On 14-15 June 2017 in Brisbane, The Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) explored the challenges that underpin an ageing population at the 2017 ATSE National Technology Challenges Dialogue: The Crisis in Ageing - Technology to manage the challenges in healthcare.

Following on from the event, the Academy has produced this Action Statement, which highlights the key messages from the Dialogue and provides a set of actions for improving the healthcare system.

The Action Statement stresses the need for Australia to embrace digital health technologies and focus on data integration and standardisation. It illustrates central challenges, including community lack of trust, lack of data integration, regulatory barriers and issues with the development and uptake of technologies by the sector. The statement then sets out three key recommendations for the way forward, which are standardisation and integration of data collection and sharing, consumer empowerment and greater investment in preventative technologies.

ATSE, through our Health Technology Forum, will continue to advocate for these recommendations, by engaging with the Australian Digital Health Agency, Standards Australia, other Learned Academies and relevant medical and allied health professional bodies.