Talking HealthTech

Conversations with clinicians, vendors, policy makers and decision makers to promote innovation and collaboration for better healthcare enabled by technology.

Learn about digital health, medical devices, medtech, biotech, health informatics, life sciences, aged care, disability, commercialisation, startups and so much more.

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#637
Wednesday · 36 min· Video
637 - The Future of Traceability in CSSD: RFID, Compliance, and Global Practices
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Violeta Addamo, founder and managing director at WHITECAT, and David Bellamy, vice president for the World Federation of Hospital Sterilisation Services and president of the New South Wales Sterilisation Research and Advisory Council of Australia. Violeta shares how her path into healthtech began in environmental science before moving through dental and surgical sales, eventually leading to the founding of WHITECAT six years ago, built on CareTag, a Danish RFID system for surgical instrument management. David brings his standing as a recognised industry leader in sterilisation through his role representing the WFHSS on the global stage. The conversation explores the challenges and advancements in surgical instrument traceability, the implementation of RFID technology in sterilisation departments, compliance with unique device identification (UDI) requirements, and global practices in healthtech for instrument management The episode also covers how Central Sterile Services Departments (CSSD) manage the cleaning, sterilisation, and tracking of surgical instruments, and the risks that arise when these processes rely on manual systems such as paper logs and barcode scanning. It also looks at how RFID and real-time location systems are being trialled to improve visibility across the instrument lifecycle, reduce search times, and support faster responses to sterility breaches or recalls. Further topics include the regulatory landscape shaping instrument management in Australia and abroad, including requirements set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, as well as comparisons with practices in Europe and emerging trials across Asia. The discussion closes with a look at what these advancements mean for the future of surgical safety and hospital efficiency. Key Takeaways 🛠 The importance of surgical instrument traceability for both patient safety and operational efficiency in healthcare settings 📡 The evolution and adoption of RFID technology for real-time tracking of surgical instruments, including the limitations of traditional data matrix approaches 📝 The introduction of UDI requirements in Australia and the implications for compliance and traceability in sterilisation processes 🔄 How digitisation and technology reduce manual effort, errors, and the time required to handle equipment recalls 🌏 A comparison of global approaches to sterilisation and traceability, highlighting differences in technology adoption between Australia, Europe, and the USA Timestamps 00:00 - Introductions and guest backgrounds 02:06 - Real-time location tracking and RFID in surgical instruments 05:03 - Traceability challenges and compliance requirements 09:01 - RFID vs data matrix for instrument-level tracking 10:47 - UDI compliance and future standards 15:40 - Manual vs digital recall management 22:51 - Global perspectives and best practices Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Join THT+ Solo to connect with other people working in or moving into digital health through members-only events, deeper content and the Talking HealthTech community hub: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.
#636
Monday · 32 min· Video
636 - From Trial to Mainstream: Remote Patient Monitoring's Rise in Australian Healthcare
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Craig Simmonds, CEO & Founder of Propell, about the growth and acceptance of remote patient monitoring devices in Australian healthcare. Together, they cover the mainstreaming of virtual care, future directions for device technology, and the practical challenges and opportunities in rolling out devices like iHealth across hospital and home care. They discuss what's driving hospitals to move beyond pilot programmes and treat remote monitoring as a core part of everyday care, including how NSW Health's rollout of iHealth devices is shaping the way patients with chronic disease or post-acute needs are supported at home. The conversation also covers the shift from episodic, patient-initiated checks toward continuous physiological monitoring, along with the importance of integrating patient data with hospital systems for real-time clinical intervention. It also looks at how services are working to close the digital divide by providing patients with fully set-up devices and tablets. Craig shares insights from his experience navigating TGA approval, funding models across different states, and what it takes to keep programmes focused on genuine clinical outcomes rather than technology for its own sake. Key Takeaways 🩺 NSW Health's large-scale adoption of iHealth devices is a major shift towards mainstream remote patient monitoring in hospital-in-the-home programs 💡 Clinical accuracy and integration with hospital systems are critical for monitoring devices, distinguishing them from general consumer wearables 📱 Simplicity, usability, and clinical reliability are fundamental criteria when selecting and deploying health monitoring devices 🔋 New devices such as Vital Patch are enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of key vitals like ECG and respiration rate 🌏 The adoption of virtual care and remote monitoring is accelerating nationwide, not just in rural/remote locations but also in metropolitan settings Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Craig Simmonds and Propell 05:45 - NSW Health iHealth device rollout 07:37 - Core measurements: vital signs at home 10:43 - Data integration and real-time hospital alerts 13:30 - Funding and logistics for device programs 16:27 - Usability and support for patients 21:08 - Future: continuous devices and the Vital Patch Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Join THT+ Solo to connect with other people working in or moving into digital health through members-only events, deeper content and the Talking HealthTech community hub: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.
