Inclusive
Equitable access to health services for Australians, when and where they need them.
An inclusive healthcare system ensures that every Australian can access care precisely when needed, offering a broader range of communication options with healthcare providers and personalised healthcare based on who we are and where we live.
Digital health plays a significant role in fostering inclusivity. Through virtual care, like telehealth and remote monitoring, individuals in unconventional health service settings find it more convenient to receive care, often extending beyond traditional business hours.
This approach to digital health particularly benefits various groups, including parents and families, residents of remote and regional areas, older individuals, people with disabilities, those managing chronic health conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, multicultural communities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, and veterans. By leveraging digital health, these diverse groups gain improved access to healthcare services, promoting a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system.
"Digital health is critical for reaching people who traditionally find it difficult to access mainstream services and those living in regional areas. For example, from our regional location, telehealth has enabled us to provide services to people living remotely, some of whom have never been able to access disability-trained psychologists before."
Healthcare provider – National Digital Health Survey 2021
Discover how it's all connected
The National Digital Health Strategy aims to achieve 4 outcomes for Australia’s health system. These outcomes are supported by 4 change enablers, which are necessary to drive consistent progress and realise the strategy in full.
The Strategy Delivery Roadmap outlines the scope, approach, governance, key inputs and partners that will contribute to delivering the strategy’s vision.
The roadmap highlights 12 priority areas, each containing initiatives undertaken by a lead and supported by partners, to achieve the strategy’s health outcomes.
Deliver an inclusive health system, ensuring all Australians have equitable access to health services when and where they need them. An inclusive health system should actively improve the quality of life of the individuals, families and communities who use it, regardless of their background. Digital health and wellbeing services must be culturally safe and appropriate for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those from culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQ+ communities, and members of all religions.
This outcome will be driven by all 4 National Digital Health Strategy enablers:
- Policy and regulatory settings that cultivate digital health adoption, use and innovations.
- Secure, fit for purpose and connected digital solutions.
- A digitally ready and enabled health and wellbeing workforce.
- Informed, confident consumers and carers with strong digital health literacy.
The three key priority areas for the inclusive outcome are to:
- Improve and expand virtual care
- Integrate personal devices
- Support equitable health access.
Digitally enabled
Creating health and wellbeing services that are connected, safe, secure and sustainable.
Person-centred
Ensuring Australians are empowered to look after their health and wellbeing and equipped with the right information and tools.
Data-driven
Ensuring data is readily available and informs decision making about individuals, communities and national issues.