‘Open Hospitals’ initiative launched in Queensland
The Queensland government has introduced an innovative online portal known as ‘Open Hospitals’ to provide real-time updates on wait times and patient queues at emergency departments across the state.
The portal, which is refreshed every 15-30 minutes, offers visibility into the performance of 25 major EDs and seven satellite hospitals in Queensland, allowing residents to make informed decisions about their healthcare options.
“Queenslanders now have access to critical information that enables them to choose the most suitable healthcare facilities,” stated Minister for Ambulance and Health Services, Tim Nicholls.
Dr. Danielle Allan, president of the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland, emphasized the portal’s significance in supporting rural GPs in referring patients to hospital EDs efficiently.
Victoria to unveil virtual women’s health clinic
The Government of Victoria has announced plans to launch a virtual women’s health clinic to address the healthcare needs of women residing in regional and remote communities.
Scheduled to commence operations later this year, the virtual clinic will offer telehealth and online services encompassing endometriosis and pelvic pain care, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause care, breast health care, and abortion services.
Operated in collaboration with community health organization EACH, the clinic will be led by specialist nurses, as part of the state government’s A$153 million ($96 million) women’s health package.
Western Australia allocates $3 million for digital health initiatives
The Western Australian government has allocated nearly A$5 million ($3 million) in funding to support various digital health research projects in the region.
Among the 14 funded projects, eight are spearheaded by researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA), securing approximately A$3 million ($1.8 million) in grants. Notable projects include the development of Orva, an AI-powered personalized health platform.
Additional initiatives from UWA involve AI applications for predicting sepsis in emergency departments and data analytics-driven diabetes management programs.
The grants are part of the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, which has disbursed A$215 million to over 600 recipients since its inception in 2020.