#635
September 16 · 32 min· Video
635 - Vital Signs Monitoring Reimagined: Predictive, Not Detective, and Ahead of the Alarm
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Andy Hurt, Head of Strategic Accounts at Ericom, and Sam Yang, Co-founder and CEO at Xandar Kardian. The discussion focuses on contactless, continuous vital signs monitoring using impulse ultra-wideband radar technology, exploring how this approach differs from traditional wearables, cameras, and threshold-based alarm systems. The conversation covers practical applications in health and aged care, palliative care, mental health, and correctional settings, along with regulatory considerations such as FDA and TGA clearance. Andy and Sam discuss data-driven care models, the role of individualised patient baselines, and how longitudinal data can reveal deterioration days before it becomes clinically apparent. They also touch on the cost and system-wide benefits of early detection, the importance of integrating this technology into existing clinical workflows, and its emerging potential in low-resource and global health settings. Throughout, the episode highlights the impact of predictive baseline data on prioritising clinical resources and improving patient outcomes. Key Takeaways 🔎 Contactless radar-based monitoring addresses privacy and compliance issues found with cameras and wearables 🩺 Continuous monitoring provides longitudinal health data to inform clinical workflows and early intervention 💡 The technology assists rather than replaces clinicians, supporting prioritisation and proactive care 🌏 Regulatory approvals in multiple countries, including FDA (US) and TGA (Australia), underpin adoption 🚑 Early detection reduces hospital admissions, ambulance use, and overall costs, with use cases in remote and resource-limited environments Timestamps 02:31 - Radar-based, contactless health monitoring explained 07:02 - Clinical and aged care use cases 11:06 - Early intervention and POBC method 13:00 - Regulatory pathways and global expansion 14:50 - Impact on healthcare system and cost savings 18:51 - Handling alarm fatigue and baseline deviations 22:34 - Integration into health facility workflows 25:15 - Broader global and low-resource applications Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes. And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Join THT+ Solo to connect with other people working in or moving into digital health through members-only events, deeper content and the Talking HealthTech community hub: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.
#634
September 14 · 35 min· Video
634 - Smart Summaries and Real-World Evidence: How HEALWELL AI is Supporting Clinicians
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Aaron Leibtag, Co Founder of Pentavere, now part of HEALWELL AI (TSX: AIDX), where he is Global Health Systems Leader. The conversation covers Aaron Leibtag's transition from finance to healthtech, the founding story of Pentavere, a HEALWELL AI company, how AI technology is being leveraged to improve healthcare data utilisation, the practical impact of these solutions in real health settings, and what partnerships with organisations like Orion Health mean for the future of health systems in Australia and beyond. Aaron explains why roughly 80% of existing health data sits unused, buried in free-text notes, referral letters and PDFs that analytics and decision-support tools rarely reach. He walks through how Pentavere's DARWEN™ AI engine works, using natural language processing to read and interpret that material and build summaries that reflect the judgement of clinical experts, with full source document verification so clinicians can trust what they are seeing. The discussion also looks at the SMARTSummary powered by DARWEN™ AI pilot delivered with Canada Health Infoway and integrated directly into the EMR, alongside close to eighty real-world evidence studies run across Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. From there, the conversation turns to the ethics, privacy and governance questions that come with deploying AI in clinical settings. Peter and Aaron close on what Australia's existing health information exchanges make possible, why medical error and missed screenings remain such costly problems, and why solving the basics matters more than chasing the next breakthrough. Key Takeaways 🩺 The majority of documented healthcare data remains unused, with AI technology now helping to extract and utilise this information for patient benefit 🌏 Implementation of AI-driven real-world evidence studies is already underway in countries including Canada, the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia ⏱️ AI tools that summarise patient data significantly reduce clinician administrative load and improve accuracy in patient care decisions 🔒 Ethical, secure, and compliant deployment of AI in healthcare is a global priority, with regions like Europe leading on policy frameworks 🤝 Partnerships with organisations like Orion Health are helping accelerate access, interoperability, and clinical utility of healthcare data in Australia and globally Timestamps 00:01 — Introduction & guest background 03:01 — Why healthcare data is underutilised 05:10 — Real-world AI implementations 07:57 — Immediate and long-term impact of solutions 15:06 — Clinician-level AI tools 21:10 — Orion Health’s role in the Australian context Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Join THT+ Solo to connect with other people working in or moving into digital health through members-only events, deeper content and the Talking HealthTech community hub: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.
#633
September 9 · 35 min· Video
633 - Smarter Rosters: How HosPortal Is Using AI to Ease Clinical Scheduling Complexity
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Chris Jones, Founder and Clinical Director at HosPortal, about the evolution of clinical rostering in Australian healthcare, the integration of AI in medical workforce management, and shifts in work-life balance for healthcare practitioners. The discussion covers how HosPortal is addressing the complex challenges of scheduling across diverse medical craft groups, the impact of digital transformation on hospital operations, and the growing importance of customisable solutions and ongoing user support. HosPortal has been rebuilt from a clean slate and has roughly doubled in capability, and the software now runs across every state in Australia, covering anaesthesia, emergency departments, radiology, junior medical doctors and radiographers. Chris explains why the current build focus is junior doctor term placement, a problem most hospitals are still solving with survey forms and spreadsheets, and how the team designs for complexity they have not been told about yet. The conversation also gets into where AI genuinely earns its place inside clinical software. Chris describes agents that turn a plain-language description of a rostering rule into a working rule, and agents that do the task rather than point users at a help file. He shares his view that diagnostic radiology will be fully replaced by AI within five years, along with the ten-times-better test he applies to it, and paints a picture of an emergency department avatar that is endlessly patient and never tired. Underneath all of it sits a point about people. Chris argues that doctors working fewer hours with better supervision is a net good for clinicians and patients alike, and that the real cost of fatigue is doctors who quietly stop caring. Key Takeaways 🩺 The complexity of clinical rostering is growing, driven by specialist requirements, junior doctor preferences, and a broader focus on work-life balance. 💻 A major rebuild of Hosportal's platform has enabled greater customisation, scalability, and more sophisticated automation across Australian hospitals. 🤖 AI is playing an increasing role in both automating roster construction and making the system easier for end-users to interact with, including the use of natural language agents. 🧠 There has been a cultural shift in healthcare, with greater attention on clinician mental health and safer working hours, positively impacting staff and patient safety. 🌏 The future roadmap for Hosportal includes continued AI integration, product refinement, and expansion beyond Australia into new international markets. Timestamps 00:00 - Hosportal introduction & background 02:27 - Rostering problems & user experience 04:13 - Shifting work-life balance for doctors 07:17 - Customisation and customer-driven solutions 11:30 - AI features & natural language tools 13:44 - AI's role in the future of healthcare 31:04 - Roadmap and international expansion Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Join THT+ Solo to connect with other people working in or moving into digital health through members-only events, deeper content and the Talking HealthTech community hub: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.
