Health NZ has introduced new digital patient navigation tools and automated medication dispensing technology at the New Dunedin Hospital’s Outpatient Building – with some of the systems described as firsts for New Zealand hospitals.
The Outpatients | Whare Mātūtū building features digital appointment notifications, self-service check-in kiosks, interactive maps and waiting room displays designed to make it easier for patients to navigate appointments and access clinical services.
Patients can receive appointment confirmations, reminders and building information digitally before arriving, then choose between checking in at a kiosk or with a receptionist.
Digital maps guide patients to clinic rooms, waiting areas and amenities, while screens provide appointment updates using non-identifying numbers assigned at check-in.
New Dunedin Hospital Digital Director Phil Baskerville assists patient Sandra Watson to use the self-check-in kiosk.
New Dunedin Hospital digital director Phil Baskerville said the technology was designed to reduce uncertainty for patients and whānau, while retaining face-to-face assistance.
“We want people to spend less time worrying about where to go and what happens next and more time focusing on their healthcare. The tools are designed to help patients and whānau find their way to appointments, while making sure face-to-face support is still available for anyone who wants or needs it.”
The systems were tested and refined through Dunedin’s Digital Health Design Lab, a prototype environment where technology is evaluated with input from staff, consumers, disability advocates and community representatives.
Disability advocate, wheelchair user and access consultant John Marrable said the project team had responded to feedback during testing, making changes to improve accessibility.
“The concept is fantastic. What impressed me most was that the team listened to feedback and made improvements along the way. They adjusted things like font sizes, screen positioning and glare based on what testers told them.
“The system worked well when I tested it and I like that people can choose whether they use the digital tools or get help from staff.”
Mr Baskerville said patients could use as many or as few of the digital services as they wished, with staff available to provide assistance.
“All together, these tools will support a modern, digitally enabled patient journey where information is clear and easy for patients to access quickly, resulting in the best, most timely care possible.”
The outpatient facility is also the first health facility in the South Island to introduce Omnicell Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs), which provide secure, computer-controlled storage and supply of medications and controlled drugs at the point of care.
The cabinets enable real-time tracking of medicines, improve inventory management and are designed to reduce waste.
Health NZ Southern chief pharmacist Craig MacKenzie said the introduction of the cabinets was a key component of the hospital’s Medicines Management strategy.
“The introduction has been years in the making and there will be further expansion of the Omnicell system into the inpatient building where there will be significant improvements to patient safety.”
The outpatient building’s digital infrastructure includes more than 150 kilometres of cabling and more than 300 Wi-Fi access points, supporting the new clinical and patient-facing systems.
Health NZ said experience gained through the building’s digital design, standards and implementation had also informed governance structures and digital standards for the Nelson and Whangārei hospital redevelopments.
The approach is intended to reduce duplication and support greater consistency in digital infrastructure and technology implementation across the health system.
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