Priority 6 - Leading innovation and technology
We will continue to embrace innovation and technology to create a more connected and equitable health system.
High-speed internet, mobile connectivity, and telehealth are transforming the way that we deliver care in many parts of country WA, and this is only the beginning. By effectively harnessing technology, research, and the innovation capacity of our workforce we can create more connected regional and remote communities and ensure that all Western Australians, irrespective of location, have reliable access to the same quality of care. By increasing our capability to scan the horizons of Australia and abroad for new practices and technologies, we will advance the health outcomes of country communities. We have strategies to help drive innovation including a Digital Strategy and a Research and Innovation Strategy.
Actions
Harness digital technology, data and artificial intelligence to deliver more innovative health services
We are continuously looking to integrate new digital technologies that improve outcomes for patients, support clinician decision-making and empower consumers with accessible health information. We will support the progression of an electronic medical record. This will provide access to a single source of patient information and adoption of integrated systems, increasing transparency and coordination of care across WACHS and the healthcare system. We will foster a culture of courage and innovation to support collaboration for change.
Increase our use of virtual care and other technologies to provide more accessible care, closer to home
Virtual health technologies have the potential to substantially improve access to care across country WA and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to access care. The last five years has seen a significant expansion in the use of virtual health technologies and we are proud to be a global leader in emergency telehealth services. We will continue to work with partners to expand the reach and use of virtual health across all of our services emerging mental health and consumer-centred solutions.
Establish a WACHS innovation function to connect people and ideas across WA and beyond
To be a global leader in regional and remote healthcare we must be at the forefront of innovation and connected to research and ideas that will improve health outcomes. We will establish a WACHS innovation function, which will enable staff to access translational research and draw inspiration from practices across a range of industries in Australia and internationally to improve the way we deliver care in country WA.
Develop clear pathways to identify, pilot and scale up new ideas
Innovation isn’t just about the latest technology, we need to harness the collective experience and ideas of our workforce on how we continue to improve the way we deliver care. We will create a culture that supports staff to try new things and establish clear pathways that make it easier to develop, test and share new ideas across the organisation.
Measures of success
- ↑ Access to emergency, specialised clinical and outpatient telehealth services
- ↑ Staff use of digital applications
- ↑ Staff involvement in innovation activities
- ↑ Frontline ideas that are translated into practice
- ↑ Participation in national and international rural and remote health research
- ↑ Evidence of technology, data and artificial intelligence usage to improve services and patient outcomes