#632
August 31 · 28 min· Video
632 - Connected Care Beyond the Postcode: Breaking Down Australia's Digital Health Silos
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Peter O'Halloran from the Australian Digital Health Agency, and Farhoud Salimi and Dr Monica Trujillo from Telstra Health, about the current state and future of interoperability in Australian healthcare. The discussion covers why seamless data sharing is crucial, how policy, technology, and consumer expectations are driving change, and the evolving roles of national infrastructure like My Health Record. The group unpacks how the shift from paper to digital created a new problem, with information locked inside systems built for a single hospital, practice or specialty. They talk through the real cost of that fragmentation, from repeated tests and retold medical histories to the harm that occurs when clinicians do not have what they need at the point of care. The episode closes on what success looks like by 2030, including a future where interoperability is no longer a talking point, data simply arrives inside the workflow, and connected care reaches rural and regional Australia as reliably as it does the capital cities. Key Takeaways 💡 The priority now is not convincing stakeholders of the need for interoperability but implementing practical solutions for data sharing in healthcare 💡 Modernising "classic" or legacy systems is a major challenge, but new platforms are being built with interoperability and patient-centricity at their core 💡 Consumer expectations are rapidly evolving, with an increasing demand for immediate access to health information and digital-enabled care 💡 My Health Record has shifted from being a basic repository to becoming central infrastructure, supporting real-time, secure, and routine data sharing 💡 Incorrect or incomplete health data, particularly when combined with AI, can lead to safety risks, reinforcing the need for better standards and data quality Timestamps 00:00: Introduction & framing the interoperability challenge 01:09: Evolution and urgency for healthcare data sharing 03:07: Patient impact and consumer stories 08:47: Practical use cases and technology improvements 12:48: Urgency, burning platforms, and risks of inaction 19:02: The role and future of My Health Record 22:52: Interoperability at Telstra Health and industry collaboration Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Join THT+ Solo to connect with other people working in or moving into digital health through members-only events, deeper content and the Talking HealthTech community hub: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.
#631
August 26 · 25 min· Video
631 - AI, Workforce Enablement, and Women in Leadership: Highlights from HIC2026
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Rae Donovan, Chief Clinical Information Officer at e-Health Queensland, Professor Peter Steel, Associate Dean of Digital Health and Informatics at the University of Melbourne and Chief Transformation Officer at Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Anita Ghose, Founder and CEO of inventiveX, at HIC 2026, hosted by the Australasian Institute of Digital Health. Recorded on the sidelines of the conference, the conversation brings together perspectives from frontline clinical practice, academic leadership, and industry innovation, offering a well-rounded look at where Australia's digital health sector is heading. The discussion covers digital health innovation, advancing clinical AI in Australia, workforce enablement, women in digital leadership, and the ongoing transformation of healthcare through technology-driven collaboration. The conversation also touches on the gap between technical ambition and everyday clinical reality, including how outdated hospital systems and clunky electronic medical records continue to shape the day-to-day experience of clinicians. Together, the guests unpack what it takes to modernise ageing hospital systems, build local expertise in clinical AI, and create lasting pathways for women in digital health careers, drawing on real experience from the clinic floor, the university, and the boardroom. Key Takeaways 💡 Workforce enablement in digital health involves not just technical training, but supporting ongoing learning, retention, and the evolution of clinical workflows with new technologies. 💡 Clinical AI development in Australia needs hubs or ecosystems of excellence to concentrate capabilities and deliver region-wide benefits, rather than isolated innovation. 💡 Women remain underrepresented in tech roles, and programs focused on digital health leadership can bridge gaps through mentoring, networking, and targeted initiatives. 💡 Technology in healthcare must evolve beyond digitising paper processes to provide more intuitive, AI-enabled, and context-aware support for clinicians. 💡 Networks, global connections, and sponsorship are critical for developing future leadership and sustaining momentum in digital health transformation. Timestamps 00:00 - Peter Birch | Episode introduction and HIC overview 00:33 - Dr. Rae Donovan | Workforce enablement & networking 07:58 - Professor Peter Steel | Clinical AI innovation & hubs 13:42 - Anita Ghose | Women in Digital Health Leadership Program 19:54 - Anita Ghose | Mentoring and legacy networks Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
August 18 · 1 min· Video
Welcome to Talking HealthTech: Connecting Doers and Builders in Healthcare Technology
