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
Further reading
Person-centred healthcare: Putting patients in control with digital empowerment
Further reading
Data-driven healthcare: Sharing insights to transform patient outcomes
Why access remains unequal
Healthcare and aged care organisations face significant barriers to truly inclusive care:
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: 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: 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: 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: 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:
- Virtual care expansion: Telehealth and remote monitoring technologies allow healthcare providers to deliver services beyond their physical locations, reaching patients in remote and underserved areas. In recent years, the adoption of telehealth has increased dramatically, with many providers now offering hybrid care models that combine virtual and in-person services.
- Personal device integration: Consumer health technologies, ranging from wearables to smartphone apps, can be integrated with clinical systems to support continuous care and monitoring outside traditional healthcare settings. This is particularly valuable for managing chronic conditions in aged care settings and remote communities.
- Accessible digital interfaces: Designing digital health tools with accessibility in mind ensures that people with disabilities, limited digital literacy or language differences can still benefit from digital health innovations.
- Cultural safety in digital design: Digital solutions that incorporate cultural considerations and are co-designed with diverse communities’ help ensure that technology bridges rather than widens existing gaps in 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 epilepsy across different states and locations, breaking down geographical barriers to care.
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:
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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.
References:
1
Aihw.gov.au: Health Workforce in Australia, 2024
2
Digitalhealth.gov.au: Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy (2023 – 2028)
3
Nexon Case Study: Epilepsy Smart Australia
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