- Digital health and innovation expo showcases the possibilities of future health care
- West Australian and national innovators showcase cutting-edge digital health technology
- The mini expo is an initiative arising from the Sustainable Health Review Panel
Stroke detection through gaming, immersive virtual technology and 3D holograms of general practitioners were among the digital advancements on display at the 'Art of the Possible' expo held in East Perth today.
Initiated by the Sustainable Health Review (SHR) Panel, the mini digital health and innovation expo involved 20 WA and national innovators showcasing leading-edge digital technology for the health sector.
The expo also showcased independent living technology to assist people stay safely in their own home, an app to help delay the symptoms of Huntington's, and an unobtrusive and easy-to-wear monitor to measure heart rhythm and detect potentially deadly cardiac problems.
One of the main themes of the Sustainable Health Review Interim Report, released in February, was a focus on person-centred services and a greater use of technology, data and innovation to support consumers and clinicians.
Submissions to the SHR suggested investigating new technological initiatives such as patient navigation apps, health robotics, telehealth and virtual reality, prompting the SHR panel to organise an event to provide insights into the possibilities of emerging technology. It was well attended by health consumers, carers, clinicians and staff.
The final report of the Sustainable Health Review will be presented to Government in November.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Roger Cook:
"One of the McGowan Government's key priorities is to ensure that Western Australians enjoy the best health care possible by putting patients at the centre of policy and service delivery, and embracing the benefits of innovation and change helps us achieve this.
"This expo provides hands-on and interesting insights into this emerging space and reinforces the key themes of the Sustainable Health Review's Interim Report around primary care, health prevention and promotion, and care in the community.
"Western Australia is a leading global contributor to health innovation and medical research. Digital health is one of the fastest growing industry sectors globally, particularly mobile and wireless health.
"This expo highlights the potential within the digital healthcare industry and its technological advancements, which have the capacity to help control the health budget, create WA jobs and, most importantly, deliver better patient outcomes.
"We must move as the technology improves and we must be ready to try new approaches and ways to deliver health care."
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