Talking HealthTech (THT) is Australia's leading media company for health tech conversations, connecting decision-makers, innovators and doers across the healthcare industry. Hosted by Peter Birch, our weekly podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in healthcare innovation from around the world. Alongside the show, we run a newsletter, active social channels and a comprehensive glossary of digital health terms, so you've got one place to stay across the industry. *THT+ Community* Our safe space for the doers and builders in health tech to connect, learn and grow. Members get access to our community platform, live online meetups, exclusive content, partner discounts and other member-only benefits. Join at talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus *THT Productions* Our production arm helps healthcare organisations tell stories that spark real change, through customer testimonials, product showcases, workflow explainers and documentaries. *Company Partnerships* Want to get your organisation in front of the health tech community? Our partnership tiers include a feature podcast episode, directory listing, community seats and more. See what's included: talkinghealthtech.com/partners *About Pete* Peter Birch has spent his career in healthcare operations, from running GP clinics and global medical assistance centres to being first hire at multiple health tech startups. He now sits on the boards of industry groups and health tech companies, bringing that experience into every conversation on the show. Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome to Talking HealthTech - podcast, newsletter, social and glossary 0:22 THT+ Community: our space for health tech doers and builders 0:41 THT Productions: video storytelling for healthcare 1:03 About Pete: from GP clinics to health tech startups 1:32 Real conversations that improve patient outcomes 1:47 Subscribe, follow and join the newsletter 🔗 Website: talkinghealthtech.com 🔗 Media kit: talkinghealthtech.com/mediakit 🔗 Join THT+ Community: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus 🔗 Partner with us: talkinghealthtech.com/partners #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcarePodcast #HealthTechAustralia
#630
August 12 · 1 hr· Video
630 - Beyond Dashboards: How Command Centres Enable Real-Time Hospital Operations
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Manuel Pérez Vallina, former CIO in the Spanish health system, Femi Ladega, Group Chief Digital Officer at Dedalus, and Dr Vinod Seetharaman, Chief Medical Officer for Dedalus in Australia and New Zealand. The discussion covers the evolution of hospital command centres, the shift from using dashboards for retrospective data towards enabling proactive, real-time operational decisions, and how these changes impact clinical workflows and patient outcomes across different health systems. Recorded live, the conversation draws on experience building one of Spain's first hospital command centres alongside lessons from health systems in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The panel unpacks why familiar pressures such as underused operating theatres, growing waiting lists and bed shortages appear so consistently across borders, and what separates a command centre from a wall of screens. Along the way, they examine the four principles that determine whether the model delivers real change, the cultural and governance work that sits behind the technology, the role artificial intelligence can play in filtering meaningful signals, and the practical first steps for organisations weighing up where to begin. Key Takeaways 🚑 Hospital command centres enable real-time, actionable insights beyond traditional dashboards, improving operational efficiency and patient care. 🛠️ Implementing command centre solutions requires aligning technology, organisational culture, and governance to drive sustained change. 📊 Demonstrating value and securing investment means clearly defining the use case, limiting initial project scope, and engaging stakeholders early. ⚡ Effective change management and clinician engagement are crucial for successful adoption and maximising impact. 🌐 Challenges and solutions discussed are common globally, but must be tailored to local healthcare system maturity and needs. Timestamps 00:00 - Episode introduction & topic overview 03:42 - Manuel Pérez Vallina on Spain’s command centre journey 05:55 - Femi Ladega: Global perspectives and data orchestration 08:29 - Dr Vinod Seetharaman on capacity management challenges 10:26 - Command centres vs. dashboards 19:02 - Clinical benefits and flow management 22:13 - Stakeholder engagement and return on investment 32:07 - Real-world impacts and cascading benefits 39:48 - Implementation challenges and change management 48:59 - Integrating AI, primary care, and data governance 53:45 - Final advice for hospital leaders Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#629
August 5 · 25 min· Video
629 - RingCentral: Cloud Migration, AI and the Future of Voice Communications in Australia
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Steve Saunders, Healthcare Principle at RingCentral, about what is really at stake for Australian healthcare organisations still running on legacy phone systems and why the move to cloud-based communications is becoming increasingly urgent. They cover the risks of relying on ageing PABX infrastructure, the barriers that slow down migration decisions and how a modular, evolutionary approach to modernisation can reduce risk and build confidence across an organisation. The conversation also gets into the role of AI and automation in transforming how healthcare manages calls, appointments and patient interactions, as well as the critical importance of data sovereignty, privacy and security when moving to cloud-based platforms. Steve shares why voice remains the most important communication channel in healthcare, why general-purpose tools are not built for clinical environments, and what healthcare leaders should look for when choosing a long-term technology partner rather than a one-off supplier. For more information check out RingCentral at www.talkinghealthtech.com/ringcentral Have a question about this episode? Reach out directly to Steve: Steve Saunders Healthcare Principle | RingCentral 📞 +61-2-9157-6831 ✉️ Steve.saunders@ringcentral.com Key Takeaways 📞 Voice communication remains the number one application in healthcare, with unique requirements compared to other sectors. ☁️ Healthcare is at a crossroads, moving away from legacy on-premise PABX phone systems towards resilient, cloud-based communications platforms. 🤖 AI tools are being used for pre-interaction triage, live transcription, translation, and post-call analytics to improve efficiency and patient experience. 🛡 Data sovereignty and security are top priorities, with strict compliance with Australian regulations and onshore data processing for AI. 🔄 Major barriers for adoption are fear of change and complacency, not just competition from other vendors. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction & guest background 00:37 - Why voice is critical in healthcare 03:41 - Unique challenges for healthcare phone systems 07:31 - Transitioning from legacy to cloud 11:25 - AI & efficiency in communications 16:25 - Data sovereignty & security 18:39 - Industry landscape & barriers to change 22:09 - Advice for healthcare providers Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#628
