Quote Of The Year

Timeless Quotes - Sadly The Late Paul Shetler - "Its not Your Health Record it's a Government Record Of Your Health Information"

or

H. L. Mencken - "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong."

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Commentators and Journalists Weigh In On Digital Health And Related Privacy, Safety, Social Media And Security Matters. Lots Of Interesting Perspectives - June 29, 2021.

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This weekly blog is to explore the news around the larger issues around Digital Health, data security, data privacy, AI / ML. technology, social media and related matters.

I will also try to highlight ADHA Propaganda when I come upon it.

Just so we keep count, the latest Notes from the ADHA Board were dated 6 December, 2018 and we have seen none since! Its pretty sad!

Note: Appearance here is not to suggest I see any credibility or value in what follows. I will leave it to the reader to decide what is worthwhile and what is not! The point is to let people know what is being said / published that I have come upon.

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https://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/exploring-moreland/events/whats-on/dental-health-and--my-health-record/

Dental Health and My Health Record

 

Monday, June 28, 2021

Weekly Australian Health IT Links – 28 June, 2021.

Here are a few I have come across the last week or so. Note: Each link is followed by a title and a few paragraphs. For the full article click on the link above title of the article. Note also that full access to some links may require site registration or subscription payment.

General Comment

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Seems State Budget Season has brought a little financial cheer to the Digital Health Sector.

Otherwise not much big news this week – but a good deal of private sector action announced.

We also note the US does not understand UFOs. What news!

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https://idm.net.au/article/0013489-digital-health-agency-flies-edrms-cloud

Digital Health Agency flies into EDRMS Cloud

Friday, June 25, 2021 - 12:36

The Australian Digital Health Agency, the government agency in charge of the country’s $A2 billion My Health Record system, has adopted iCognition’s Electronic Document and Records Management as-a-service cloud solution, EDRMSaaS.

iCognition won an open tender to deliver the SaaS solution in a contract worth over $A500K.

EDRMSaaS.Cloud offers a SaaS deployment of Micro Focus Content Manager, including iCognition’s in-house developed solutions for collaborative workspaces, publishing, line-of-business application connectors, data migration tools and specific automated functions.

The Australian Digital Health Agency was established in 2016 taking over operation of the former Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR).

It is a statutory authority jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the states and territories. The Agency expects to have more than 500 EDRMSaaS users working from offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra.

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https://medicalrepublic.com.au/health-tech-wins-big-in-nsw-budget/47781

24 June 2021

Health tech wins big in NSW budget

Political The Hill

By Holly Payne

In what it is calling a record investment in health, the NSW Liberal government has committed more than $30 billion to the sector in this week’s budget announcement.

As expected, big chunks of change are heading straight to the pandemic front lines, funding PPE, vaccine distribution and pop-up clinics.

Major health infrastructure projects and rural health, all told, were allocated $4 billion for health capital projects across regional and metro areas.

Digital health was the next biggest winner, with $500 million in funding earmarked for various projects over the next four years, including the Single Digital Patient Record, Real Time Prescription Monitoring and the NSW Telestroke Service.

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https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/new-south-wales-invests-106m-single-emr-system

New South Wales invests $106M in single EMR system

Adam Ang | 23 Jun 2021

The government of New South Wales has set aside a total of AU$30.2 billion ($22.8 billion) in its 2021-2022 budget for NSW Health, the state's ministry of health.

Among budget items under the Health Cluster, an initiative to unify NSW's present EMR solutions is getting $141 million ($106.3 million) "to enhance care coordination, further digitisation, improve patient experience and increase service sustainability."

WHY IT MATTERS

The initiative refers to the Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) system project, which envisions a "single, holistic, statewide view of every patient – and for that information to be readily accessible to anyone involved in the patient’s care", according to Dr Zoran Bolevich, chief information officer of NSW Health.

