ACU partners with startup to develop cutting-edge digital nursing education platform
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Sydney has joined forces with education technology startup, Skybox Health, to collaborate on a groundbreaking software for digital nursing education.
ACU’s vice chancellor, president, and professor Zlatko Skrbis emphasized the importance of this partnership in equipping health professional students with advanced digital health education. The goal is to enhance workforce capacity and capability in critical areas of need.
Stephen Guinea, ACU Faculty of Health Sciences associate professor and associate dean of Learning, Teaching, and Professional Experience, highlighted the plan to co-design software that will prepare nursing, midwifery, and allied health students for modern healthcare environments. The software will incorporate digital documentation of patient care and simulation of complex patient cases.
Skybox Health co-founder Philippa Gent, a registered nurse and paramedic, underscored the necessity to update curricula to align with evolving clinical landscapes and changing accreditation requirements related to digital capabilities.
The Australian Digital Health Agency has also initiated collaborations with universities nationwide to integrate digital health education into degree programs, ensuring that the health workforce is well-prepared to meet the needs of Australians in various healthcare settings.
Tend Health to launch New Zealand’s innovative digital mental health and addiction service
The New Zealand government has granted funding to primary healthcare provider Tend Health to establish a digital primary mental health and addiction service. The initiative aims to provide accessible mental health support to individuals, especially those facing challenges in accessing general practice services.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlighted the plan to deliver support virtually through a multi-disciplinary mental health and addictions team. The digital service will offer extended operating hours, ensuring flexible access to assistance when needed.
Tend Health’s digital service, supported by NZ$1.97 million ($1.2 million) in state funding over two years, is expected to conduct over 15,000 sessions for more than 5,000 individuals. Tend Health will match the funding dollar-for-dollar.
La Trobe University pioneers healthcare AI research with NVIDIA supercomputer deployment
La Trobe University has introduced a state-of-the-art NVIDIA supercomputer to advance medical and healthcare AI research. The installation marks a milestone as the first of its kind at an Australian university.
The NVIDIA supercomputer is housed at La Trobe’s Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI), the world’s premier university center specializing in medical and healthcare AI. Vice-chancellor and professor Theo Farrell emphasized the immense potential of AI in medical and biotech research.
The supercomputer will support collaborative research projects, such as a study on Niemann-Pick disease type C conducted by ACAMI and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. This research aims to develop gene therapy for childhood dementia conditions and provide insights into various forms of dementia affecting Australians.
La Trobe University has embraced an “AI-first approach” to enhance research, education, student support, and business operations. The supercomputer deployment was made possible through a A$10 million ($6.5 million) investment from the state government via mRNA Victoria.
