Who is Ken Leech?

Ken Leech

Ken is an experienced, senior executive with special expertise gained within the health sector and particularly within primary care.   He has strengths in strategy development and execution, with an emphasis on using information technology to achieve business goals.

His previous positions include CIO of ProCare, one of New Zealand's largest health management companies, and Senior Consultant for Azimith Consulting, providing I.T. consulting services to many companies in a wide variety of industries.

His experience in primary health care includes building partnerships with key players in the health sector particularly at DHB, Ministry, and vendor levels. 

Recognition of his industry knowledge and influence led to Ken's appointment as a foundation member of the Health Information Standards Organisation, a ministerial committee given responsibility for the development and implementation of standards within the health sector.   He was also invited by NZ Trade and Enterprise to join a trade mission to Canada to promote New Zealand's Health I.T. capability and presented to the New Zealand delegation of Academy of International Health Studies on the role of technology in primary health care.

Ken currently chairs the IT Steering Groups for Whanganui Regional PHO, and the two Northland PHOs (Manaia PHO and Te Tai Tokerau PHO).

His earlier roles included implementing customer care and billing systems, systems development management, financial and manufacturing applications, and data warehousing strategies.

Ken's skills include:

• people management
• information strategy development and execution
• project management
• requirements analysis
• information systems design and development
• change management.
• software development

Significant achievements

Information system design and development

Ken managed a team of business analysts and developers to design, develop and implement a complex claims processing system that builds an information repository of services that have been provided to patients by general practitioners.

Change management

Ken implemented significant changes to the way general practice is funded with advent of Primary Health Organisations.  This required extensive consultation and engagement along with the delivery of training and support.

He developed and implemented a strategy for bringing about significant change in the use of information technology by general practice.  This resulted in significant adoption of new technology and use of advanced concepts such as clinical decision support.