NSW Health said in December that the SDPR will consolidate the geographically fragmented health record systems in the state, including the Patient Administration System (PAS), the Electronic Medical Record (eMR) and the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), into a unified platform.

The single EMR platform will help clinicians get "better informed", while patients will have a "more seamless" care experience. "It will give patients the confidence that regardless of where they live or which service they attend, their information will be available to their treating clinician in its entirety," the statement read.

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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/sa-budget-sinks-20m-into-cyber-security-to-protect-govt-systems-566363

SA budget sinks $20m into cyber security to protect govt systems

By Justin Hendry on Jun 23, 2021 3:24PM

As the state's core policing system gets another $21m funding shot.

The SA government has set aside more than $20 million in this year’s state budget to help protect its systems from cyber attacks.

Budget documents handed down on Tuesday show an “immediate investment” worth $20.6 million over three years to “enhance [the] cyber security of government systems”.

The funding – which will flow to the Department of Premier and Cabinet – will be used to “improve whole-of-government ICT cyber security systems and processes”.

More than half of the $20.6 million investment will be spent in 2021-22, with just $4.9 million and $4.7 million allocated in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively.

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https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bundaberg/as-telstra-readies-its-bid-for-medical-director-developed-in-bundaberg-speculation-is-swirling-on-the-comparative-value-of-its-sibling-best-practice/news-story/f884aa1c64f6e09cd57e18a25370a403

Telstra poised for Medical Director bid as Best Practice estimated at $1b

As Telstra readies its bid for Medical Director, developed in Bundaberg, speculation is swirling on the comparative value of its sibling Best Practice.

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https://www.zdnet.com/article/digital-health-agency-says-my-health-record-risk-mitigation-work-on-track/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

Digital Health Agency says My Health Record risk mitigation work on-track

Addressing concerns raised by an audit that had asked the agency to create a risk management plan as well as remind users of My Health Record of how the emergency access function should be used.

By Asha Barbaschow | June 21, 2021 -- 05:53 GMT (15:53 AEST) | Topic: Security

The system administrator of Australia's oft-criticised My Health Record has agreed to a number of recommendations made by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit as part of its probe into the security resilience of the online medical file.

The committee in 2019 scrutinised a report from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) which pointed out a number of security issues concerning the Australian Digital Health Agency's (ADHA) My Health Record implementation that otherwise widely gave ADHA the tick as "largely effective".

In a response [PDF] to the committee, ADHA provided an update to its ANAO My Health Record Performance Audit Implementation Plan, which was developed in February 2020.

One of the recommendations made by ANAO was that ADHA conduct an end-to-end privacy risk assessment of the operation of the My Health Record system under the opt-out model, including shared risks and mitigation controls. It also recommended for the agency to incorporate the results of this assessment into the risk management framework for the My Health Record system.

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https://medicalrepublic.com.au/active-ingredient-prescribing-woes-continue/47654

22 June 2021

‘Silly brain fart’: active ingredient woes continue

Clinical Medicolegal Pharmaceuticals

By Holly Payne

GPs continue to warn of potentially dangerous scenarios arising from active ingredient prescribing legislation.

The legislation, which kicked into gear early this year, has required all practice management software to change the ways in which prescription medications are listed when printed out.

Now, no matter what brand name is typed into the computer, the print-out will just list the active ingredient.

The only way to get it back is for the prescribing doctor to go back into the script list, delete the entry, and rewrite it, remembering to tick a “no substitutions” box while they’re there.

Issues with the system have been varied, ranging from patients assuming they’ve been incorrectly prescribed a new drug to a patient with a serious egg allergy almost receiving a generic flu vaccine

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https://www.ama.com.au/gp-network-news/my-health-record-get-pathology-results

My Health Record to get pathology results

20 Apr 2017

The Australian Digital Health Agency has recently advised the AMA that pathology tests carried out at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and The Children’s Hospital at Randwick will be the first to be shared with patients signed up to the My Health Record. Other locations in NSW will be progressively going live over the coming months with work also commencing in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, ACT, and Queensland.

