Connected Health & Care Summit APAC 2026
Intelligence in Action: Raising the Standard of Care
The Connected Health & Care Summit APAC 2026, held on 4–5 March in Melbourne, brought together healthcare, aged care, and digital health leaders from across the region for two days of insight, collaboration, and shared learning.
With a strong focus on workforce, safety, and data-driven transformation, the Summit created a platform to explore how organisations can move beyond fragmented approaches—and take meaningful action to raise the standard of care.
The Summit opened with a compelling keynote from Tane Hunter (Future Crunch), “Ctrl + Alt + Adapt.”
Challenging attendees to rethink how they respond to rapid change, the session highlighted the importance of adaptability, curiosity, and embracing uncertainty in a fast-evolving world.
It set a clear tone: the future of healthcare belongs to those willing to adapt.
Raising the Standard: A Shared Vision
Building on this momentum, Dan Michelson, CEO of RLDatix, introduced the vision behind RLD2030 — a call to rethink how care is delivered and improved.
Through reflection and storytelling, attendees were encouraged to consider:
- What they are most proud of
- Where they are heading
- And how they can contribute to raising the standard of care—together
The session reinforced that this is not a single initiative—but a shared responsibility across people, systems, and leadership.
From Vision to Reality: Product Innovation in Action
A key highlight of the Summit was the solutions roadmap session led by RLDatix Chief Product Officer, Barbara Staruk.
In an engaging, chatshow-style format, Barbara brought the roadmap to life—moving beyond slides into real-world impact. The session included:
- A live product demonstration
- A forward-looking view of RLDatix innovation
- And three customer speakers on stage, sharing how they are using RLDatix solutions in practice
This combination of product, proof, and lived experience reinforced a critical message:
innovation is only meaningful when it delivers impact at the front line of care.
Challenging What We Hold Onto
In a thought-provoking session featuring Richard Hazeltine and John Lambert (former CCIO, Department of Health Tasmania), attendees were encouraged to rethink long-standing approaches to systems and safety.
A powerful reflection from the session:
This is not about abandoning what has worked — but recognising what no longer serves us.
The discussion highlighted the importance of evolving systems, governance, and thinking—while still respecting the foundations that brought organisations to where they are today.
From Systems to Learning: Real-World Transformation
One of the most impactful sessions of the Summit was the customer panel on transitioning to DCIQ, featuring:
- Western District Health Service
- HealtheCare
- Workforce Extensions
The panel provided honest, real-world insights into organisational transformation, moving from traditional reporting systems towards more connected, insight-driven approaches.
Key themes included:
- Moving from reporting to learning
- Improving visibility and access to data
- Supporting cultural and behavioural change
Day 2: From Insight to Action
Day 2 shifted focus towards application and leadership in action, beginning with practical sessions across workforce and governance, risk, and compliance.
These sessions explored:
- Breaking down silos to improve safety
- Addressing workforce challenges at an operational level
- Connecting strategy with day-to-day execution
In her Day 2 session, Louise Schaper explored “From Systems of Record to Systems of Influence: The AI Shift Reshaping Healthcare”
Her message was clear:
AI is becoming the front door of healthcare.
This shift represents a move towards active, insight-driven systems that influence decisions, behaviours, and outcomes.
This was followed by a keynote and fireside conversation featuring The Hon. Victor Dominello and Louise Schaper, titled “It takes two sticks to start a fire”.
A standout takeaway:
The session reinforced that meaningful transformation requires not just strategy—but action, ownership, and collaboration.
Workforce & Safer Care: Making It Stick
Across both days, safety and building actionable insights remained central themes.
The Summit concluded its plenary sessions with Brad Kearns (CEO – Find A Carer), in a powerful session: “From What Good Looks Like to Making It Stick”
His message focused on embedding standards into everyday practice, ensuring that improvements are not temporary, but sustained over time.
Summit Highlights & What’s Next
Missed a session or want to revisit the experience?
- Watch the Summit Highlights
We’re also excited to announce that the On-Demand Hub will be launching soon, giving you access to all sessions and insights (including access to certain presentation documents) from the Summit, at anytime.
Looking Ahead: Rethinking Safety, Together
As the Summit came to a close, one message stood out:
Rethink what no longer serves you.
Reconnect people, data, and systems.
And take action to raise the standard of care.
Because the future of healthcare will not be defined by systems alone but by how we learn, adapt, and act on insight.
