<\/p>\n
\nMental Health Minister Matt Doocey.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n
There will not be a risk of health data being misused as a result of a new AI navigation tool, says the mental health minister.<\/p>\n
Telehealth provider Whakarongorau Aotearoa will develop the tool, which people would be able to access after they put in information about the issues they were facing.<\/p>\n
It would help navigate users to health support in their area, and in some cases allow them to book directly.<\/p>\n
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Checkpoint the project will be approved by Health New Zealand’s AI governance group to insure there was no misuse of information.<\/p>\n
“Most messages are signed off and it’s important that you get access to those services, so there won’t be any risk of that going open source with AI.”<\/p>\n
Doocey said the tool would be very effective.<\/p>\n
“Quite often when I talk to people they’re not aware of the available services at either at their GP or Health New Zealand provided community services.<\/p>\n
“So I think it is going to be a real game changer in providing faster and real time access to that support.”<\/p>\n
He said people should only put information they feel comfortable putting into the page.<\/p>\n