July 29 · 31 min· Video
628 - Smart Health Asia Insights: Technology, Collaboration, and Healthcare's Future in Asia
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Madhu Sasidhar, CEO and President of Apollo Hospitals, Luciano Bristia, Asia Pacific Business Lead at InterSystems, and Kym Chua, Executive Director of Messe Berlin Asia Pacific. The discussion covers healthcare system challenges, digital transformation, AI adoption, workforce shortages, regional collaboration, and what it takes to drive innovation across Asia-Pacific health sectors. The conversation explores how AI is easing pressure on clinicians, from assisting radiologists with scans to helping nurses pull up patient information faster. It also touches on the urban and rural divide in access to care, Indonesia's push for a unified national health record, the importance of adapting solutions to local markets rather than adopting them outright, and how sustainability is shaping infrastructure decisions across the region. This episode was recorded during Smart Health Asia in Singapore, an event that brought together over 3,000 participants from 18 countries. It features interviews and observations captured during the event, highlighting perspectives from senior leaders, technology providers, and event organisers. Key Takeaways 🩺 Access to healthcare and technology is a significant challenge in India and Southeast Asia, with urban-rural divides and workforce shortages affecting service delivery. 🤖 AI and digital technologies are being leveraged for efficiency gains, assisting with diagnostics (radiology, stroke, colonoscopy) and reducing clinician workload. 🌏 Regional health challenges and solutions differ greatly; mature markets like Australia and Japan contrast with fast-growing, young populations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. 💡 Collaboration across healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology vendors is seen as essential for scalable, effective innovation. 🔥 Initiatives like Indonesia's "Satu Sehat" (One Health) aim to create nationwide health records, especially targeting preventive care as a strategy for future public health management. Timestamps 00:00 - Event Introduction: Smart Health Asia 00:48 - Madhu Sasidhar, CEO Apollo Hospitals 08:23 - Luciano Bristia, InterSystems, Asia Pacific 23:02 - Kym Chua, Event Organiser and Executive Director, Messe Berlin Asia Pacific Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#627
July 27 · 34 min· Video
627 - The Future of Biopharma: AI, Automation, and Clinical Trial Breakthroughs at BIO2026
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Jayden Rogers (CEO, Linear Clinical Research), Dr Stacie Calad-Thomson (Business Development Lead, Nvidia for Pharma Labs and Manufacturing), Arjun Bhat (Co-Founder, Clinrol), and Tran Le (General Manager, Hippocratic AI). The conversations cover the changing landscape of clinical trials and drug discovery, the growing role of AI in patient recruitment and drug development, and innovations in technology and operational efficiency in life sciences. The discussion covers why Australia has become an attractive destination for global clinical trials, from its regulatory environment and world-class clinicians through to the integrated networks that help international sponsors find the right partners. It also looks at the practical realities of running a trial site, where regulatory approvals, staffing, patient engagement, and sensitive data all need to be managed at once, and how purpose-built platforms are taking on the repetitive work so research teams can focus on patient care. This episode was recorded during the BIO International Convention in San Diego, featuring conversations with scientists, founders, investors, and healthcare decision-makers addressing challenges and opportunities across the biotech sector. Key Takeaways 🧬 AI and automation are transforming clinical trial recruitment, streamlining patient matching, eligibility screening, and follow-up tasks 🚀 Australia’s reputation for clinical trials continues to grow, supported by a strong regulatory environment and quality healthcare ecosystem 💡 Open source tools and AI models are making computational drug discovery more accessible for non-specialists in science and medicine 🧑‍⚕️ Technology advancements allow clinicians and trial sites to focus more on patient care by reducing manual and repetitive efforts 🔗 Collaboration across pharma, biotechs, technology providers, and regulators is essential to tackle operational bottlenecks and accelerate drug development Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:07 - Jayden Rogers, CEO, Linear Clinical Research 08:25 - Dr Stacie Calad-Thomson, Business Development, NVIDIA 17:55 - Arjun Bhat, Co-Founder, Clinrol 26:52 - Tran Le, General Manager of Life Sciences, Hippocratic AI Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#626
July 22 · 13 min· Video
626 - Turning Trends Into Action: Oura Ring 4 and Its Place in Healthcare
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Robyn Birch about their experiences using the Oura Ring 4, exploring how this wearable device fits into the broader clinical ecosystem. The conversation focuses on the practicalities and implications of using wearables for health monitoring, such as bringing data into clinical consultations, comparing its ongoing data with clinical-grade tools, and considering the everyday healthcare impact for consumers and clinicians. After six months of daily wear, Peter and Robyn share what the ring got right, where it fell short, and the moments the data prompted real action, including a GP visit that led to a formal sleep study. They also discuss the scepticism patients can face when bringing consumer device data to their doctor, the role of trends and baselines over exact numbers, and what wearables are revealing about areas like sleep, recovery and women's health. Key Takeaways 🟢 Wearables like the Oura Ring are increasingly used to support meaningful conversations with healthcare professionals 🟢 Data trends from wearables are more useful than one-off readings for both consumers and clinicians 🟢 Ongoing wearable monitoring complements, but does not replace, clinical grade diagnostic tools like sleep studies 🟢 Presenting continuous wearable health data can help drive further medical investigation when necessary 🟢 Wearable data is becoming more accepted by clinicians, helping patients become proactive participants in their health Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction & Oura Ring overview 02:27 - Wearables in clinical conversations 04:05 - Data trends vs. one-off readings 05:07 - Wearable data leading to clinical action 09:35 - Clinical sleep study vs. wearable metrics Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#625
