Murdoch University has joined a consortium of WA medical researchers working to develop and deliver the State’s first digital health-specific program.

The program, which is designed to support education programs in digital health commercialisation, will launch in Western Australia after being awarded a State Government X-TEND WA grant.

Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly announced the funding: “This unique program is securing jobs for Western Australians through businesses gaining the know-how to scale up and expand, to attract further investment and create jobs.

"Supporting start-ups, emerging businesses and small enterprises to scale up or become investor ready is important for the growth of our economy and creating WA jobs.”

Developing digital health entrepreneurs

The pilot of the Digital Health Accelerator Program will build capacity in digital health entrepreneurs and provide a pathway to commercialisation by leveraging existing programs and locally-based expertise, and delivering programs currently operating outside WA.

The programs are unique as they combine industry-led expertise with proven frameworks for teaching innovation to provide tailored advice and thinking models specifically for digital health entrepreneurs.

Murdoch University Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor David Morrison, welcomed the announcement.

“Murdoch University’s focus on translational research is improving practices in many aspects of healthcare delivery, creating a positive impact both in Western Australia and around the world,” Professor Morrison said.

“By fostering entrepreneurial talent through the Digital Health Accelerator Program, we hope to see more research innovations transformed into commercial technology making a difference to patients throughout our health sector.”

The Sustainable Health Review recently launched by the WA Department of Health highlights digital healthcare as an area where investment was needed and a rich source of opportunity to improve the health system and patient outcomes.

The Program partners are Telethon Kids Institute, Linear Clinical Research, Curtin University, The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Perron Institute, Lions Eye Institute, Ear Science Institute Australia, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, ANDHealth and Curve Tomorrow.

The X-TEND WA Program is a competitive grants program - funded under the New Industries Fund and run by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation - which is designed to build capability and capacity within the WA innovation community.