Use of Primary Care Information by the PHO Performance Programme

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Facts in Relation to the PHO Performance Programme

 

The Programme has engaged actively with the Primary Health sector throughout its development to ensure all aspects of its activity are transparent to PHOs. There is strong PHO and GP involvement in The Programme, specifically through the two advisory groups

(refer to the PHO Governing Principles page of this website for membership details).

The following is a summary of key facts:

1. Patient identifiable information is not provided to DHBs.  No patient identifiable information goes beyond the PHO.
2. All information provided has been agreed through the PHO contract.  Most PHOs also have 'back to back' contracts with their GPs to ensure that these requirements are completely clear.  These arrangements have been in place for some time.
3. The new PHO indicator set (Phase 2) for the PHO Performance Management Programme is being developed and has not yet been agreed with PSAAP. 
4. In order to be ready for the new indicators, PMS vendors have written the necessary software and have been getting PMS systems ready.  This process has been in full discussion with PMS, PHOs and MSO system vendors.  This is a sensible approach given the time it takes to write and test new software. 
5. No PHO is providing any information through the new software.  Indeed, PHOs are not required to provide any of this information until PSAAP agreement has been achieved.  The GP Practice has full discretion over what data they send to their PHO through their PMS system. The PHO Performance Management Programme can confirm that no data is being received - if in the exceptional case that a GP Practice sent this data too early and the PHO passed it to a DHB, then it would be sent back.
6. PSAAP is the right forum to agree the new phase 2 indicators.  PSAAP will consider this issue later this month (17th April).  As noted above, there is no requirement to send this data until PSAAP agreement has been reached.
7. PHOs and GP Practices should already have the necessary patient consents in place to cover all data provided from PMS systems to PHOs or DHBs, so there are no patient confidentiality issues.  The Programme continues to provide advice to GP Practices or PHOs on any issues that may arise.
8. There has been substantial engagement with the Primary Health sector throughout the development of the PHO Performance Management Programme, and this is ongoing. 

Please note that a summary of data use by the Programme can be located under the PHO Technical Specifications page of this website

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