July 20 · 20 min· Video
625 - Breaking Silos at DHF26: Telstra Health's Corus™ Modernises Patient & Clinician Experience
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Monica Trujillo, Chief Health and Risk Officer, and Farhoud Salimi, Chief Technology Officer, both from Telstra Health. The discussion covers the ongoing fragmentation of Australia's healthcare system, the challenge of integrating diverse legacy systems and the announcement of Telstra Health's new platform, Corus™, a unified care intelligence ecosystem built in partnership with Snowflake, Smile Digital Health and Salesforce. Peter, Monica and Farhoud explore how modern cloud architecture, interoperability standards, cybersecurity and AI are being brought together to support seamless healthcare delivery, from the data spine that unifies patient records through to curated AI agents designed to ease clinical workflows. They also unpack the shift in thinking from connected care to care connected, keeping the moment of care at the centre with the technology built around it. The episode was recorded live at the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne, part of a series of episodes captured at the event, where more than 8,000 health leaders, clinicians and innovators gathered to explore what's next for the sector, and brings together perspectives from both technology and clinical leadership on what meaningful digital change in health really takes. Key Takeaways 🩺 Healthcare in Australia is made up of multiple independent, legacy systems, rather than a single integrated system 🕸️ Integration challenges stem from varied data standards, terminology, and the need for high data reliability 🌐 The new Corus™ platform combines modern interoperability standards (FHIR), a robust data spine, and partnerships with technology providers like Snowflake, Smile Digital Health, and Salesforce 🔒 Cybersecurity and clinical governance are crucial in developing safe, secure, and trusted digital health solutions 👩‍⚕️ Corus™ aims to empower both patients and clinicians by enabling more efficient workflows, seamless data access, and self-management, supporting a shift toward preventative and proactive healthcare Timestamps 00:00 — Episode introduction and guest intros 01:48 — Why healthcare remains fragmented 03:47 — Technology challenges integrating systems 04:15 — Modernisation and standards aligning 05:12 — Corus™ platform announcement 07:09 — What Corus™ enables and its architecture 10:00 — The "data spine" explained 11:06 — AI integration and customisation 13:17 — Managing cybersecurity and clinical governance 15:04 — What success looks like for Corus™ Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#624
July 15 · 19 min· Video
624 - Telehealth for Regional Australia: Updoc's Mission to Bridge Healthcare Gaps at DHF26
In this episode of Talking HealthTech Peter Birch speaks with Dylan Coyne, co-founder at Updoc, about the origins and growth of the Updoc platform, the challenges and opportunities of providing accessible healthcare across Australia, and the balance between technology, trust, and scalability in digital health. The conversation traces back to a personal injury that exposed the inefficiencies of the traditional healthcare system, sparking the idea for a platform built around convenience and access. The episode explores how Updoc is addressing gaps in rural and regional healthcare access, fostering a supportive culture for both patients and clinicians, and participating in the development of national telehealth standards. Recorded live at the Updoc booth during DHF26, The Digital Health Festival, the conversation highlights the ongoing innovations and real-world community engagement driving the company's mission. Key Takeaways 🩺 Updoc aims to be a digital "front door" to healthcare, offering on-demand consultations without the need for traditional appointments or waiting rooms. 🌏 Rural and regional Australians represent nearly 40% of Updoc’s consultations, reflecting critical healthcare access barriers outside metropolitan areas. 🔒 Trust and data security are central to Updoc's operations, safeguarding both patient and doctor information while fostering confidence in telehealth solutions. 💡 Bootstrapping the company drove a focus on sustainability, leading to scalable offerings like unlimited telehealth subscriptions. 📜 Updoc played an active role in developing national telehealth standards, advocating for shared quality, credentialing, and feedback systems across the industry. Timestamps 00:00 - Updoc's origin story 02:07 - Making healthcare accessible and convenient 04:22 - Impact and scale—reaching over a million Australians 05:24 - Building trust with patients and clinicians 08:20 - Serving rural and regional communities 09:09 - Community Access Programme and in-person outreach 12:01 - Attracting and supporting clinicians through flexibility 15:06 - National telehealth standards initiative 16:36 - Updoc's future and role in the healthcare ecosystem Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#623
July 13 · 43 min· Video
623 - Digitising Healthcare at Scale: Safe AI, Smarter Workflows and the Future of Care
