IDC Research reports Australia's healthcare industry spent A$2 billion on IT in 2012. Spending is growing at an annual rate of one percent. That number is slow because the infrastructure investments have already been made.

New Zealand spending is estimated at NZ$286 million in 2012. That's a long way behind Australia on a per citizen basis, however, in New Zealand the spending is growing at a compound rate of 4.1 percent.

In both countries telecommunications accounts for almost one third of budgets. New Zealand's spend would have been just NZ$184 million if telecommunications is excluded.

The key driver in both countries is 'connected healthcare'. Louise Francis, IDC's research manager for NZ IT spending says the update of the National Health IT Plan, which was first published in 2010,  will also have a significant impact on investment over the next five years. The new strategy has a strong
emphasis on engagement and involvement of healthcare service users in all aspects and stages of their care.

She says: "New Zealand health organisations must continue invest in IT solutions that contribute to the overall objective of a connected healthcare system."

"Ultrafast broadband and mobile platforms are expected to enable key areas of the connected health system including mHealth initiatives, telemedicine, shared care records, actionable business intelligence and building systems around the needs of patients."

[digitl 2013]

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