Jodi Yeats
The Health IT Cluster is disappointed there's no new money in the
Budget specifically targeted to health innovation.
"It would have been wonderful to see some innovation funding. It
is something I strongly believe is missing in the sector to get
innovation really moving," Andrea Pettett says.
While there are pockets of innnovation in the health sector, it is
difficult to get projects rolled out nationally, and the cluster
sees a need for a stronger focus on how the country innovates in
health.
It is positive to see health funding has grown and whether the
innovation that is sorely needed in the health sector can be funded
through that remains to be seen. However, it looks as if the new
money is allocated to specific outcomes, Ms Pettett says.
So, even after the Budget, the health sector still has the
challenge of funding innovation and that has proven difficult with
existing mechanisms, she says.