A regional NSW health care provider, that developed a wearable sensor to measure patients’ vital signs, has been named the overall champion in the nbn and Regional Australia Institute (RAI) 2023 Innovate with nbn Grant Program overnight.
Now in its fourth year, Innovate with nbn assists businesses and individuals in regional Australia to bring their cutting-edge ideas to life with more than $125,000 in grants awarded across the categories of: Health, Agriculture, Tourism, Arts, Education, Indigenous Business and Women in Business.
Armidale based Observa Care was named the winner of the Health category, as well as the overall champion, for its Remote Patient Monitoring service model, which founders Rod and Deborah Martin created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The wearable sensor utilises wireless technology to measure heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure, uploading the data to a cloud-based dashboard to allow clinicians to assess a patient’s health status in real time.
As a category winner Observa Care receive a $15,000 grant, and as overall winner a further $20,000, to continue its work developing and expanding its Remote Patient Monitoring service model.
Other category winners were:
The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is a founding partner of the Innovate with nbn Grants Program.
RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said there was again a high calibre of entries in this year’s nominations.
“The finalists and winners of this year’s awards showcase and reward the diverse, creative and groundbreaking work that is happening right across regional Australia,” Ms Ritchie said.
“These awards demonstrate with the right support and tools regional entrepreneurs can compete on a national and even global stage.
“The RAI and nbn have an enduring partnership based on advancing our shared objective to empower regions to thrive. The Innovate program does exactly that, by celebrating what can be achieved when harnessing the power of connectivity and digital technology.
“Thank you to nbn co for continuing invest in this important program.”
nbn Chief Development Officer Regional and Remote Gavin Williams said each year the ideas that are presented – some already developed, others needing added support – continues to improve.
“Our purpose is to lift the digital capability of Australia. All of the finalists and grant winners couldn’t do what they are doing without connectivity,” Mr Williams said.