The Tasmanian Government has invested over $150 million in its digital health infrastructure, transforming the delivery of patient care across the state for the next four years.
Tasmania’s Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff stated that the 2022-23 State Budget commitment formed a part of the state’s Digital Health Strategy.
“It is also anticipated that more than $475 million will be allocated to the project over the next 10 years as the Digital Health Strategy is further scoped and developed,” he said in a media release.
With the $150 million, the Tasmanian Government will be able to launch a new state-wide fully integrated care platform that will enable hospitals, GPs, community health, allied health, and other specialist providers to seamlessly communicate and share information with each other.
The first four years of the funding will see to the procurement and trial of a centralised and secure Electronic Medical Record system, as well as a statewide patient record viewer that will connect all public and private health and care providers. This is to improve access of up-to-date clinical information across a range of healthcare settings.
The investment will also help upgrade existing virtual care technologies so that patients can receive care in their home or community. Aside from this, the upgrades will also streamline the referral and appointment process for patients and enhance clinical decision-making through access to advanced data and analytics.
The expected transformation across the state’s digital health industry will deliver a range of benefits for patients, such as access to convenient healthcare in local communities, improved communications about appointments, reduced waiting time for services, and less duplication of care and forms.
It will also prevent unnecessary hospital visits and provide Tasmania’s health professionals with the right data in the right place and time for them to make the best decisions on patient care.
These changes are expected to free up clinicians, allowing them more time for clinical activities and caring for patients by lessening their time on administrative tasks and paperwork.
“In today’s rapidly changing health environment, we recognise that modern digital health infrastructure is just as important as bricks and mortar, particularly as Tasmania’s ageing population and increased rates of chronic disease are projected to drive increased demand for hospital care in the years ahead,” the media release states.
“That’s why this investment represents a major step toward becoming the first Australian State with a fully integrated healthcare system that is ready to meet the challenges of the future.”
By linking public and private health services in one digitally connected network, the Tasmanian Government plans to transform patient experience, improve patient care, and ensure greater equity in health outcomes across the state’s dispersed population.
Source: Tasmanian Government Media Release