Adapt new technology or get left behind, providers told at AHW
Aged care providers must embrace new technology to survive, according to an expert panel speaking at an industry event Wednesday.
Aged care providers must embrace new technology and invest in innovation to survive, according to an expert panel speaking at an industry event on Wednesday.
“In this day and age, no business can survive on legacy technology,” said Daniel Pettman – chief information officer at BaptistCare NSW and ACT.
Mr Pettman was one of four panellists appearing at the 12th Australian Healthcare Week Conference in Sydney.
The largest healthcare gathering in the southern hemisphere, AHW 2023 comprises of six strands – one of which is Technology Innovation in Aged Care.
When considering new technology, Mr Pettman said providers should think of the long game “to get the benefits for tomorrow.”
Referencing BaptistCare NSW & ACT’s merger announced this week, Mr Pettman also touched on the importance of standardising systems. “You want to move to standardisation as soon as possible. It’s not going to be viable to have lots of different systems out there,” he said.
Acquisitions, said Andrew Longhurst – general manager information technology at Anglicare Sydney, which announced in December it would acquire most of Presbyterian Aged Care NSW & ACT’s operations – were opportunities to reassess the systems a provider has in place. “It’s an opportunity to identify good practice in the market.”
A clear vision – “and the leadership to articulate that vision” – is vital when introducing technological solutions to an organisation, he added.
As for experimenting with innovation, Mr Longhurst said: “Give yourself space to fail. It’s an opportunity to grow and think about what we do differently next time.”
Also on the panel, Johny Agotnes – chief information officer at Bolton Clarke. Mr Agnotes agreed that providers must accept failure as it was part of the learning process. “Make small bets, lots of them,” he said. “And learn.”
Brett Reedman – chief information officer at Catholic Healthcare said, when it comes to incorporating new technology, he operates by a three-word mantra: “Standardise, simplify, smarter.”
Explaining the mantra, Mr Reedman said it referred to standardising technology infrastructure, simplifying applications and adopting innovative solutions.
The panel concluded with a discussion on security compliance. Pointing to recent cyber breaches such as the one that compromised Medibank, Mr Longhurst said Anglicare Sydney had adopted a cyber strategy and encouraged others to do likewise. “Because it’s not really a question of if, it’s a question of when.”
A two-day event, one of the theme’s up for discussion at tomorrow’s AHW conference is the design and development of aged care homes of the future.
Australian Ageing Agenda is the Official Aged Care Partner of AHW 2023
Main image left to right: chair Roger Burgess, Daniel Pettman, Johny Agnotes, Andrew Longhurst and Brett Reedman
Comment on the story below. Follow Australian Ageing Agenda on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook, sign up to our twice-weekly newsletter and subscribe to our premium content or AAA magazine for the complete aged care picture.
