National Data Commons for Hospices of New Zealand 

The problem 

Hospice New Zealand faced significant challenges in modernising its approach to commissioning hospice-led palliative care services across the country. The existing system relied heavily on cumbersome Excel-based models for cost identification and service variation, which were prone to errors and inefficiencies. Additionally, there was no unified national data infrastructure to support accurate data collection, analysis, and strategic decision-making. This lack of robust data infrastructure hindered the ability of hospices to negotiate future contracts effectively, manage operational costs, and ensure consistent service delivery across regions. 

Our approach

Synergia collaborated closely with Hospice New Zealand to address these challenges through a multi-faceted approach: 

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• We migrated the existing Excel-based models to R, an advanced statistical computing environment, to provide a more robust, automated, and error-free system for cost identification (Cost ID) and Hospice Service Variation and Costing (HSVC). This migration included validation and testing processes to ensure data accuracy. 

•  We supported the development and deployment of a national Data Commons, a centralised repository for clinical data from all hospices. This system was integrated with the HSVC model, allowing for comprehensive analysis and reporting across clinical, operational, and financial data. 

• We improved the data collection process from hospices by simplifying and automating data entry, thereby reducing the time and effort required from hospice staff and increasing the accuracy of the collected data. 

Impacts

• Improved decision-making: The development of a robust, integrated data infrastructure enabled Hospice New Zealand to access accurate and timely data, facilitating more informed strategic decisions and negotiations with Te Whatu Ora. 

• Enhanced efficiency: By transitioning from Excel to R, the risk of errors was significantly reduced, and the process of data analysis became faster and more reliable. This shift also future-proofed the data infrastructure, ensuring that it could be easily adapted for future needs. 

• Comprehensive data insights: The integration of clinical and operational data through the Data Commons and HSVC models provided a holistic view of hospice services across the country. This enabled better resource allocation, improved service delivery, and stronger advocacy for fair funding models. 

• Strategic advantage: The new commissioning models and the data infrastructure provides hospices with a strong foundation to negotiate future contracts and funding with confidence. 

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