The Australian Digital Health Agency and the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) have announced the launch of the Capability Action Plan (CAP), which has been designed to support Australia’s health workforce to develop their digital skills.

Under the CAP, the Agency and AIDH will work together over the next two years, in partnership with their key stakeholders, to support healthcare workers to deliver “virtual and connected care to Australians” by equipping them with the tools and capabilities to navigate the transformation of digital health and how patients manage and experience healthcare.

AIDH chief executive, Louise Schaper, said the Institute has dedicated the last four years to advance the digital capability of the health workforce.

“The Institute, its Fellows and Members already work with many health professions on workforce advancement, through accreditation and training, with programs that start with the basics of digital health to more advanced workforce-based programs,” she said.

“The nursing and midwifery workforce has started to upskill by assessing capability in public and private sectors and creating a starting point to build programs for education and training. It’s time to take this to all health professions on a larger scale.”

Agency chief executive, Amanda Cattermole, stressed that “across the health sector concerted action is required to build the capability of the workforce so that the benefits of digital health are realised for more patients in more settings”.

“Workforce strategy development and planning requires consultation, including with professional colleges, universities and educators and employers in the public and private sectors. Coordination of effort is also vital, and the AIDH, with its strong existing knowledge, relationships and independence in this area, is well positioned to take on this role,” she commented on the announcement.