SRHA uses technology to drive better quality healthcare delivery

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) is using digital innovation to improve the level of service delivery to the more than 600,000 clients who are served by the authority. 

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on February 27, Director of ICT Services, Rohan Smith, explained that technology is being used as a driver in quality healthcare delivery.

“If we see where a problem presents itself, this also presents an opportunity for growth, and my team believes that we'll be able to change the landscape of how we do business, how we offer service, and how we give quality healthcare in our facilities, by innovating,” said Smith.                                                                                                

An example of digital innovation within the region is the development of a Fleet Management System that enables users and, in particular, the fleet manager, to maintain the fleet management through the availability of real-time information on the location of vehicles.                                                                                                                    

“There are vehicle maintenance and tracking reports that are available on a daily basis,” Smith explained.

“We also looked at our Human Resources Department. We have just over 3,900 staff members and it can be difficult to track and find all their records, so we implemented a Human Resources Tracking System that will enable our HR Department to function and to be efficient in what it does,” he added.

The ICT team also created a solution to decrease waiting times by implementing a software that manages the Clinical Appointment System for all major hospitals within the region.

Smith further pointed out that an e-learning platform was created to facilitate training of staff members from the convenience of their phones, laptops or tablets so that they can access their courses after leaving the office.                                           

“We also looked at various systems, such as building our in-house intranet site,” the director said, adding that it serves as a hub for all staff-related activities.  

“We are on a path. We are on a trajectory of improving technology in the region, and so with limited resources we have been able to innovate and to digitalise most of our systems, and we are continuing that path,” Smith stated.  

The SRHA won the Digital Innovation Award at the Government of Jamaica's Service Excellence Conference and Awards Ceremony in January 2025. The team was lauded for working to improve healthcare in the southern part of the island, and to achieve excellence in public health and high-quality digital health.