The Australian Government has committed
A$55
million over 7 years in funding over a period of 7 years for a Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
Government and industry partners will contribute a total of A$174.2 million in cash and in-kind over the period.
The Digital Health CRC is seeking to improve health outcomes
for Australians through the use of digital technologies which can improve
access to the right health care, lower costs and increase understanding and
awareness. It seeks to empower
consumers; help understand and manage health risks of individuals and
communities; support clinical practice; improve system efficiency and access to
quality care.
The CRC is examining better ways to share information on
adverse reactions and developing better decision support apps.
Its objectives also include advancing the economy and building and enhancing businesses to
provide high value jobs and solutions in a growing global market.
This will be accomplished through collaborative research and development that combines multi-disciplinary
skills, industry knowledge, technologies, networks and data.
The research programs underpinning the Centre include: 1) Enabling
information discovery and application; 2) Identifying and managing health risk;
3) Better value, quality, access & safety; and 4) Consumer empowerment and
positive behavior.
The CRC will assemble partners from across Australia’s
health and wellness landscape.
According to a press
release from the University of Sydney, which is a lead partner in this CRC,
participants include 40 commercial and government organisations operating
across the health, aged care and disability sectors; 24 established and
start-up technology, advisory and investment companies; and 16 Australian
universities.
The Centre has the support of both the Australian Digital
Health Agency and the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals industry growth
centre (MTP Connect).
Professor
Tim Shaw from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor
Adam Elshaug, Co-Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy – both of
the University of Sydney’s multidisciplinary Charles Perkins Centre –
are named lead investigators in the CRC.
Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash said, “The
Digital Health CRC brings together industry and research partners to advance
our health and medical technologies, and pharmaceutical industries, in a
collaborative and multidisciplinary way.”
"The CRC will address industry issues by supporting
clinical practice, improving access to quality care, fostering high value jobs
and developing Australia's future digital Health workforce.”
Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation, Zed Seselja
added, “CRCs link researchers with industry and government with a focus towards
research application. This is why the CRC Program continues to be at the
forefront of the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving the
competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries,”
Assistant Minister Seselja said.
The Australian Government’s CRC
Program is administered by AusIndustry, a division within the Department of
Industry, Innovation and Science. The CRC Program aims to foster high quality
research to solve industry-identified problems through industry-led and
outcome-focused collaborative research partnerships between industry entities
and research organisations.