The inclusion of pathology reports does not replace existing communication of pathology reports between laboratories and doctors or consumers. Where a report is uploaded it will be immediately available to members of the health care team but there will be a seven day delay before patients will be able to view the report, so that results can be discussed with them beforehand.

Patients will have the opportunity to request their results not be uploaded to the My Health Record if they choose.

Fact Sheet for GPs

Patient Fact Sheet

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https://www.hospitalhealth.com.au/content/technology/news/monash-bivacor-team-to-lead-new-frontier-in-artificial-heart-technology-843558260

Monash–BiVACOR team to lead new frontier in artificial heart technology

Monday, 21 June, 2021

Monash University and BiVACOR are leading a consortium of universities, hospitals and industry to develop and commercialise the world’s first durable total artificial heart.

With $1 million in federal government funding via the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program will develop and commercialise new devices through the use of novel, innovative technology. The research team is aiming to take this new technology to market within the six-year duration of the MRFF Frontiers program, and hopes to save lives, create jobs and establish Australia as a worldwide leader in the medical device sector.

The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart is an implantable total artificial heart based on rotary blood pump technology. Similar in size to an adult fist, it is small enough to be implanted in many women and some children, and is capable of providing enough cardiac output to an adult male undergoing exercise.

The heart’s design incorporates magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) technology — the same principle used in high-speed trains — and includes left and right vanes positioned on a common rotor to form the only moving part, a magnetically suspended double-sided centrifugal impeller.

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https://www.careerone.com.au/jobview/director-operational-performance/ee0afbf2-ab1e-419b-8fff-c5e848fee2bb

Director, Operational Performance - ADHA

Canberra ACT

Full job description

About the Agency
The Australian Digital Health Agency is responsible for national digital health services and systems, with a focus on engagement, innovation and clinical quality and safety. Our focus is on putting data and technology safely to work for patients, consumers and the healthcare professionals who look after them.

This role can be based in Canberra, Sydney or Brisbane and offers flexible work arrangements. The Agency invests in management and leadership training.

About the Role
This role sits in the Technology Services Division and takes responsibility for and provides strategic and technical expertise in the management of system performance, monitoring of systems connected and interacting with the National Digital Health Infrastructure; leading a team of specialists to monitor and troubleshoot system, conformance and vendor issues, while working with the wider Technology Operations Branch to ensure operational alignment of objectives.
The Director, Operational Performance works with a range of internal and external stakeholders and contributes to the solutions for complex technical and systems related problems across multiple environments, which is critical to the success in the role. 
The Director Operational Performance is also responsible for onboarding and monitoring of software vendors into production including business to business and business to mobile interfaces, and the development and monitoring of system implementation requirements. The role will provide leadership and trend analysis capabilities to drive and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

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www.digitalhealth.gov.au

National Authentication Service for Health (NASH) Transition webinar

23 June, 2020

Dear Valued Industry Partner,

Register your interest in the National Authentication Service for Health (NASH) Transition webinar.

The Agency will be hosting a webinar to provide information on the transition from NASH SHA-1 to SHA-2 certificates.

Date: Wednesday 7 July 2021 – 1 pm to 2 pm AEST

This is targeted at various people within your organisation responsible for product management, operations management, software development, testing and customer support. Please forward this email to anyone in your organisation who you think might benefit from this webinar.

During the webinar, we will be discussing the transition from NASH SHA-1 to SHA-2 certificates, timelines and what you and your customers will be required to do to support this. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions.

People who wish to attend must register their interest by clicking this registration link and completing the registration process.

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Software Developer Community Announcement

My Health Record FHIR Gateway v2.1

The Australian Digital Health Agency has updated the My Health Record FHIR Gateway specification.

Scope

This release updates the API specification, data mapping and error mapping to incorporate changes required to introduce a new API call service to retrieve an immunisation history statement in PDF format. This statement can be used as proof of immunisations.

