Nexon Blog - Inclusive healthcare: Breaking down barriers to essential care through digital innovation

Millions of Australians are missing out on essential healthcare because of where they live, their income or limited digital access. With fewer than half the number of medical practitioners per capita in remote areas compared to major cities¹, extending access beyond traditional boundaries is now a national priority.

This article is part of a series examining how providers can align their digital investments to optimise care delivery and address the four key pillars of Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy: digitally enabled, person-centred, inclusive (this article) and data-driven healthcare.

Australia’s vision: Access to care for everyone, everywhere

Australia's National Digital Health Strategy 2 outlines a clear vision for the future of inclusive care, where: Australians have equitable access to health services, when and where they need them.

This vision recognises that true healthcare quality requires not just excellence in treatment but also ensuring that all Australians can access appropriate care when needed, regardless of their location, background or ability.

For healthcare providers, delivering on this inclusive vision means adopting technologies that overcome traditional barriers to care, whether geographical, cultural, physical or financial. Digital solutions play a crucial role in this effort to reach individuals who might otherwise miss out.

Further reading
Digitally enabled healthcare: Elevating care through connected, secure systems
With providers under pressure to deliver better patient outcomes with limited resources, service efficiency is under the microscope.
Further reading
Person-centred healthcare: Putting patients in control with digital empowerment
Patients now demand active participation in their healthcare decisions, and modern technology makes this possible.
Further reading
Data-driven healthcare: Sharing insights to transform patient outcomes
Data is the key to healthcare transformation, yet most organisations fail to unlock its full potential.

Why access remains unequal

Healthcare and aged care organisations face significant barriers to truly inclusive care:

Geographical limitations

Geographical limitations: Australia’s vastness means that many rural and remote communities have limited access to healthcare facilities and specialists, resulting in inequities in care availability.

Workforce distribution

Workforce distribution: Healthcare professionals remain heavily concentrated in urban areas, and organisations across Australia often struggle to fill critical roles, from cybersecurity specialists to clinical staff.

Digital divide

Digital divide: While digital solutions can help bridge gaps, not all Australians have equal access to reliable internet connections or the devices needed to engage with digital health services.

Cultural considerations

Cultural considerations: For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally diverse populations, healthcare services must be delivered in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner that incorporates diverse perspectives.

Ageing population

Ageing population: As Australia’s population ages, the aged care sector faces increasing pressure to deliver accessible care that maintains dignity and independence while meeting the complex health needs of older Australians.

Digital solutions for inclusive healthcare

Technology offers powerful ways to overcome these barriers and extend healthcare access:

Digital care in action: United platform for Epilepsy Smart Australia

Organisations embracing inclusive digital approaches are delivering meaningful improvements in care access. The Epilepsy Foundation collaborated with Nexon to unite six state-based organisations on a single platform, creating a national support network to reach more Australians living with epilepsy3 across different states and locations, breaking down geographical barriers to care.

What we've achieved with Nexon is more than a technology upgrade. It's a transformation in how we can support Australians living with epilepsy. We're now better equipped to provide consistent, high-quality care across the country and to raise awareness in ways we couldn't before.

What’s next in inclusive digital healthcare?

As digital health technology continues to evolve, we can expect more sophisticated approaches to inclusivity. Innovations in remote diagnostics, AI-supported translation services and low-bandwidth telehealth solutions will further extend the reach of healthcare services.

For the aged care sector, emerging technologies will increasingly support ageing in place, allowing older Australians to remain in their communities with appropriate virtual support and monitoring.

Extending care through technology partnerships

The Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nexon collaboration offers healthcare organisations a distinct advantage in their inclusive care initiatives.

HPE’s edge-to-cloud platform provides the technical foundation for extending care beyond traditional boundaries, while Nexon’s healthcare-specific expertise ensures these solutions address the unique challenges of Australian healthcare delivery.

By combining HPE’s innovative technology with Nexon’s healthcare experience, organisations can confidently implement inclusive care models that reach more Australians with consistent, high-quality services. To explore more about building connected healthcare systems, download our resources:

eBook

Australia’s Path To Data-Informed Healthcare Excellence

Our latest research paper, Australia’s Path to Data-Driven Healthcare Excellence, explores the challenges for healthcare leaders, and helps identify a path towards modernised, digital care.

Discover more about our healthcare technology solutions

Discover how we can help expand your care beyond traditional boundaries, or contact Nexon to discuss your goals.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise