The Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) welcomes the new ministry, sworn in yesterday, after the Labor Government’s re-election on May 3.
“A new parliamentary term brings new opportunities for reform that will be crucial to improving health system efficiencies, supporting our stretched healthcare workforce and enhancing care delivery for Australians,” DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede said.
The DHCRC released its policy priorities in the lead up to the federal election, calling for a national entity to enhance the growth and translation of an evidence base for the role of AI in healthcare, and investment in training and education to develop a digitally enabled healthcare workforce.
“Congratulations to both the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler MP, and Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP, on their reappointments to their respective portfolios. We look forward to working with them to empower the health workforce and improve health system and patient outcomes,” Ms Schmiede said.
Ms Schmiede also welcomes the appointment of Senator Tim Ayres as Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science and Dr Andrew Charlton MP as Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy.
“We thank outgoing Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP for his consistent support of the DHCRC in its mission to advance digital health innovation to improve Australians’ health,” Ms Schmiede said.
“The Strategic Examination of Research & Development, began by Minister Husic, and the National Health and Medical Research Strategy are two vital initiatives for Australia’s health and medical research and innovation sector that offer the opportunity for real reform to deliver a more strategically coordinated ecosystem that addresses national priorities and supports Australia to become a regional hub for health innovation,” Ms Schmiede said.
Ms Schmiede also thanks outgoing Aged Care Minister Anika Wells MP for leading the way on reforming the aged care sector to enhance care delivery to elderly Australians and congratulates Sam Rae MP on his appointment as Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.
“We look forward to working with Minister Rae on the establishment of a roadmap for the adoption of standardised aged care data across the aged care sector – a vital step to improve patient safety, foster care coordination, and ultimately reduce inefficiencies and costs across the aged care system,” Ms Schmiede said.
