The Productivity Commission’s latest report, Leveraging digital technology in healthcare, finds making better use of emerging technology could ease pressures on our healthcare system and save over $5 billion a year. The report shows that improving the collection and use of health data, better embedding remote care services into mainstream practice, and harnessing the power of AI could significantly reduce the cost of providing care while maintaining or even improving patient outcomes.
So how can Australian healthcare providers seize the opportunities presented by digital technology? And what role does government have to play?
Join Commissioner Catherine de Fontenay from the Productivity Commission as she discusses the full findings of this new research in conversation with a panel of healthcare leaders and digital health experts. Following this discussion, the panel will take questions from the online audience.
SPEAKERS
Catherine de Fontenay, Commissioner, Productivity Commission
Catherine de Fontenay commenced a 5 year term as a full time Commissioner with the Productivity Commission in July 2019.
After completing her PhD in 1998 at Stanford University, Catherine taught at the University of New South Wales. She joined the University of Melbourne in 2001 and held roles in the Business School and the Economics Department. She has held visiting positions at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Stanford University, and the Stern School of Business, New York University. Most recently she was an Associate Professor of Economics at the Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne.
Her research has been published in a number of international journals, including the American Economic Review, the RAND Journal of Economics, and the Journal of Industrial Economics. In competition economics, her research has focused on firm-to-firm negotiations, and how mergers or exclusive dealing contracts will affect negotiated outcomes. She has also researched topics from organisational economics and development economics.
Simon Hill, General Manager Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, Northern Sydney LHD
As a former Director of ICT and now General Manager of HKH Simon leads and directs clinical service delivery, determining operational priorities and setting service delivery goals, standards and performance measures to ensure that service delivery strategies are aligned with NSLHD/NSWH objectives. Simon values the importance of staff and patient engagement to continuously improve the quality and safety of healthcare services. Simon has a passion for the public health sector and particular interests in digital transformation and developing staff to create contemporary health care environments that are patient-centred.
Kylie Woolcock, Chief Executive, Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (Administrators Appointed)
Kylie has extensive experience in the for-purpose sector, across governance, strategy, health policy, workforce development and clinical practice. She has worked from diverse perspectives, at local, state and national levels, in Australia and internationally. Kylie has a keen interest in digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence and has completed postgraduate studies in this field. She continues to work closely with a diverse range of health services and stakeholders across the health system in Australia and internationally to support shifting the system towards a person-centred, value-based system. Kylie is a Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, and a Governing Council member of the International Hospital Federation.