The following end product and product component documents have been updated:

  1. My Health Record FHIR Gateway v2.1
  2. My Health Record FHIR Gateway – API Specification v2.1
  3. My Health Record FHIR Gateway – Data Mapping v2.1
  4. My Health Record FHIR Gateway – Error Mapping v2.1

Who does this affect?

New and existing software developers of mobile applications that will integrate with My Health Record.

More Information

For a more detailed description of the changes, please refer to the My Health Record FHIR Gateway - Release Notes v2.1

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https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/recent-media-releases/provider-connect-australia-helping-healthcare-providers-stay-connected

Provider Connect Australia - helping healthcare providers stay connected

Published 25 June 2021

Healthcare provider organisations around the country can now update information about their healthcare services and practitioners in just one place using Provider Connect Australia, eliminating the need to keep multiple directories up-to-date manually.

Provider Connect Australia is new technology that maintains the accuracy of healthcare service and practitioner contact details and will be rolled out nationally. It is expected to achieve economic benefits of more than $30 million per year by 2025.

When healthcare provider organisations update their contact details in the Provider Connect Australia service, this automatically sends their new details to nominated hospitals, pathology and radiology services, public service directories, secure messaging providers and more.

Australian Digital Health Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole said Provider Connect Australia would drive greater interoperability and adoption of secure messaging across the Australian healthcare system and provide benefits to both patients and health professionals.

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https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/australia-rolling-out-online-healthcare-provider-directory

Australia rolling out online healthcare provider directory

Adam Ang | 25 Jun 2021

The Australian Digital Health Agency, a statutory body responsible for implementing various digital health initiatives, has announced that it will launch an online platform where healthcare providers in the country can place and update information about their services and practitioners.

WHAT IT DOES

According to a press release, Provider Connect Australia maintains the accuracy of healthcare service and practitioner contact details. It can also automatically send new details to nominated hospitals, pathology and radiology services, public service directories, secure messaging providers and others.

Previously, health organisations were required to fill out between 10 and 20 paper or online forms to notify other providers about the changes in their services or practitioner information. The ADHA said Provider Connect Australia eliminates that "substantial" red-tape burden.

Formerly called Service Registration Assistant, Provider Connect Australia was first tried out in Northern New South Wales last year, where it was found that 99% of participating practitioner records held in the health district's address book were "out of date".

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https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/latest-ai-powered-pharmacy-dispensing-platform-launched-australia

Latest AI-powered pharmacy dispensing platform launched in Australia

Adam Ang | 23 Jun 2021

Pharmacy IT solutions provider Fred IT unveiled on Tuesday a new pharmacy dispensing platform powered by artificial intelligence.

WHAT IT DOES

The company says the Fred Dispense Plus platform is an improvement from the widely used Fred Dispense Australia platform.

Among its features, the Fred AID (Artificial Intelligence Directions) tool uses AI and big data to support clinical and business decision making. As it predicts medication directions, the AI tool allows pharmacists to quickly and safely enter directions for dispensing labels through shortcuts instead of manual typing. Another smart tool on the platform can perform pricing comparison.

According to Fred IT, its newest pharmacy dispensing platform enables "safer" dispensing with a new and secure Microsoft SQL local database and integrated MIMS drug interactions. Additionally, it features "faster" electronic prescriptions with embedded My Script List and token management with MedView Flow.

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https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/advanced-human-imaging-finish-integration-health-screening-tech-nexus-vita-app

Advanced Human Imaging to finish integration of health screening tech with Nexus-Vita app

Adam Ang | 24 Jun 2021

Australia-listed Advanced Human Imaging has entered into a binding agreement with Singaporean health tech company Nexus-Vita for the integration of its smartphone-based health screening platform with the latter's upcoming health app. The deal is for a consideration of $500,000.

WHAT IT DOES

Nexus-Vita is developing an application that allows users to manage and keep their health data, such as from wearable devices, training, nutrition and care programmes, that can also be shared with doctors, healthcare providers, personal trainers or chronic disease management specialists.

