Digital Government Health and Aged Care

Modernising Australia’s digital health system for better healthcare

Aiza Mabayag Nov 27, 2020

2 min read

After stakeholders were invited to contribute to the future of the national infrastructure in 2019, the Australian Digital Health Agency is now modernising the national digital health infrastructure to better connect Australia’s healthcare system and deliver significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of healthcare.

Australian Digital Health Agency’s CEO Amanda Cattermole said the previous year showed tangible benefits of having a better-connected healthcare system.

“In addition to the benefits from telehealth and electronic prescriptions, healthcare providers are in increasing numbers using My Health Record as a safe and secure way to upload and access documents to support patient care,” CEO Cattermole said.

By modernising the national digital health infrastructure, its results can provide frameworks for other future innovations.

The National Infrastructure Modernisation program was developed after the feedback from stakeholders. The program was made to consider what a digital health ecosystem could be over a 10-year horizon.

It also supports Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy and the connections between state and territory government services.

The Program will deliver three key outcomes for Australian healthcare providers and patients:

a secure and sustainable digital infrastructure with improved ability to innovate and expand future capabilities and services nationally;
ensure that digital health needs for all users are further progressed through a modern, future-proofed seamless digital platform; and
ensure that the benefits of digital health technologies and services supported by the national infrastructure are realised for consumers and clinicians, leading to improved health and wellbeing for all Australians.

Chief Information Officer Kerri Burden said the program is currently focused on replacing the current gateway services for the national infrastructure. This includes the My Health Record system.

“This is the first step in the procurement to increase the opportunity to deliver contemporary digital services and enhance connections across the digital landscape. The importance of a connected health care system has never been more evident than in 2020,” Chief Information Officer Burden said.

“We look forward to working with all our stakeholders to deliver the digital health products and services Australia needs while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.”