UNSW precision care scales genomics-guided treatment nationwide

UNSW Sydney's Precision Care Clinic scales genomics-guided treatment nationwide.

Genomics access

Through the Precision Care Clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital, tumour genomics informs treatment for more than 200 Australian patients since 2023, with around 22 per cent from regional and remote areas. A panel of specialists reviews each case and forwards evidence-based recommendations to the treating oncologist. The clinic partners with Omico to link patients with genomic testing and access to clinical trials, creating a pathway that blends research with routine care. Follow-up questions have been addressed in over 100 consultations, underscoring ongoing clinician engagement.

Funding sustainability

Scale will hinge on formal funding to embed genomic-guided care as routine rather than pilot work. Without enduring support, regional access gains risk eroding as programs wind down and budgets tighten. Health systems and cancer networks will need to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes to justify ongoing investment, a pattern visible across health-tech pilots where policy and funding shape adoption more than technology itself.

Zelia app uptake

Zelia is a Brisbane healthtech startup launching an AI enabled app to manage medications and health data. Users can log doses, track symptoms and pull data from Apple Health, then generate a one-page pre‑visit summary for a GP or specialist. The app leans on Anthropic’s Claude to provide plain language guidance but does not diagnose or prescribe. Patients with polypharmacy stand to gain clearer information before consultations, while clinics with unstructured data could suffer longer visits unless routine data capture becomes standard, and regulatory uncertainty may slow uptake.

GLP-1 safety

The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a class-wide safety update for all GLP-1 receptor agonists, flagging a rare but serious eye condition called NAION. The absolute risk remains small, but clinicians should watch for sudden vision changes and arrange urgent eye assessments when needed. For health systems, this means updating decision support and patient education around GLP-1 therapies; for manufacturers, it adds scrutiny that could temper uptake until guidance and monitoring are implemented.