Rapidly advancing technology is affecting many parts of our daily lives, including the way health professionals, administrators and other people access and share health information.

While new systems allow this to happen more easily and reliably, it is important that public confidence in data privacy and security is maintained. This is what information governance aims to achieve, along with helping to ensure the best possible health care and treatment are delivered.

Information governance sets the standard for the handling of personal health information and provides the tools and processes needed to attain that standard. This enables the information to be handled legally, securely, efficiently and effectively, and shared where appropriate.

The Health Information Government Guidelines publication outlines policies and procedures for health providers who collect and share personal health information.

We are updating the guidelines in 2023 to reflect the new operating environment.

Publications

HISO 10064:2017 Health Information Governance Guidelines

 HISO 10064:2017 Health Information Governance Guidelines

The HISO 10064:2017 Health Information Governance Guidelines provide guidance to the health and disability sector on the safe sharing of health information. It complements the Health Information Security Framework which covers the security of health information wherever it is held.

The Guidelines outline policies, procedures and other useful details for health providers who collect and share personal health information, enabling them to do these legally, securely, efficiently and effectively.

The four major subject areas in the guidelines include:

  • maintaining quality and trust
  • upholding consumer rights and maintaining transparency
  • appropriate disclosure and sharing
  • ensuring security and protection of personal health information.

Each subject area provides the legal and policy context, then a set of requirements which are auditable and a compliance checklist.

Download HISO 10064:2017: Health Information Governance Guidelines (Word, 3.8 MB)

Having guidelines in place helps ensure public confidence in data privacy and security is maintained and that the best possible treatment and care is delivered to all New Zealanders.