It plans to add into its health app the AHI CompleteScan, a health screening platform that enables a smartphone to scan a user's face, body and skin for measurements, health indicators and risks. Based on AHI's website, the software kit will later include blood biomarker chronic disease assessment and monitoring.

Nexus-Vita sees its application improving lifetime health, minimising the need for medical interventions and saving cost and resources for both users and health systems.

"A key differentiator of our platform is we will engage with our consumers to assist them in understanding their chronic disease risk," said Nexus-Vita CEO Jeff Marquass in a statement.

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https://wildhealth.net.au/intra-hospital-interoperability-moving-to-crisis-point/

22 June 2021

Intra hospital interoperability moving to crisis point

Clinical Admin EHR/EMR Hospital Interoperability Nurse call system Sponsored

By Staff Writers

A modern interoperable hospital setup featuring simultaneous management of multiple patients with multiple data points on many integrated and co-ordinated devices is emerging. It is one of the greatest new challenges for administrators seeking improved safety, efficiency and patient centricity.

Most Australian hospitals, even relatively newly built ones, will feature a melange of non-integrated devices and reporting systems, and an array legacy alert systems, which aren’t well co-ordinated with any other systems or care team workflows.

These systems usually build up via the use of multiple vendors, either over time or even in new builds, which increases the complexity of anyone attempting to co-ordinate clinical teams and their interactions with patients.

As the number of systems proliferate – physiological monitors, ventilators, IV pumps, dialysis, EMR, nurse call and real-time care team location services, to name a few – each creating patient data for a particular aspect of a patient’s management, and each often having its own cascading alarm management protocol, the fatigue and confusion among a care team can start to expand rapidly.

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https://www.hinz.org.nz/news/570914/National-service-wont-focus-on-consolidating-IT-systems.htm

Consolidating IT systems not focus of national health service

Wednesday, 23 June 2021  

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

The new national health service will not focus on “ripping and replacing” DHB IT systems but will implement national systems where it makes sense to do so, the lead policy advisor for digital and data within the Transition Unit says.

Health Minister Andrew Little announced in April that the government is scrapping all 20 DHBs and replacing them with a new Crown entity called Health NZ.

Speaking at the MTANZ HealthTech Conference in Auckland on June 23, Emily Mailes said “digital health and data are going to be so critical to make this reform a success”.

Mailes said the details of the transition are still being developed, but all DHB contracts will automatically roll over to Health NZ and the new Maori Health Authority in July of next year when the new organisations are formally established.
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https://www.theweeklysource.com.au/unitingcare-queensland-update-on-ransomware-infection/

UnitingCare Queensland update on ransomware infection

Published on June 24, 2021

UnitingCare Queensland said it had made “good progress” in restoring its computer systems and applications online after a ransomware infection in late April.

“This includes the restoration of our key corporate systems, as well as reinstatement of many of the integrations between applications supporting our business processes,” said UnitingCare Queensland in a statement.

UnitingCare Queensland, which provides aged care, disability support, health care and crisis response through Blue Care, Lifeline, The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital and St Stephen’s Hospital, was a victim of the Sodinokibi/REvil malware, which has been known to encrypt files and try to delete backups, before demanding a ransom payment since April 2019.

UnitingCare Queensland said it continues to partner with third-party incident response and threat eradication specialists to ensure integrity across its digital channels.

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https://www.itwire.com/business-it/australian-genome-research-facility-deploys-cloudian-object-storage-solution-to-manage-its-data.html

Monday, 21 June 2021 12:16

Australian Genome Research Facility deploys Cloudian object storage solution to manage its data

By Kenn Anthony Mendoza

The Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) processes at least 10 terabytes of data in a week that drives important research. After searching for a solution, it has chosen Cloudian’s storage solution to help manage its data and noted its scalability and cost-effectiveness.

