Optometry Australia welcomes launch of Australia’s new National Digital Health Strategy 2023-28

Optometry Australia has welcomed the launch of Australia’s latest National Digital Health Strategy 2023-28, introduced by the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) on 22 February 2024. The strategy underscores a robust emphasis on system interoperability, health information exchange, and real-time data accessibility for both consumers and clinicians.  

‘As a profession, optometry is already highly engaged in the use of technology. That makes it a profession that is both very ready to engage in digital health opportunities, and more likely to be impacted by advances in digital health technology,’ said Sarah Davies, Director of Optometry Advancement at Optometry Australia.  

‘We applaud the strategic initiatives outlined in the National Digital Health Strategy, which aims to foster a digitally enabled, person-centred, inclusive, and data-driven health ecosystem. The vision of empowering patients to be in control of their healthcare, and equipping practitioners to practice at to the full potential of their scope is evident throughout the Strategy.’

The National Digital Health Strategy delineates four fundamental change enablers and corresponding outcomes, each geared towards fortifying and revolutionising Australia’s digital health landscape over the next five years: 

• Policy and regulatory settings that cultivate digital health adoption, use and innovation 
• Secure, fit-for-purpose and connected digital solutions 
• Digitally ready and enabled health and wellbeing workforce 
• Informed, confident consumers and carers with strong digital health literacy 

It is well aligned with ADHA’s National Health Interoperability Plan, the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Digital Health Blueprint, the Australasian Institute of Digital Health’s National Digital Health Capability Action Plan and the Intergovernmental Agreement on National Digital Health 2023-2027.  

Further, initiatives within the accompanying Strategy Delivery Roadmap that are particularly relevant to optometry include: 

• The advancement of the use of electronic referrals, and the development of a roadmap for clinical content uploading from the allied health sector to the My Health Record – these initiatives support OA’s ongoing advocacy for greater integration of electronic referrals between optometry practice and public health systems.  
• The evaluation of virtual care models and mechanisms that support multidisciplinary care: this initiative mirrors OA’s commitment to collaborative care, including through the provision of Telehealth services. 
• The identification of opportunities and risks arising from broader adaptation of AI and the adoption of new medical technology recognising bioinformatics and AI in settings such as ophthalmology: these initiatives substantiate OA’s acknowledgement of the ever-expanding role of new technologies and AI within eye care. 

Optometry Australia is pleased to note that the National Digital Health Strategy, accompanied by the Roadmap, aligns with Optometry Australia’s identified preferred future for optometry in 2040, where optometry leverages digital innovation to enhance patient care, facilitate informed decision-making and promote equitable access to healthcare services.  

Optometry Australia looks forward to working closely with our members, federal, state, and territory governments, key eye health stakeholders, the digital health industry and consumers to shape and implement this transformative strategy, ensuring Australia’s digital health transformation benefits optometry, optometrists and community eye health.