ADHA appoints Dr Amandeep Hansra as new Chief Clinical Adviser

The Australian Digital Health Agency has appointed Dr Amandeep Hansra as its new Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine).

Dr Hansra is a leading expert in digital health and telehealth, with extensive and ongoing experience in clinical practice, education and governance.

Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM said Dr Hansra’s unique skill set would be a great asset for the Agency and the health sector to guide its vision of a more connected health system for all Australians.

Towards a more connected health system

“Dr Hansra is a visionary leader who has been at the forefront of transforming healthcare delivery through digital solutions. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise has been invaluable in the last six years that she has been a Digital Health Adviser for the Agency, and I look forward to working closely with her as part of the executive team,” Cattermole said.

Hansra said she was honoured to advance her work with the Agency as Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine) as part of an expanded clinical leadership team.

“I have always been passionate about innovation in the health sector. I believe that digital health is the key to improving access, quality and safety of care. As we enter a pivotal time in evolution of technology in health care, I am delighted to elevate my work with the Agency to ensure that digital health initiatives continue to be clinically led, evidence-based and person-centred,” Hansra said.

Cattermole said Hansra will take over the role from Dr Steve Hambleton, who has served as the Agency’s Chief Clinical Adviser since 2016 and who will continue to work with the Agency as a Specialist Adviser as he manages other time commitments.

“Dr Hambleton has provided extraordinary service to the Agency and the health sector as a whole with his trusted and respected advice. I am grateful for his foresight and deep commitment and very pleased that he will continue to work with us, providing his wisdom and his insights,” Cattermole said.

Technology, patients and paperwork

Hambleton said he was proud of the achievements of the Agency and the progress of digital health in Australia.

“In 1995 I bought a computer for my practice and within days three pharmacists had called to thank me because they could read what was on the scripts. That was the beginning of understanding what technology could do for patient safety, and how it could allow clinicians to prioritise time with patients over paperwork,” Hambleton said.

“Now we are on the verge of precision medicine and the next wave of change will create a truly connected system that ensures we have the right information readily available at the point of care.”

Digital health and nursing

Cattermole also announced the creation of a new role of Chief Clinical Adviser (Nursing), which will complement the Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine) position and broaden the representation of health professionals at the executive level in the Agency. These roles champion the Clinical Governance Framework for Digital Health and work through the framework to lead and support clinical governance across the Agency and beyond.

“We recognise the vital role that nurses play in the delivery of healthcare services and the adoption of digital health solutions. The Chief Clinical Adviser (Nursing) will provide us with valuable insights and guidance on how to better engage and support the nursing workforce in the adoption of digital health,” Cattermole said.

Image: Supplied.