Smart, future ready systems
We are committed to strengthening smart, sustainable, and future-ready systems that strengthen care, make best use of resources, and embrace innovation to meet the evolving needs of our communities and environment.
Why this matters
Delivering high-quality care in rural settings requires efficiency, adaptability, and innovation. Resources must be used responsibly to achieve the greatest impact for communities through data-informed and collaborative decision making. Strong digital systems, virtual care, and effective use of data make services more connected, sustainable, and easier to navigate.
Planning ahead by anticipating demand, preparing for emergencies, embedding environmental sustainability, and fostering research ensures a health system that is resilient, responsive, and future ready. Strengthening transparency and accountability for funding decisions, resource allocations, and health outcomes for Aboriginal people is critical to achieving equity and improved wellbeing.
What we will do
Maximise available resources and strengthen processes through regular budget reviews, gap analysis, and evidence-based allocation. Strengthen partnerships between our clinical and non-clinal teams.
Explore new revenue opportunities and apply cost management strategies to ensure long-term service viability and meet performance expectations while maintaining accountability for resource decisions and outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
Enhance coordination between services and maximise the use of existing assets, workforce skills and partnerships to deliver high value care.
Collaborate with clinicians, communities and partners to direct investment toward services and facilities that deliver the greatest benefit, while adopting lower-emission and sustainable clinical practices.
Leverage data, forecasting, and Aboriginal partnerships to strengthen collaborative, system-wide planning that aligns local insights with state and regional priorities.
Plan proactively for future demand, population health, infrastructure, and service needs, ensure preparedness for emergencies, and embed financial and environmental sustainability into long-term planning.
Grow virtual health services to improve access, continuity, and the delivery of timely, high-quality clinical care. Ensure virtual care is accessible for our diverse population and supported by a strong local workforce.
Enhance secure, connected digital infrastructure to support appropriate data sharing and coordinated care across services. Build on state-wide digital initiatives such as the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) to provide health professionals and consumers with accurate, timely information on services, referrals, and care navigation. Continue strengthening data integrity and digital capability to ensure safety, efficiency, and community trust.
Embed research and evidence into everyday practice to drive improvement and innovation in models of care. Test, refine, and scale new approaches, positioning Western NSW as a leader in rural health research, innovation and clinical trials, while strengthening workforce capability and supporting financial sustainability.
Promote collaborative research and evaluation opportunities with Aboriginal people, communities, and organisations, supporting culturally safe participation, capacity building, and leadership across the health workforce.
Make referral, navigation, and escalation pathways clearer and more seamless, strengthening links with community pathways to reduce barriers, avoid duplication and delays, and improve patient flow across the health system.
What success will look like
- Sustainable services supported by strong financial management and effective use of resources.
- Reduced low-value care with fewer unnecessary tests and procedures, along with measurable reductions in emissions and costs, while maintaining high quality care.
- Continuous improvement of our built infrastructure to enable high-quality care.
- Increased access to high-quality virtual care and digital solutions, integrated with local services.
- Connected digital infrastructure that enables better care coordination.
- More seamless referral, navigation, and patient flow across the health system.
- Research and innovation are embedded into rural health care, driving increased research activity that responds to the needs of our communities and leads to new and improved models of care.
- Proactive planning that builds resilience, sustainability, and readiness for future health care demand and emergencies.
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