A new partnership between Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and Telstra Health will accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions and lead to real improvements across the Australian health and aged care systems.
The organisations have signed a strategic relationship agreement, which will leverage collective expertise, networks and products to collaborate on initiatives to digitally connect heath care.
It builds on past collaborations between CSIRO and Telstra Health, which include working on modernising digital health infrastructure, strategic support for the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) Accelerator Program, Sparked, and evaluating the benefits of aged care programs.
Dr David Hansen, CEO of CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) said the agreement recognises the value of collaboration across the digital health sector.
“This partnership with Telstra Health will facilitate access to our digital health tools and platforms by the people who can most benefit from them,” Dr Hansen said.
“From the development of standards and interoperability to active engagement with academic, industry and other partners we believe our partnership can develop solutions to improve health outcomes.”
Telstra Health’s Managing Director, Elizabeth Koff AM, said she was proud to partner with the CSIRO’s AEHRC to focus on how to develop digital health solutions to benefit all Australians.
“We have seen a huge acceleration in the adoption of digital health solutions over the past few years,” Ms Koff said.
“This non-exclusive agreement will accelerate further adoption, foster innovation and lead to real improvements in Australia’s health and aged care systems.”
The partnership builds on the existing strategic colocation at the iQ precinct at Westmead in Western Sydney which brings together industry, CSIRO, clinicians, and the academic sector to accelerate digital health.
About the Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC)
AEHRC is CSIRO’s national digital health research program. The program is recognised by health systems in Australia and across the globe as a leader in digital health research, tool and platform development and implementation.
About Telstra Health
Telstra Health develops digital solutions for the health and aged care sectors in Australia and internationally. It is Australia’s largest digital health technology company with a footprint across the spectrum of care including in primary care, aged care, hospitals, pharmacy and developing whole of population health solutions. It is bringing together this expertise and capability in a connected way to develop interoperable solutions for improving health systems and health outcomes.