Going digital is now the priority for the Australian National Care Plan.
In a news article by Australian Ageing Agenda, the use of digital technology, with it’s aim to power informal carers, is now the priority of the digital health agency in its forthcoming national strategy.
Sources said the country’s digital health agency completed a three-month national public consultation last February, regarding the new National Digital Health Strategy, which will be released later this year.
In a webcast, agency CEO Tim Kelsey said many are dependent on informal support, which is why it’s of utmost importance to make sure that Australia’s 2.7 million carers are supported.
The CEO lamented that these informal carers are often overlooked when it comes to talks on how the clinical community will be empowered. He said these carers are a fundamental part of health service delivery.
“One of the most important things I am hoping to develop in this strategy is some meaningful ways to use digital technology to enable and empower carers so they are able to work, care and access digital services at no cost.”
CEO Tim Kelsey via Australian Ageing Agenda
Consumer Health Forum CEO Leanne Wells echoed Kelsey’s sentiments and said that it’s often the missing piece when it comes to “care equation.”
“They are an important audience, intermediary and advocate for supporting the diffusion of innovation that we have.”
Consumer Health Forum CEO Leanne Wells via Australian Ageing Agenda
Apart from focusing on informal carers, Australia is prioritising the digitisation of healthcare, as this will build a bridge to those who have a hard time accessing resources.
Those in remote and rural areas encounter these blockages most, but this is changing thanks to the National Broadband Network’s (nbn®) launch of its satellite, making it possible for national health digitalisation to cover rural and regional Australia.
The nbn® Sky Muster satellite brings better satellite internet connectivity to regional Australia. To get onboard Sky Muster, call Activ8me today 13 22 88 or visit: https://activ8me.net.au/internet/skymuster