An Innovative Approach to the 

Future of Health

Queensland Health is undergoing a metamorphosis as traditional boundaries dissolve, making way for a collaborative approach to innovation that will revolutionise patient care and system resilience.

In an era of rapid technological advancement and complex healthcare challenges, the need for collaboration and innovation within the health industry has never been more apparent. Traditional organisational structures, often characterised by isolated departments and information silos, can hinder progress and stifle the potential for groundbreaking discoveries. 

 Recognising this, Queensland Health has embraced a transformative shift, and is fostering an environment where diverse ideas, knowledge, and skills converge, amplifying its power to lead Queenslanders into a healthier future. 

 At the newly-created Clinical Planning and Service Strategy (CPSS) division, Deputy Director-General Colleen Jen is working to tackle existing health challenges and proactively prepare for those that lie ahead. 

CPSS has four portfolios encompassing strategy and planning in research and innovation, the health service system, workforce, and mental health, alcohol and other drugs services. 

“Bringing those functions together enables a more integrated and collaborative approach to strategy and planning - for example, ensuring the research and innovation components are feeding into and informing the health service planning,” Colleen says. 

“By removing pre-existing administrative barriers, we can work together to better design, develop, and support the delivery of innovative solutions for health services, the health workforce, and the community.” 

The CPSS also provides expertise and leadership across the broader health system, such as informing Queensland’s policy strategy and infrastructure planning (be that digital or built infrastructure), and advising on national health priorities and initiatives. 

HEALTHQ32: A strategy for the future 

The challenges facing Queensland as we look towards the future of healthcare delivery are not unique. 

In response to population growth and increasing demand on health systems, the Queensland government is developing long-term strategies to reduce demand pressures, respond to workforce shortages and manage rising costs. 

 HEALTHQ32 sets the future direction for Queensland’s health system and aims to optimise patient care while improving access, equality and quality. 

It includes seven system priorities: reform, First Nations; workforce, consumer safety and quality; health services; public policy; and research. 

The CPSS already has some runs on the board. Colleen says different branches and divisions have been linking up and cross-pollinating strategies for meeting the HEALTHQ32 vision. 

“There’s been a lot of collaboration, particularly in the capital space. In Queensland we have a $10 billion capital programme, and we are now showing some much more synergistic approaches.”

She cites infrastructure planning as an example. 

“We are bringing the technology innovations that are being identified into the planning process for buildings, to ensure we don’t build anything without considering the needs of future service delivery. In the past it has sometimes been the reverse, where first the infrastructure gets delivered and then you work out how you’re going to deliver your services within that. The flow of work is much more streamlined now, with the front end informing what happens.” 

Turning ideas into action 

The CPSS is also working to ensure new ideas are translated into action through the Office of Research and Innovation. ORI is a division focused on fostering creative ideas, turning those ideas into research excellence, and then translating that research into innovative healthcare. 

ORI Executive Director Julie White says the organisation is focussed on driving an ecosystem that empowers innovation in order to find frontier solutions. 

 “Often people think, ‘I’ve got a great idea but I haven’t got the time, or the resources’. We need people to know they will be supported, whether it’s a niche project worth a small amount of money, or a clinical trial worth millions. Their ideas will be rewarded.” 

The ORI has a broad portfolio. It matches Queensland’s world-class research and clinical capabilities – in hospitals, universities, research institutes and businesses – with partners; creates robust intellectual property frameworks and secures patents, and conducts business outreach and industry engagement. 

Julie has a strong focus on translation. 

“Historically, it was like the engine room was broken. We put money into the engine, but we never went to see whether or not it came back out again. That translation part of the journey was missing,” Julie says. 

“We now unpack the results of our research, examine what worked, and put learnings into practice. This is how we create a healthcare system that is sustainable. Anything less is simply a band-aid over the problems.” 

The CPSS stands as a potent force, melding ingenuity and insight to shape the future of healthcare. As we navigate a new epoch, Queensland Health’s approach to innovation and collaboration illuminates a path towards a healthier future for all.