Policy plan

The CareCodex Foundation aims to improve the quality of care by enabling transparent, secure, digital information exchange between healthcare providers and client/patient. Currently, we are implementing a project in the field of birth care, the Babyconnect programme. This project runs until 31 December 2022 with a possible extension in 2023. In addition, in 2021, we will focus on a new project in healthcare, the scope and project plan of which will be specified in 2022.

Babyconnect programme

In 2018 to the spring of 2019, we conducted a preliminary study together with RSO Nederland and CPZ to achieve an Electronic Client File in birth care. This preliminary study was subsidised by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. With this research and grant, we were able to develop the frameworks and theoretical thinking of future digital data exchange in birth care.

In order to give shape to the intended digital information exchange in maternity care, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has set up the Babyconnect VIPP programme. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has commissioned us, as the national agency, to implement this programme. For this purpose, we receive a subsidy from VWS. The programme runs at least until 31 December 2022. You can find all information about this programme on our website Babyconnect.

Our policy is to:

Putting the end-users (patients/clients, healthcare providers, healthcare organisations and data analysts) in birth care at the centre when formulating the requirements for digital information exchange in birth care;
Developing these requirements into efficient technical solutions that also comply with all care standards, guarantee data privacy, make information securely accessible and strive to increase the purchasing power of healthcare institutions, maximise standardisation and strengthen cooperation between organisations in the birth care sector;
To get as many Obstetric Collaborative Centres (VSVs) and Integrated Birth Care Organisations (IGOs) as possible interested in and connected to the Babyconnect VIPP programme and to support these and other parties in the birth care sector optimally in the implementation by developing test environments, training courses, educational materials and implementation manuals and other knowledge documents;
Ensuring the sustainability of the technical solutions by sustainable funding of the investments and the annual management costs, giving the end-user groups a continuous status and securing their position in the broad field of healthcare, and sustainably investing the management of the technical infrastructure in the (birth) care sector.

What activities does the institution carry out?

In order to realise the policy, work is carried out in the field of:

User needs to identify the needs of patients/clients and healthcare providers and institutions involved in birth care;
Research & development to research, develop and put into practice the technical solutions for the envisaged digital information exchange;
Programme management to guide the regions in implementation;
Communication to support the programme with adequate PR and information at both national and regional level.

These activities are supported by management, staff and finance & control.

When will what work be done?

In the period 2019 to mid-2021, the focus is on identifying the user requirements, researching and developing the technical solutions, guiding the regions in developing their project plan and their grant application, and involving and informing all stakeholders in the birth care sector. From mid-2021 onwards, the focus will be on developing the technical solutions and guiding their implementation by the regions. This project phase will last at least until the end of 2022 with an expected run-out in 2023. In 2022, the basis will be laid for the sustainable safeguarding of the envisaged digital information exchange.

We report quarterly to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport on the progress of the programme and, after completion of the programme, we report to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport on the objectives achieved by the programme.

How does the work contribute to achieving the objective?

All work is aimed at and aligned with the goal of improving the quality of childbirth care.

How does the institution get its income?

We receive a subsidy from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to implement the Babyconnect programme. In addition, we make use of other (subsidy) sources where possible provided that the activities (to be) carried out in relation to that income also contribute to the realisation of the Babyconnect programme. Other than for the Babyconnect project, we do not expect any other income in 2021.

In what way and for what purposes are the revenues obtained spent?

The foundation has no activities other than for the Babyconnect programme. All income that we currently receive is subject to the condition that it is spent or benefits the programme Babyconnect. This does not exclude obtaining other income to make it financially possible to research and prepare the continuation of the program Babyconnect during the phasing out or after the completion of this project.

To the extent that the subsidy received from VWS is not needed for the realisation of the Babyconnect programme, it is subject to a repayment obligation. A surplus of subsidy in any year therefore does not constitute capital for the foundation.

Our foundation has historically accumulated assets. These assets - to the extent not required for operating assets - are held as bank balances.

Remuneration policy for the statutory board, for members of the policy-making body and for staff

The board members of the foundation receive no remuneration for their statutory role. However, they do receive compensationfor their executive roles and functions within the Babyconnect programme , based on class 2 of the Dutch Top Income Tax Act (Normering Topinkomens).

The foundation has a Supervisory Board. The members of the Supervisory Board receive no remuneration for their work. They are entitled to non-excessive attendance fees and reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The chairman receives a fixed fee of EUR 3,800 and the other members receive a fixed fee of EUR 2,720. These amounts apply for a full calendar year.

For the staff, the foundation follows the CAO Hospitals.