Delivering better care through virtual infrastructure

The Tasmanian Government is utilising innovative models of care so that Tasmanians can receive the healthcare they need, sooner.

Marking Virtual Care Awareness Week 2024, Deputy Premier, Guy Barnett, joined incoming Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, to see firsthand the positive improvements underway across Tasmania’s health system, reducing pressure on our hospitals and driving down waitlists.

“Virtual care options are changing the game when it comes to delivering fast and effective healthcare,” Mr Barnett said.

“Our plan to transform the way in which we deliver healthcare is well underway with virtual infrastructure being rolled out right across the State.

“This includes the new Outpatient Clinics where Tasmanians undertake digital consultations prior to their surgery, streamlining processes and saving time for both patients and staff.

“By implementing these strategies, we have increased the number of outpatient appointments to 50,000 every single month.

“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we are determined to deliver a more effective and efficient health service, and the Digital Health Transformation is delivering this in spades.”

In-coming Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, welcomed the investments which are already delivering positive results and reducing pressure on the health system.

“If we are to shift the dial when it comes to delivering faster, more efficient health care we must think outside the box. Initiatives that deliver virtual infrastructure and new innovative digital systems mean that our health care workers can focus more on the patient, than paperwork,” Ms Petrusma said.

“Our Government’s Digital Health Transformation is an important piece to improving Tasmania’s health system and I look forward to championing further initiatives.”

Initiatives rolled out as part of the Tasmanian Government’s 10-year Digital Health Transformation include:

• Our nation-leading eReferrals system - Tasmanians are benefitting from the Government’s nation-leading eReferrals system, with more than 60,000 eReferrals received since it launched 12 months ago;
• Did Not Attend Campaign – this awareness campaign addresses the 55,000 missed outpatient appointments last year. Underlining the need to attend appointments, or let the Department know, so we can reallocate to the next person inline – If you can’t make it, let someone else take it!;
• Best Possible Medication History - reduces administrative duplication for medication history in Emergency Departments;
• External Correspondence - allows clinicians to correspond with 100+ interstate hospitals and clinics digitally rather than through paper-based processes;
• Free public Wi-Fi - now available at Tasmania’s main hospitals and regional clinics including Flinders Island, to help visitors and patients stay connected with family and friends during their stay;
• Free TV in Tasmanian hospitals – from 3 July, TV has been free in all of Tasmania’s major hospitals;
• HEART Discharge Summary Reporting Dashboard – improves discharge management;
• EndoVault upgrade - helps manage daily patient appointments, procedure reporting, and surgical image storage;
• Correctional Primary Health and Forensic Mental Health - improved access to patient information across services and easier communication statewide as clinicians are all using the same system; and
• Going Home Plan - provides an individualised plan to help for stroke patients transition from Hospital to home.

The Tasmanian Government has committed $476 million over 10 years to implement its Digital Health Transformation Program.

For more information on Digital Health Transformation, go to The Digital Health Transformation program 2022 - 2032 | Tasmanian Department of Health.