The AGRF has deployed Cloudian’s S3-compatible object storage solution, enabling AGRF to manage and store its rapidly growing volumes of genome sequencing data more effectively, Cloudian announces.

The AGRF is said to empower world-class genomic science in the biomedical, clinical, agricultural and environmental sectors, with over 15,000 clients worldwide. The organisation has been at the centre of COVID-19 research, from assisting researchers with vaccine development to detecting the virus in wastewater. AGRF is also distinguishing itself by sequencing genomes of Australian threatened species to aid conservation efforts.

In an average week, AGRF processes at least 10 terabytes (TB) of data—equivalent to one year’s worth of data from the Hubble Space Telescope. Because this data drives important research, AGRF needs a storage system that enables it to easily manage, protect, and access the data at the lowest possible cost.

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https://www.itwire.com/business-it/aspen-medical-leverages-cradlepoint%E2%80%99s-connectivity-for-their-medical-staff.html

Tuesday, 22 June 2021 10:22

Aspen Medical leverages Cradlepoint’s connectivity for their medical staff

By Kenn Anthony Mendoza

Global healthcare provider Aspen Medical has rolled out Cradlepoint NetCloud and over 220 wireless routers to enable connectivity across federal government-funded GP-led respiratory (COVID-19 testing) clinics and for their vaccination teams in aged care facilities.

Under the deal, Aspen Medical taps Cradlepoint’s mobility solutions that can deliver fixed connection for sensitive patient data, telephony, and printing services. By using a NetCloud-configured Cradlepoint router, medical workers can upload patient data to the system within a matter of minutes.

Earlier this year, Aspen Medical managed COVID-19 testing facilities and hotel quarantine at the Australian Open in Melbourne and leveraged Cradlepoint to deliver connectivity for medical staff.

Since many respiratory clinics are in regional, rural or remote areas, Aspen Medical chose Cradlepoint for mobility solutions that deliver fixed connection for sensitive patient data, telephony, and printing services.

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www.andhealth.com.au

ANDHealth Welcomes States' Investment in Digital Innovation 

 

ANDHealth this week welcomed budget announcements by the NSW and SA Governments which included further investment into entrepreneurship and innovation, virtual care, telehealth, e-prescribing and electronic medical records to support the growth of Australia’s digital health sector. This recognition and investment marks a critical step by state governments in advancing our digital health infrastructure.

However, industry growth hinges on structures which look beyond health IT to evidence-based, connected and data driven products proven to directly impact patient outcomes. The depth and breadth of the funding announced by NSW and SA Governments directly points to both states taking a leadership role in transforming their economies and the health of their citizens via technology.

Bronwyn Le Grice, Managing Director and CEO of ANDHealth, commented, “As Australia’s only organisation specialised in the acceleration of commercialisation in digital health technologies, we see the gaps that exist to support new deep tech digital health ventures in Australia. Funding from both the NSW and SA Governments will not only facilitate the generation of new ideas, design, and investment in these two states, but will create sustainable jobs and economic growth in targeted sectors, including digital health.”
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http://www.medianet.com.au/releases/203180/


24 Jun 2021 11:48 AM AEST

Singular Health Group launches innovative Medical File Transfer Protocol              

SHG transforms the way diagnostic images can be transferred globally with blockchain based Medical File Transfer Protocol (MFTP) 

·         Diagnostic images have transformed healthcare, but patients and practitioners often lack simple ways to access and understand them. 

·         A recent UK study showed that over 80% of patients want to receive their images directly, but the process to do so is complex, and in 2D.

·         SHG’s transformational Medical File Transfer Protocol (MFTP), launched today, provides a secure and auditable method for the transfer of medical DICOM images between practitioners and patients.

·         MFTP to act as backbone infrastructure for transfer of medical images and 3D design files between different modalities to share imaging files for the 3Dicom software on desktop, mobile devices and VR headsets throughout the Scan to SurgeryTM process. 

