The Victorian Government is calling for healthcare professionals and community health providers to submit ideas on how technology might be better used to improve patient care and increased productivity in the sector.

 

State Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips opened the Victorian Coalition Government's $15 million Health Market Validation Program (MVP), a program where healthcare challenges will be put to the small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) market for solutions.

 

"We want health agencies to provide us with healthcare challenges that could be solved with technology," Mr Rich-Phillips said.

 

"Clinicians, nurses, hospitals, aged care services, dental services and community health providers are encouraged to submit ideas on how technology might help patients and improve productivity in healthcare."

 

In the first instance, up to $100,000 will be available for feasibility studies to investigate the viability of a proposed solution. Projects will then be assessed for further funding of up to $1.5 million to develop the technology and undertake validation activities.

 

Victorian health-focused public sector-controlled entities have until Tuesday 31 January 2012 to submit their technology requirement specifications.

 

SMEs may also register their interest in participating in the program through the Health MVP website.

 

For further information about the program, including guidelines and how to apply, visit www.business.vic.gov.au/hmvp