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dalibor Frtunik, CEO of Sorsix, about how their platform Pinga® is building the backbone for the future of digital healthcare. The conversation covers Sorsix's origins in North Macedonia, where the company cut its teeth integrating an entire national health system from the ground up, through to the concept of a health operating system and what that means in practice for clinicians, administrators, and patients alike. Frtunik unpacks how AI-powered digital pathways are being deployed safely within clinical workflows, why the balance between customisation and standardisation matters more than ever, and how Sorsix approaches compliance and governance using frameworks like ISO 42001. The episode also explores the growing role of data in preventative care, the limitations of old-style integration, and what the next decade of digital health transformation will demand from platforms and health systems alike. Key Takeaways 💡 Sorsix’s platform Pinga® acts as a health operating system, integrating different healthcare workflows from individual clinics to entire countries ⚙️ Pinga® supports both clinical and administrative workflows, including triage, long-term care management, screening programs, and preventative pathways 🤖 AI is already in practical use within Pinga®, supporting operational efficiency and improved clinical outcomes, but safety and compliance remain priorities 🔒 ISO 42001 certification for AI is a critical part of building trust and governance in healthcare platforms 🌏 Sorsix’s experience shows that future health systems will need interoperable, flexible, AI-enabled technology that adapts to local workflows and supports ongoing digital transformation Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Sorsix and Pinga® 05:22 - Concept of a health operating system 07:04 - Solving healthcare interoperability and scheduling 13:02 - Balancing customisation with compliance 17:04 - Building clinical and administrative digital pathways 31:36 - Certification, ISO 42001, and AI safety 37:11 - Looking to the future of interoperable, patient-centred systems Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#622
July 8 · 20 min· Video
622 - From Legacy Systems to AI-Driven Healthcare: Tackling Cybersecurity and Innovation at DHF26
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Cameron McBride, Divisional Director of Digital Technology Services at Western Health, Chris Fisher, Head of Solution Engineering for Asia Pacific and Japan at Island, and Jeroen Nguyen, Solutions Architect from Endpoint Focus to explore what it really takes to modernise digital workspaces in healthcare. The conversation moves through the everyday challenges of implementing secure and efficient technology in hospitals, the flow-on impact on clinician workflows, the cybersecurity considerations that come with managing sensitive patient data, and the complexities of compliance in a global context. The discussion also looks ahead to the future of AI integration at the point of care and what it will take for emerging technologies to earn the trust of clinicians and patients alike. Recorded live at DHF26, the Digital Health Festival held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, this episode features a multi-guest panel discussion captured in front of a live audience at one of Australia's premier health innovation gatherings. Drawing on real-world examples from Western Health and technology partners active in the Australian healthcare sector, the panel offers a grounded look at how digital transformation is unfolding on the ground, not just in theory. Key Takeaways 🖥️ Legacy applications and insecure browsers create significant risks and challenges, addressing them simplifies IT service delivery and enhances security 🔒 Moving security controls into the browser provides more effective protection and flexibility compared to traditional network-based layers ⚡ Improving clinician access to critical systems, such as electronic medical records, directly impacts patient care by reducing wait times 📊 Enhanced analytics and visibility tools enable IT teams to better monitor user behaviour and application performance 🤖 Integrating AI-driven workflows and secure technology environments is paving the way for future innovations in healthcare delivery Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and guest backgrounds 03:04 - Challenges with legacy apps 04:08 - Island's place in security landscape 07:02 - Security at the browser level 09:01 - Clinician workflow improvements 11:36 - IT analytics and reporting benefits 12:57 - Implementing technology changes in healthcare 17:27 - Future plans and AI integration Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#621
July 6 · 41 min· Video
621 - From Innovation to Adoption: Solving the Digital Health Distribution Problem at Scale
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Bettina McMahon, CEO of Healthdirect, clinical governance and digital health safety expert Chris Boyd Skinner, and Leon Young, founder of Cogniss and Ripple Scale, about the ongoing challenges and potential solutions in scaling the adoption of digital health tools beyond pilots and siloed deployments. The conversation explores why so many effective tools in women's health, mental health, children's health, and long-term care struggle to reach the people who need them most. The group discusses portfolio-based adoption models, the limitations of one-app-at-a-time procurement, and the growing case for a digital health publisher model that can validate, distribute, and maintain tools at scale. The episode also covers clinical trust and regulatory frameworks, the risks of shadow IT, the barriers facing direct-to-consumer digital health, and how innovations such as Ripple Scale are working to address the gaps in app distribution and uptake. Together, the guests make a compelling case for why collaboration, shared infrastructure, and smarter funding models are the next step forward for digital health. Key Takeaways 🌐 Many digital health tools struggle to scale beyond pilots due to barriers in adoption by health providers. 🤝 Clinicians and researchers are often required to become startup founders to drive adoption, even if their expertise is in care, not business. 🏥 Health systems face challenges in assessing, procuring, and managing hundreds of separate digital health apps. 🔒 Clinical safety, regulation, and building trust are essential for the widespread uptake of digital health technology. 🚀 Portfolio-based models and digital publishers like Ripple Scale offer alternatives to fragmented app distribution, making it easier for providers to offer trusted digital solutions across key health areas. Timestamps 00:00 - Introductions & background 03:21 - Cogniss mission and innovation 04:52 - The need for a digital health publisher 05:28 - Barriers to adoption: system and innovator challenges 12:37 - The perspective of Health Direct and large organisations 17:57 - Consumer vs. provider-facing digital products 19:00 - Clinical safety, trust, and governance 26:30 - "Shadow IT" and its impact 33:52 - Advice for digital health tool creators 36:15 - Next steps for Ripple Scale Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: THT+ Company Partnership Learn more about THT+ Company Partnership options for start-ups, scale-ups and enterprise digital health companies looking for visibility, content, community access and industry connection: talkinghealthtech.com/partners. Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#620
