The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) will co-host Australia's inaugural SNOMED CT* Expo next year. The event will unite global leaders in Sydney in 2026 to explore advancements in clinical terminology and digital health innovation.
Acting Agency CEO Peter O’Halloran said co-hosting the event with SNOMED International highlights Australia’s commitment to digital health innovation and global collaboration.
“As the stewards of digital health standards in this country, the Agency welcomes this opportunity to accelerate collaboration and knowledge-sharing, enabling healthcare professionals worldwide to harness digital technologies that improve patient care and outcomes,” Mr O’Halloran said.
SNOMED International CEO Don Sweete highlights Australia's significant contributions to the global SNOMED CT community, particularly in advancing clinicians' adoption of electronic health records, prescribing, and clinical terminology.
"From enhancing the patient experience to streamlining how clinicians document and share encounters, Australia is a front-runner in advancing a single global language of health, driving better, more efficient, and safer healthcare," Mr Sweete said.
Acting Agency Chief Digital Officer Danielle Pentony said Australia has been a founding SNOMED International Member since 2007, actively supporting the adoption and advancement of SNOMED CT.
“SNOMED CT enables the seamless exchange of clinical information across borders. This event will bring global experts together to progress connected care for the benefit of healthcare consumers and clinicians,” Ms Pentony said.
Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 positions the country as a leader in digital health, with initiatives like the National Clinical Terminology Service and Australian Medicines Terminology improving interoperability and consumer access to health records.
Australia has been recognised for its leadership in healthcare technology, advancing the nation's commitment in digital health, strengthening interoperability, and enhancing clinical terminology to improve patient care worldwide.
SNOMED CT Expo 2026, the premier global event for clinical terminology, will unite international experts to advance data-driven health systems and interoperability. The two-day conference will feature panels, lightning talks, networking, and SNOMED International Business Meetings, fostering collaboration in the evolving digital health landscape.
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Media contact
Email: media@digitalhealth.gov.au
Terminology
*SNOMED CT: the Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms, is a clinical terminology system used to record and exchange clinical information in electronic health records. It's a structured vocabulary that allows clinicians to represent clinical concepts in a standardised and unambiguous way, enabling computers to understand and interpret the information effectively.
About the Australian Digital Health Agency
When it comes to improving the health of all Australians, the role of digital innovation and connection is a vital part of a modern, accessible healthcare system. Against the backdrop of COVID-19, digital health has seen exponential growth in relevance and importance, making it more pertinent than ever for all Australians and healthcare providers.
Better patient healthcare and health outcomes are possible when you have a health infrastructure that can be safely accessed, easily used and responsibly shared.
To achieve this, the National Digital Health Strategy is establishing the foundations for a sustainable health system that constantly improves. It underpins and coordinates work that is already happening between governments, healthcare providers, consumers, innovators and the technology industry.
The Australian Digital Health Agency is jointly funded by the Australian Government and all state and territory governments.
About SNOMED International
SNOMED International is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for the ownership, development, and ongoing stewardship of SNOMED CT - the world’s most comprehensive clinical terminology.
Serving 50 Member countries and used in more than 80 worldwide, SNOMED CT provides the foundation for a shared language in healthcare, enabling consistency, accuracy, and global interoperability. We work in close collaboration with our members and the wider global healthcare community to advance standards for health terminology, continuously improving SNOMED CT in support of patient safety and high-quality care.
By enabling health information to flow seamlessly across borders and systems, SNOMED CT benefits an international community of patients, providers, policymakers, and innovators alike.
SNOMED International is committed to the ongoing evolution of our products and services, driving continuous innovation to meet the changing needs of global healthcare.
For more information, visit www.snomed.org.