Welcome to Inside Digital Health, a regular newsletter series from the Australian Digital Health Agency that gives insight into the latest happenings, global perspectives and more in the world of digital health.
In this issue, read about:
- Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy
- global innovations in health and technology
- innovation spotlight: Provider Connect Australia
- CPD-accredited online learning for general practitioners
- events and careers in digital health.
The next National Digital Health Strategy
Launched in February, Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy 2023–2028 and accompanying Strategy Delivery Roadmap provide a clear path to an inclusive, sustainable and healthier future for all Australians through a connected and digitally enabled health system.
Why is it important? The strategy, supported by the roadmap, places people at the centre of a connected and digitally enabled healthcare system. It sets a vision and pathway to better serve the needs of Australians today and into the future, by creating a more connected, person-centred digital health system and by realising the benefits digital technology offers individuals, the community, governments, industry and providers.
Advances in technology are already improving health outcomes and reducing waste.
Agency Chief Clinical Advisor Dr Steve Hambleton AM said "Immediate access to critical diagnostic information wherever requested is a quantum leap forward in supporting clinicians to make the best decisions for the patient."
With 4 clear outcomes, the strategy will ensure that no matter what corner of the country Australians call home, they will be able to reap the benefits of digital healthcare that is tailored to their circumstances.
Want to read more? Download the strategy and roadmap.
$50m to develop world-leading artificial heart
The world’s most advanced artificial heart could halve deaths from heart failure globally and contribute $1.8 billion to Australia and Australian society. Researchers behind the Total Artificial Heart have received $50 million from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund to develop and commercialise the state-of-the-art technology.
Smart Respiratory Innovations in asthma: Smart Rescue Asthma inhaler
This inhaler automatically records when it's used and detects when your asthma is getting worse so you and your healthcare providers can take steps in time.
Boost for corneal blindness research
Did you know corneal disease is the third most common form of blindness, but for every 70 patients around the world that need a transplant, just one donor cornea is available? University of Sydney-led BIENCO, a consortium of Australian experts, is developing bioengineered corneas, which will help reduce the number of donors required and prevent people becoming needlessly blind. Australian Government funding of $35 million will support the establishment of a manufacturing facility to produce and supply the artificial corneas across Australia and the world.
Provider Connect Australia™
Healthcare provider organisations can reduce red tape and improve the quality of healthcare service information throughout the healthcare ecosystem with Provider Connect Australia™ (also known as PCA™). PCA is a foundation program of the National Digital Health Strategy. The platform allows healthcare organisations to maintain accurate information about the services they provide and the practitioners who deliver them, in a single place. This improves the accuracy of healthcare service and practitioner information, while reducing duplication and streamlining notifications.
One year after launching, PCA has taken a significant step forward to support Australia's allied health sector, with the Australian Podiatry Association (APodA) the first allied peak body to register for the business information service. APodA joins Foxo as new members of PCA’s network.
Learn more about how PCA works and its growing network of participating business partners.
Healthcare providers and allied health professionals such as podiatrists can register for Provider Connect Australia via our website.
Australian Healthcare Week 2024
The largest and leading healthcare event in the southern hemisphere took place from 20 to 21 March. Australian Digital Health Agency’s Chief Digital Health Officer Peter O'Halloran provided an update on the National Healthcare Interoperability Plan.
iTnews Benchmark Awards
Congratulations to our Chief Digital Officer, Peter O'Halloran, who was recognised for his leadership in digital innovation at the iTnews Benchmark Awards. Peter received the Technology Leader of the Year Award and the inaugural iTnews Federal Government Technology Leader Award.
Keeping communities connected and in control
Digital health tools such as My Health Record, telehealth and electronic prescriptions are helping Boab Health Services empower people in Western Australia’s Kimberley region to take control of their health.
"Digital health is amazing because it means that our clients can remain in community and it saves them having to travel thousands of kilometres." – Sarina Martin
Online learning for GPs
How can general practitioners use My Health Record in their practice? Our free online learning module explains what key health information GPs can access to support clinical decision-making and improve patient safety, how to integrate My Health Record in general practice workflows, and the importance of uploading quality data to the My Heath Record system. This is a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited activity under the RACGP’s CPD program.
Immunisation Week
World Immunisation Week is coming up from 24 to 30 April. This year the World Health Organization is celebrating 50 years of the Essential Programme on Immunisation (EPI), a global initiative to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child.
My Health Record provides secure and convenient access to your vaccination history whenever you need it. This short online module will help you understand more about immunisation information in My Health Record.
Digital Health Workforce Summit | 30 April 2024 | Sydney
Join our Chief Program Officer Paul Creech PSM at the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH)'s Digital Health Workforce Summit in Sydney as he discusses leadership perspectives on navigating a digital health workforce.
Digital Health Festival | 7–8 May 2024 | Melbourne
Our CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM, Acting CISO Danielle P. and other agency specialists will join more than 350 speakers coming together at the Digital Health Festival to solve our most pressing healthcare challenges.
Do you know of any upcoming events in digital health? Email us at social@digitalhealth.gov.au.
If you’re after a career that’s professionally and personally rewarding, with career growth, mentoring and new opportunities that appear as quickly as technology evolves, take a look at the latest jobs available at the Australian Digital Health Agency.
- Graduate Program – hiring across Digital, Data, Human Resources, Legal, Generalist and Indigenous streams – applications close 12 April 2024, 11 pm
- Senior IT Support Analyst – applications close 11 April 2024, 11 pm
- Operations Officer – applications close 12 April 2024, 11 pm
See more vacancies on our careers page.
The world of digital health evolves in a heartbeat. Help us stay on the pulse by sharing your thoughts, news and ideas.
Email: social@digitalhealth.gov.au
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