From remote communities like Santa Teresa in the Northern Territory that are fully connected to digital health systems, to Australians now able to access most pathology results in real time, the National Digital Health Strategy Action and Impact Report 2023–2025 (the report) highlights the progress and impact of the National Digital Health Strategy 2023–2028 (the strategy) in action.
The report, released by the Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) today, sets out the demonstrable changes and improvements the strategy and its accompanying Delivery Roadmap (the roadmap) have delivered for Australians, communities and the healthcare sector nationwide.
Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM said the report shows strong progress, with 47% of the Agency-led initiatives delivered and the rest underway.
“These outcomes have driven increased information sharing across care teams and provided greater access to digital health tools,” Ms Cattermole said.
“Australians are experiencing the benefits directly - with a 47.6% increase in consumer participation, with over 130 million My Health Record views, and more than 788,563 total downloads of the my health app.”
Agency Chief Program Officer Paul Creech said the progress is a direct result of the commitment and collaboration of all Agency partners.
“This report is a testament to what we can achieve when we work with a collective focus across governments, healthcare, industry, researchers and the community, who are all essential in delivering the strategy’s vision to create an inclusive, sustainable and healthier future for all Australians through a connected and digitally enabled health system,” Mr Creech said.
Agency Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine) Dr Amandeep Hansra said the capacity for digital health to bridge gaps in healthcare access and equity is evident in Santa Teresa, where the staff of the Mpwelarre Health Service rely on My Health Record to overcome language barriers and see a patient’s key health information.
“Santa Teresa is a powerful example of how enhanced access to each community member’s key health information in the My Health Record system can improve care coordination,” Dr Hansra said.
“Local health professionals are also using other digital health tools to deliver responsive care, while community members are supported by education and resources developed in close collaboration with Aboriginal health organisations.”
The strategy is setting a benchmark internationally*, not just in technology but in its focus on person-centred, inclusive care.
As the lead, co-lead or partner in many of the strategy’s 80 initiatives, the Agency is committed to sustaining the momentum.
Download the National Digital Health Strategy Action and Impact Report 2023–2025 (PDF, 4.75 MB).
Download the media release (PDF, 301.45 KB).
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Media contact
Email: media@digitalhealth.gov.au
*The strategy is recognised as a world-leading e-health framework for the vision, objectives, methods of implementation, and monitoring and evaluation model; an international, peer reviewed research paper by Uppsala University, Sweden, which studied the eHealth strategies of 9 OECD countries.
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.
For further information: www.digitalhealth.gov.au.
About the National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028
The National Digital Health Strategy 2023–2028 is a world-leading e-health framework, developed on behalf of all Australian Governments, to envision an inclusive, sustainable, and healthier future for all Australians through a connected and digitally enabled health system.
The strategy is centred around four key health system outcomes and 12 priority areas. The strategy aims to ensure a health system that is digitally enabled, person-centred, inclusive, and data driven. Supporting its implementation is the National Digital Health Strategy Delivery Roadmap 2023–2028, comprising 80 initiatives to achieve the strategy’s vision.
Overseeing progress at the national level, the Agency is responsible for key aspects of the strategy, including the expansion of My Health Record and other digital health infrastructure to promote secure and safe use across the country.