26 November 2025 - Top Stories

Orion Health has introduced Concerto AI, a new clinical platform that integrates artificial intelligence into hospital workflows. Building on their existing portal, it features natural-language search, AI-generated summaries, and early risk detection tools. The platform’s modular design allows healthcare providers to adopt it without replacing current systems, potentially improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. This move underscores Orion Health’s commitment to embedding AI in clinical practice, offering a flexible solution relevant across Australian hospitals and beyond.

Meanwhile, the Australian government is investing in primary care by funding 100 new university places for medical students, with a focus on general practice. Ten universities will each receive 10 places, aiming to bolster the GP workforce, especially in rural areas. The initiative emphasises primary care training and extra rotations, reflecting a long-term strategy to address workforce shortages and improve health access.

In NSW, efforts to expand GPs' role in ADHD care are progressing. Over 6000 scripts have been issued since reforms began in September, with around 560 GPs now endorsed as prescribers. The initiative aims to reduce costs for families and ease pressure on specialists, supporting community-based management of ADHD. The move is backed by the RACGP but faces some concerns from other professional bodies about oversight and quality assurance.

On the policy front, experts are calling for greater transparency in AI healthcare tools. Professor Enrico Coiera advocates for vendors to publish performance data, including error rates, to enable clinicians to make informed decisions. He also criticises the Australian Digital Health Agency for limited focus on AI in its national strategy, highlighting the importance of building domestic AI capabilities and establishing clear standards for safety and effectiveness.

Australia is also prioritising climate resilience in health systems. The federal government has endorsed the Belém Health Action Plan, which recommends identifying climate-related health risks, stockpiling supplies, and enhancing emergency responses. This approach aims to prepare health services for increasing climate-related disasters, especially in rural and regional areas, and presents opportunities for healthtech solutions supporting risk management and disaster response.

• Orion Health launches AI-powered clinical platform with flexible integration.
• Government funds 100 new GP training places to boost primary care workforce.
• NSW expands GPs' role in ADHD management, increasing access and reducing costs.
• Calls for greater transparency and domestic AI development in healthcare.
• Australia adopts climate resilience strategies for health systems, focusing on disaster preparedness.
• UNSW opens a $1.5 billion health innovation hub to accelerate research and collaboration.
• Funding concerns raised over sustainability of digital health systems in Australia.