APS response to the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan consultation survey

The APS is pleased to provide input into the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's consultation to support the development of the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan. In our response, we identified a number of ways that the positive impact of technology can be maximised while also realising the vision of the National Digial Health Strategy. Amongst others, we identified:

• Funding the Allied Health Sector to upskill and develop profession-specific resources, communities of practice, and innovative uses of digital technology. 
• Undertaking research to understand the provider experience and the unique needs of each profession before regulating or mandating digital tools or standards. 
• Reducing regulatory burden and uncertainty through proactive and provider-facing information by considering the differential information needs of allied health professionals and others who work with them (e.g. medical practitioners).
• Support peak bodies to work with their members as the trusted conduit to our members and can help signpost resources and contextualise information in ways that are meaningful to psychologists, given their current knowledge and clinical demands.
• Make the benefit-cost ratio positive for providers by investing directly in providers (and professions) by valuing their time, knowledge and expertise. 
• Emphasise tangible benefits by providing specific examples of how digital tools improve outcomes for patients and streamline workflows for specific allied health professions ideally demonstrating easier multidisciplinary collaboration, and reduced administrative burden. 
• Sustain workforce engagement by providing continuous digital upskilling through funded CPD opportunities and supervision incentives. Ideally, the plan should commit to long-term support (e.g. refresher training, updates on new tools, and access to mentoring for digital tool adoption).

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