EMHS dominates in recent FHRI grant round

Picture of Future Health Research and Innovation collage
26/07/2024

East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) has turned in an impressive performance at the recent Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Innovation Challenge, with four of the 10 successful projects involving teams from across our sites – the most from any health service provider in the State.

The FHRI Fund Innovation Challenge – Sustainable Health Priorities supports WA innovation capability and capacity building and the development of high-quality innovations that contribute to the Sustainable Health Priority areas related to the Sustainable Health Review (SHR) Final Report.

Two entirely EMHS-led projects were successful in their applications, with both receiving game-changing funds for their innovative ideas.  

The Smart Scheduling project

 Picture of Future Health Research and Innovation Ros Jones and Dr Jon Spiro
Ros Jones and Dr Jon Spiro, an interventional cardiologist at RPH
 

Led by Ros Jones from the Royal Perth Bentley Group’s (RPBG) Strategic Projects Outpatient Reform team, the Smart Scheduling initiative seeks to streamline access to outpatient appointments through the development of a smart scheduling tool that optimises booking review appointments.

Securing a whopping $449,931 in FHRI funding, the pilot will be delivered within the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Cardiology Department and is expected to expand to other units over the course of two years. 
 
This highly collaborative project connects staff from Strategic Projects, Outpatients, Cardiology, Digital Data Innovation (DDI), EMHS’ Planning, Innovation and Commissioning (PIC) unit, Consumer Engagement, and the Innovation teams to deliver tangible change at the coalface of care.
 
Ros said she was “very excited to be given the opportunity to lead an innovative project that has the potential to improve outpatient services across RPBG”.
 
“With dedicated funds we can support the digital prediction and digital learning solutions we need to support our clinicians and clerks,” Ros
added.
 
"We needed the grant to expand this further and conceptualise this being used across multiple clinicians and multiple specialties.
 
“The funds will primarily be used to create the digital solutions we need, led by our DDI team members Chris Barton and David Garland.”
 
Ros ended by saying it was the work of a “fantastic, diverse team” that collaborated together to get the grant over the line.
 
“I very much look forward to working with everyone as we embark on this journey over the next two years.”
 
Congratulations to Ros and all those who have contributed to this project.

The HabitHack project

 Picture of Future Health Research and Innovation The HabitHack project
EMHS Innovation Manager Ashleigh Dickson (standing second from left) and Louise Splatt (seated, second from left) with executive staff and students from John Curtin College of the Arts.

 

Based on the premise that recovery tools can become a part of everyday living, the HabitHack project is being steered by Louise Splatt from the RPBG East Metropolitan Youth Unit (EMyU) Occupational Therapy (OT) Team. Now with the significant backing of $260,092 from the FHRI, HabitHack will seek to support adolescent consumers to continue their mental health and wellbeing programs in the community, after they are discharged from the inpatient unit at Bentley Health Service (BHS).

HabitHack aims to “gamify” the EMyU healthy behaviours program and support young people to maintain ‘streaks’ of safe behaviours and coping mechanisms once they’re back home and in the community.

The project was envisaged by a team of students from John Curtin College of the Arts at the EMHS Youth Innovation Think Tank in 2021, and the EMHS team continues to connect with the school and its students to embed the voice of young people into the initiative’s roll-out.

Louise said the team felt “super excited” to implement the innovation concept and prototype developed alongside the John Curtin students.

“These are students who contributed to the original idea (who have since graduated from high school) and are also wanting to continue their involvement, and we are pleased to welcome new students who are passionate about youth mental wellbeing,” she continued.

“The project team met with the John Curtin team last week to announce the grant and initiate conversations about co-design and how they have an opportunity to move their concept into a viable product, which has the potential to make a difference in young people’s lives.”

Congratulations to the students on their creative thinking and staff from EMHS’ Innovation and EMyU teams for bringing their vision to life.

EMHS collaborations win big too!

Picture of Future Health Research and Innovation RPBG Consultant Prof William (Bill) Morgan

RPBG Consultant Prof William (Bill) Morgan.

 

EMHS RPBG Consultant Prof William (Bill) Morgan received $276, 511 FHRI funding via his esteemed role with the Lion’s Eye Institute for the Accessible Collaborative Community Eyecare Service (ACCES).

An ECU collaboration namely the Immersive Violence and Aggression De-escalation Experience (IVADE) – which RPH has piloted in its State Major Trauma Unit (SMTU) and mental health teams over the past six months – secured $396,551.

Well done to all our incredible staff for securing this critical funding support that ensures innovation remains a priority at EMHS. 
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Last Updated: 17/01/2025