·         Previously limited by file size, SHG’s 3Dicom software automatically provides lossless data compression of up to 85% in DICOM, facilitating the MFTP.

·         Transactions completed via the MFTP, such as consent to share images and the image’s download, are stored on a private blockchain for a full audit trail.  

24 June 2021 – Singular Health Group Ltd (ASX: SHG) (“Singular Health”, or “the Company”) has today released the first publicly available version of its Medical File Transfer Protocol (MFTP), as part of the 3Dicom v2.5.0 software release.

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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-to-make-hfc-connections-again-from-late-july-566415

NBN Co to make HFC connections again from late July

By Ry Crozier on Jun 24, 2021 1:04PM

After overcoming chip shortage and work scheduling issues.

NBN Co will resume taking new hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) connection orders from July 26, after replenishing its stock of network termination devices (NTDs) and overcoming workforce management system issues.

The company said in a statement that it now has “sufficient stock” of the HFC modems on-hand, “with further deliveries expected”.

“We are pleased to confirm that we have acquired sufficient stocks of HFC modems and resolved a number of issues that have impacted the availability of field technicians, which will enable us to recommence taking new orders to connect premises to the network via HFC technology,” NBN Co’s chief customer officer Brad Whitcomb said.

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https://www.itwire.com/telecoms-and-nbn/new-regulatory-model-for-nbn-a-%E2%80%98step-closer%E2%80%99-says-accc.html

Tuesday, 22 June 2021 13:19

New regulatory model for NBN a ‘step closer’ says ACCC  

By Staff Writer

Australia’s competition regulator the ACCC says a new regulatory model for the National Broadband Network is one step closer after a telecommunications industry roundtable last week brought together NBN Co, broadband retailers, industry groups, consumer representatives and government.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) called the roundtable after NBN Co announced it would be seeking to revise its special access undertaking, which is a key part of the regulation that governs the prices NBN Co can charge retailers.

“Getting the regulatory framework for the NBN right is a key priority for the ACCC this year. This roundtable was the first step in that process and it was pleasing to see stakeholders coming together to discuss the issues in an open, constructive way,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“It is clear that the NBN pricing construct is a key issue for stakeholders, and the Connectivity Virtual Circuit (CVC) component of NBN’s pricing model was a particular focus of discussion.”

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https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-opens-300m-regional-co-investment-fund-566327

NBN Co opens $300m regional co-investment fund

By Ry Crozier on Jun 23, 2021 6:40AM

For satellite and wireless footprint upgrades.

NBN Co is now inviting expressions of interest for its $300 million regional co-investment fund, which will part-pay broadband infrastructure upgrades in areas served by either fixed wireless or satellite.

The fund was announced in September last year as part of a multi-billion dollar package of upgrades to the NBN.

“Expressions of interest can now be lodged to allow project costings prior to interested parties deciding to submit an application,” NBN Co said in a statement.

“The closing date for receipt of build estimate requests is 5pm (AEDST) on October 1 2021, and the closing date for applications under the initial round is 5pm (AEDST) on February 18 2022.”

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https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/pentagon-remains-baffled-by-ufos-in-new-report-on-encounters-20210626-p584gf.html

Pentagon remains baffled by UFOs in new report on encounters

By Nomaan Merchant

June 26, 2021 — 7.47am

Washington: A long-awaited US government report on UFOs released Friday makes at least one thing clear: the truth is still out there.

Investigators did not find extraterrestrial links in reviewing 144 sightings of aircraft or other devices apparently flying at mysterious speeds or trajectories. But they drew few other conclusions and instead highlighted the need for better data collection about what’s increasingly seen by Democrats and Republicans as a national security concern. In all but one of the sightings investigated, there was too little information for investigators to even broadly characteristic the nature of the incident.

There were 18 cases in which witnesses saw “unusual” patterns of movement or flight characteristics, the report said, adding that more analysis was needed to determine if those sightings represented “breakthrough” technology.

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Enjoy!

David.