity to dramatically improve ICT services and more effectively deliver health services to a patient, from a primary care provider in Mt Isa to a hospital in Townsville or Brisbane."

The three projects will be rolled out over the remainder of the year with all projects expected to be complete by February 2006.