NSW Health launches 25-member AI taskforce

NSW Health has formed a new taskforce to inform and guide the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public health system.

The taskforce, formed following an expression of interest process, will play an important role in overseeing the creation of an AI Framework to ensure safe and successful use of AI.

“Establishing a framework for NSW Health around AI is an important step towards meeting the future needs of our patients, community and workforce,” said NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park.

“The framework will enable us to look for more innovative ways to complement and support the capabilities of our highly skilled workforce, while addressing the risks and challenges that come with the use of AI in health.”

The taskforce will be supported by working groups to develop an AI Framework for release in 2024. The framework will encompass important elements such as governance, communication, skills and capability, assets and intellectual property, and data governance, and align with national and state government frameworks.

The taskforce is co-chaired by A/Professor Jean-Frédéric Levesque, Deputy Secretary, Clinical Innovation and Research, and Dr Zoran Bolevich, Chief Executive, eHealth NSW, and Chief Information Officer, NSW Health.

Other members include:

• Andrew Perkins, Executive Director, Investment, Strategy and Architecture, eHealth NSW
• Dr Kim Sutherland, Director, Evidence, Agency for Clinical Innovation
• Margot Mains, Chief Executive, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
• Professor Neil Merrett, Program Director of Surgery, South Western Sydney Local Health District and Member, NSW Health System Advisory Council
• Dr Heather Cameron, Clinical Director, Oral Health Service, Western NSW Local Health District and Member, NSW Health System Advisory Council
• A/Professor Christina Igasto, Chief Digital Health Officer and Chief Information Officer, Western Sydney Local Health District
• Sally Duncan, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officer, Northern Sydney Local Health District
• Sayeed Zia, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
• Neville Board, Chief Digital Health and Information Officer, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
• Dr Andrew Hallahan, Executive Director, Medical Services, Clinical Governance, and Risk, Sydney Local Health District
• Jamie Gabriel, Chief Data Officer, Cancer Institute NSW
• Emma Skulander, Chief Operating Officer, Health Infrastructure
• Melissa Pollard, Director, Information Communication and Technology, and Digital Services, HealthShare NSW
• Professor Jonathan Morris, Co-Lead Maternity Intelligence, Associate Director, Medical Patient Safety, Clinical Excellence Commission
• Professor Robert Lindeman, Director, Clinical Operations, NSW Health Pathology
• Dr Olivia Hibbitt, Director, Specialist Service and Technology Evaluation Unit, NSW Ministry of Health
• Deanne Tadros, Director, Capability and Legal Operations, Legal and Regulatory Services, NSW Ministry of Health
• Michelle Weiss, Director, Corporate Communications, NSW Ministry of Health
• Dr Amith Shetty, Clinical Director, System Sustainability and Performance, NSW Ministry of Health
• Dr Jan Fizzell, Senior Medical Advisor, Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health
• Tamara Lee, Director, Future Workforce, Workforce Planning and Talent Development, NSW Ministry of Health
• Steven Carr, Executive Director, System Financial Performance and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, NSW Ministry of Health
• Dr Paresh Dawda, General Practitioner Representative
• Carly Eales, Consumer Representative
   

Several AI-related projects, including integrated electronic medical records, wound care management, data engineering for complex data analysis, coding automation support, and storeroom stocking and detailing, are already in place across NSW Health. The framework will aim to embrace the potential of AI to have a significant impact on health care and drive transformative change in how we provide and manage health care and in further accelerating many aspects of clinical research.

It will also balance the opportunities and benefits presented by AI with consideration and management of potential risks around safety, ethics, privacy, security and regulation.

The taskforce will build on the work of the Department of Customer Service, translating the whole-of-government approach into the healthcare context, as well as aligning with the Australian Government’s interim response to the Safe and Responsible AI consultation, according to NSW Health.

Image credit: iStock.com/ArtemisDiana