A message from our CEO Annette Schmiede – December 2024

A reflection on a transformative year for digital health 

As we approach the close of another year, it is the ideal moment to reflect on what has been a milestone year for digital health and the DHCRC. The past 12 months have marked significant advancements in innovation, collaboration, and the adoption of digital technologies within Australia’s healthcare landscape. This progress builds on the momentum sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which illuminated the potential of digital health to revolutionise patient care.

A standout development this year was the growing focus on embedding digital tools to create a robust and sustainable healthcare system, especially as we face challenges like an ageing population, rising chronic disease prevalence, and persistent workforce shortages. The release of the Productivity Commission report emphasised the transformative role of digital technology in generating cost savings and enhancing connectivity within our healthcare ecosystem. DHCRC is proud to have facilitated consultation with its SME partners as part of this process.

AI and the future of healthcare
Artificial intelligence has dominated discussions across industries this year, and healthcare is no exception. While the potential of AI to drive efficiency and improve outcomes is immense, its application in such a personal and private domain requires thoughtful implementation. At DHCRC, we are deeply engaged in projects that incorporate AI, ensuring its integration is underpinned by strong ethical frameworks and consistent guardrails. As highlighted in this year’s achievements, our Research and Development initiatives focus on developing scalable, evidence-based tools that benefit healthcare workers and improve patient outcomes.

Building pathways for innovation
One of DHCRC’s critical roles is to forge commercialisation pathways for digital health solutions, translating innovation into practical applications. Unlike the more established life sciences sectors, pathways for digital health innovation remain nascent. Projects like ADaPT Eastern Health and Aged Care Data Compare Plus exemplify our commitment to collaborating with industry and academia to build these pathways.

Additionally, our education and workforce initiatives have been pivotal in nurturing emerging talent. This year, we celebrated 170 current and graduated emerging leaders who have honed their skills through DHCRC-sponsored programs. The establishment of Australia’s first cross-university digital health network, the Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health with 37 founding members, marks a significant step forward in advancing evidence-based research, collaboration, and curriculum implementation.

A national and local focus
This year also saw the Federal Government commit substantial funding to the Digital Health Blueprint and Action Plan, a vital step forward. Challenges remain, particularly in promoting local innovation and fostering collaboration across governments, industry, and universities. Addressing these gaps, such as reforming government procurement policies, is a priority as we strive to bolster Australian SMEs and prevent talent from seeking opportunities offshore.

A personal highlight this year was visiting Pirlangimpi in the Tiwi Islands, where we are collaborating with the community to explore how technology can enhance primary care in remote Indigenous communities. This experience reinforced the importance of equitable access to digital health solutions.

Looking ahead
Securing an unfunded extension from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) was a testament to the value of DHCRC’s work. Over the next two years, we will deepen our focus on embedding research and education through leadership, commercialisation, and translation programs while continuing to support Australia’s digital health technology sector.

Our mission remains clear: to transform healthcare for all Australians through collaboration, innovation, and the strategic use of digital technologies. We are fortunate to work with 64 participant organisations across government, academia, and industry, all at the forefront of this evolution. Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental in our journey.

Thank you and season’s greetings
As we close the year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our Board, partners, participants, and the dedicated DHCRC team. Together, we have achieved remarkable progress and laid a strong foundation for an even brighter future. I hope you have a restful and festive holiday season, and I look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.