Dear Colleagues, The next HL7 Australia Conference has two key themes: • Achieving complete interoperability using multiple standards layers • "Getting what you paid for" - Issues in contracting for HL7 standards The Australian Health Ministers have agreed to focus on the need to integrate and coordinate services between community and hospital based services as a major component of its health reform agenda. One strategic goal is to improve the interoperability of systems and reduce duplication of effort. It has been recognised that the adoption and application of electronic communication and information technology within the health industry is crucial to realising cost and outcome benefits from the provision of health services within a well connected health system. To achieve this we need to strengthen national collaboration through partnerships between system users and vendors and increase the adoption of standards based health information systems interoperability The development of an infrastructure that will facilitate this needs to be accelerated so that the increased use of online, evidence based health information and clinical applications will ensure quality care as well as reduce the incidence of adverse events. An emerging issue in health informatics is not a lack of standards but more ”how do we integrate the multiple standards components” required to achieve a functional yet interoperable system, while being able to verify conformance and achieve this within a market driven environment. You are invited to a one-day HL7 Australia conference in Melbourne to be held on Friday, 10 December 2004 focusing on these issues. Charles Parisot, IHE IT Infrastructure Technical Committee Co-Chair, has accepted our invitation to present at this conference and participate in our discussions. The objective is to establish an Australian Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) node through which we will be able to contribute to the development of integration profiles to enhance standards adoption and demonstrate the results at future trade exhibits. As always, Members of HL7 Australia enjoy a reduced member's Conference rate ($250). At the conclusion of the conference, HL7 Australia will hold its Annual General Meeting at 4:00pm at the same venue. We look forward to welcoming you to share knowledge and experiences in Melbourne. Klaus Veil Evelyn Hovenga Chair, HL7 Australia HL7 Australia Board Member - Education | 
HL7 Australia