July 1 · 21 min· Video
620 - From Know-What to Know-How: Medcast’s Journey with Medical-Grade AI at DHF26
Find out how Medcast is building trustworthy medical-grade AI in this episode of Talking HealthTech, recorded live at the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne, Australia's premier gathering for health innovation, technology, and policy. Peter Birch sits down with Dr Stephen Barnett, CEO of Medcast, to explore what it genuinely takes to make AI safe, reliable, and fit for purpose in a clinical setting. With a background spanning general practice, research, and digital health innovation, Barnett brings a grounded and practical perspective to one of the most talked-about topics in healthcare right now. Together, they unpack the concept of knowledge translation, the persistent gap between cutting-edge AI and trustworthy clinical tools, and why large language models alone are not enough. The conversation covers retrieval-augmented generation, the risks of AI hallucinations, the importance of curated and validated data sources, and the orchestration layer that sits between a powerful model and a safe medical answer. They also discuss how clinical workflows are changing, the shift in how doctors use digital tools in front of patients, and the emerging conversation around patient-facing AI. Key Takeaways 🧑‍⚕️ Knowledge translation in healthcare relies on getting the right information to the right person at the right time, impacting both clinician learning and patient outcomes. 🤖 Large language models require an orchestration layer and data curation processes to be considered "medical grade" and trustworthy for clinical use. 🔎 Retrieval-augmented generation and other governance measures help address hallucinations and bias in AI-powered healthcare solutions, supporting quality, safety, and auditability. 💡 Medluma, Medcast's AI platform, addresses compliance, standardisation, and onboarding within healthcare organisations, while empowering clinicians with trusted knowledge access. 📱 Patient-clinician trust depends on using validated, professional tools for information sourcing, and future AI integrations may also support patient self-service within set guardrails. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and guest overview 00:44 - Medcast origins and purpose 02:54 - Obsession with AI and knowledge translation 03:49 - Medical safety in language models 06:13 - Techniques for trustworthy AI 10:01 - Adapting to rapid AI changes 13:32 - Knowledge translation across clinical and non-clinical roles 14:49 - Patient trust and professional boundaries 18:22 - Medcast and Medluma future roadmap Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter
#619
June 29 · 14 min· Video
619 - Practical AI in Public Health: Eastern Health at the Microsoft Stand at DHF26
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Suma Shivalingaiah, Chief Information Officer at Eastern Health, about the practical use, governance, and impact of AI and digital technologies in a large Victorian public health service. The conversation covers the AI journey at Eastern Health, from addressing a significant cyber incident that reshaped the organisation's digital strategy to building internal capability, upskilling staff, and deploying AI across both administrative and clinical workflows. Suma shares how Eastern Health approaches AI governance through a dedicated committee that assesses and manages risk across all tools and platforms, why cybersecurity remains the organisation's top priority, and how clinician buy-in is central to any successful implementation. The discussion also touches on real-world pilots including GP referral triage systems, help desk and policy management agents, and Emergency Department wait time predictions, as well as the role of university partnerships in accelerating AI adoption. This episode was recorded live at the Microsoft stand during the Digital Health Festival 2026, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in May 2026, as part of a series of conversations captured across the event. Key Takeaways 🛡️ Governance and cybersecurity are foundational for AI deployment in healthcare, and a dedicated committee is needed to ensure safe use of digital tools ⚙️ Real-world AI success starts with addressing repetitive and administrative tasks for staff and clinicians, using agents like help desk and policy management tools 👨‍⚕️ Clinician and staff buy-in is critical. Adoption depends on early engagement and solving actual pain points 📊 AI in clinical workflow includes initiatives like triaging GP referrals and predicting ED wait times, always as a support tool, not a replacement for clinicians 🎓 Building AI literacy, continuous training, and partnerships with universities are essential for capability uplift and safe technology integration Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction & Episode Setting 00:28 - Overview of Eastern Health 01:35 - Practical AI applications 02:51 - AI agents & support tools 03:57 - Importance of clinical buy-in 05:33 - Governance & cybersecurity foundations 06:30 - AI use case—triaging referrals 08:31 - Justifying AI adoption in public health 10:02 - Automating clinical notes & admin 11:16 - Multi-pronged strategy & advice 12:02 - Lessons for healthcare leaders Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps. Mentioned in this episode: Sign Up to the Free Talking Healthtech Newsletter Sign up to the free Talking HealthTech newsletter for weekly digital health news, events, jobs, partner updates and Pete’s take on what matters across the sector: talkinghealthtech.com/newsletter

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