The Tasmanian government has allocated $150 million over four years out of an expected $475 million, 10-year investment in digital health technologies in today’s state budget, proposing to become the first Australian state to deliver a fully integrated healthcare system.

The long-term investment will see the procurement and implementation of a statewide electronic medical record (EMR), an Ambulance Tasmania integrated electronic patient care record (ePCR), and a statewide clinical viewer for hospitals, community care, GPs, specialists and allied health to better access clinical information across care settings.

There will also be a digital front door for patients through a consumer portal that will include scheduling of appointments, personal details and accessing results and medical advice, and a big emphasis on virtual care, following the success of its COVID@home project.