Government Gives $6 Billion For Digital Health

Australia’s Federal Government has added to its Digital Regions Initiative to increase services to remote communities

The Rudd Government today announced four additional projects for the Digital Regions Initiative and claims that people will “benefit directly from improved access to digital health services, online educational opportunities and improved emergency and disaster response,” according to the Minister for Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.

The Digital Regions Initiative funds projects in partnership with the states and territories. The four new projects announced today are:

  • Justice Health Clinical Outreach Program Phase II. Using telehealth systems to enhance health outcomes and wellbeing for people in custody and for their families in NSW. $1.265 million in funding.
  • HEALNet, Online Professional Development for Health Professionals. A TAFE NSW project to enable nurses and allied health professionals to complete professional development online. $0.881 million in funding.
  • South Australian Digital Telehealth Network. To enhance in-patient care and distance consultation services including 24/7 triage and liaison services in South Australia. $2.480 million in funding.
  • NSW Ambulance Service Clinical Outreach Program Phase II. To implement new medical record, administration and e-learning systems at 190 ambulance stations in NSW. $1.795 million in funding.