Queensland Government: strengthening its investment in eHealth

A national research facility, leading the way in ICT healthcare innovation in Australia, was officially opened in Brisbane today by Minister for Health the Hon. Stephen Robertson MP.

Established in 2003, The Australian eHealth Research Centre (AEHRC) is a joint venture between the CSIRO, the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry and Queensland Health that aims to improve patient care through Information Communications Technology (ICT) research.

The AEHRC has become a leading national research facility, combining CSIRO’s capabilities in information and communication technologies and health, with Queensland’s extensive health research and clinical expertise.

Opening the AEHRC’s new premises at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Minister Robertson today said the centre would be crucial for Queensland Health in establishing its vital eHealth strategy.

“Like many countries across the world we have recognised that health ICT is going to be essential for meeting the demands of growing and ageing populations and as a result we have embarked upon what is likely to be one of the largest change agendas healthcare in this State will face,” Minister Robertson said.

“The Queensland Government is forging ahead with its eHealth agenda, last week announcing the establishment of an eHealth alliance between Queensland Health, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and Electronic Data Systems (EDS).

“This alliance is the first of its kind and yet again demonstrates the Bligh Government’s commitment to building tomorrow’s future, today,” he said.

Minister Robertson said once e-health was fully implemented, urban, rural and regional communities would have similar access to patient information and clinical decision support systems.

“Queensland’s eHealth agenda is about harnessing the recent explosion in technological developments – wireless, broadband, Internet and imaging technologies – to ensure clinicians are able to provide better, safer and more effective care to our patients,” Minister Robertson said.

“It is for these reasons that our partnership with organisations such as the Australian eHealth Research Centre will be integral in not only bringing together research, expertise and understanding best practice, but in helping to propel this vital strategy forward.

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside the Australian eHealth Research Centre as we pursue the discovery of new ways ICT can help achieve a better, safer, more effective, integrated health system where the patient’s needs are central,” he said.

Headquartered in Brisbane the Australian eHealth Research Centre has branches in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and comprises a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognised researchers, software engineers and PhD students.

Notes to Editors:

• Over a five year period (from 2007-2012), Queensland Health has agreed to a financial commitment of $5 million to the Australian eHealth Research Centre.

• This funding is being matched dollar-for-dollar by the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry (DTRDI) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

• Although it has been in operation since 2003, this Centre was officially opened on Monday 21 July by Health Minister the Hon Stephen Robertson MP.

• Qld Health’s eHealth agenda began with the announcement of funding in mid 2007 and is being led by clinicians from both within Queensland Health and external health organisations alongside ICT experts.

Ends.

For media inquiries contact: Catherine Goldie on 0417 634044