Future Health

If you could redesign your organisation from scratch for the future, what would you keep, what would you let go of and what role would leadership play? In this episode of the Future Health Podcast, we are joined by David Schmidtchen, Professor of Practice in Public Sector Management at UNSW Canberra, to explore the future of organisational culture and leadership in an era of complexity, uncertaint...

From Space to Plate: Rethinking Nutrition, Sustainability and the Future of Food. When we think about the future of food, space nutrition and mushrooms are rarely the first things that come to mind. But what if space could teach us how to eat better on Earth? In this episode of the Future Health Podcast, we are joined by Dr Flávia Fayet Moore, scientist, space nutritionist and entrepreneur to expl...

Are you ready for the "decade of disorientation"?   As technology redefines the boundaries of healthcare, the ability to unlearn the old is becoming as vital as mastering the new.  In this episode, we are joined by Dr Kai Riemer, Professor of Information Technology and Co-Director of Sydney Executive Plus at the University of Sydney Business School. As a leading voice on the intersection of techno...

What if the greatest barrier to a healthier world isn't a lack of technology, but a potential lack of imagination?  In this episode of Future Health, we sit down with the remarkable Claire Marshall – Leader of Futures Initiatives, founder of If Labs, and a pioneer in the field of "narrative foresight."   Claire has spent her career at the intersection of storytelling and systemic cha...

What happens when human intuition collides with machine intelligence? In this thought-provoking episode of the Future Health Podcast, Professor Ganna Pogrebna and Dr Graham Kenny unpack the secrets of successful AI strategy and behavioural science in healthcare. From human–machine teaming to the privacy paradox, they explore practical steps for using AI to solve real-world problems, why decentrali...

How we approach the end of life is one of the most significant health challenges of our time. As life expectancy in Australia is projected to reach over 87 years by 2050, the conversation around 'dying well' has never been more urgent for healthcare professionals and the communities they serve.  In this episode of the Future Health Podcast, we are joined by Dr Shoshana Ungerleider – intern...

In an era of rapid technological shift and clinical complexity, the instinct of many health professionals may be to retreat into the safety of absolute certainty.  However, award-winning author and social critic Maggie Jackson argues that this "certainty-centricity" is not only costly but may be the very thing holding us back.  In this episode of Future Health Podcast, we sit down with M...

Welcome to a new season of Future Health Podcast, where we consolidate the boldest ideas from the global stage to prepare our health system for 2026 and beyond. This season, we are joined by an extraordinary lineup of international visionaries and local innovators who took the stage at SXSW Sydney 2025. Together, we explore the "creative collisions" occurring at the intersection of techn...

We all know the benefits of a healthy diet, but we aren’t always that good at following the well evidenced advice. So are there new channels, partnerships and tools we could use to have a greater impact when key decisions are being made – whether that’s online or at the check-out? Are there evolving opportunities for the health and commercial sectors to come together and advocate for a healthier A...

If you work in the healthcare industry you are no stranger to change and some of the most significant change on the horizon is digital change. It’s expensive, it’s complex and often times its wins are invisible. While all transformation projects come up against barriers - are there ways to better prep ourselves for the inevitable friction? Are you a change champion or are you a change terrorist?  ...

Stephen Rutter is one of those people whose future direction is determined by the application of attributes he has honed from experience to solve entirely new problems. His pathway to being the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Technology has been anything but conventional. He has a knack for seeing connections, building relationships and making things happen. Stephen will share his a...

In today’s tech enabled world, are there fewer barriers to taking a great idea and making it a reality than ever before? Is “anything possible” for Generation Z? At just 20 something, Jesse Waller, the Co-Founder and CEO of InnerSteps has developed Australia's most awarded technology platform, an innovative mental health solution to address the critical gaps in early intervention support for c...

The future of health will depend on the collaboration of experts from science and engineering, law and business, the social sciences and the arts as well as medicine and health. Bringing together these diverse voices, Professor Michael Kidd AO is leading a multidisciplinary research team to generate the insights and facilitate the advocacy that will deliver a more equitable health system enabled b...

In a world where we can’t seem to agree on today’s facts, it’s sometimes hard to envisage moving together towards a shared vision of the future. But, if creating a vibrant future for all in Australia involves radical new approaches to aged care, housing, education and of course healthcare, what’s stopping us, as a society, from throwing out the rule book and setting a new agenda for the future and...

When you’re already at the cutting edge how do you know when to push even further? What is the interplay between creativity and evidence when lives are on the line? When your goal is changing the world, what’s important and what’s not?    You can also watch the podcast at the NSWHealth YouTube Channel .   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this contentare those of the author(s) and do...

The future will require us to solve for challenges that haven’t yet been imagined. To prepare for the unknowable we need to equip ourselves with the skills and tools to think about the future in a novel way. In a world increasingly more reliant on AI tools than human imagination, can we train ourselves to think about a future without being hamstrung by the past? And how does broadening our thinkin...

The Future Health Podcast features thought-provoking discussions with subject matter experts and thought leaders about current and emerging trends in healthcare and the future of work for the NSW Health workforce and beyond. This season on the Future Health Podcast, we shine a spotlight on How do we get to the future? driving progress and redefining the Australian healthcare landscape. Our host, D...

As we all get comfortable with a post-COVID world where virtual healthcare extends well beyond a telehealth consultation, we explore which models of care are next in line for innovation. We consider whether the community has the appetite for even more hybrid models of care and we consider the new and more flexible working options opening up for clinicians, when you can see your patient from anywhe...

In emergency departments, they can help divert non-critical cases, easing the burden on healthcare staff and reducing wait times. In the aftermath of disasters, they can offer mobile medical and counselling services to those in need, ensuring timely support without the need to divert workforce. And for vulnerable populations without access to personal devices or connectivity, they offer equitable...

Generation Z is characterised by their innate fluency in technology and a strong sense of social responsibility. They are already beginning to reshape the healthcare workforce with their digital acumen, creativity, and passion for efficiency. With a knack for leveraging social media, data analytics, and emerging technologies, Gen Z is likely to be a driving force in the adoption of new tools and m...

Recently named one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 and The Australian's Top 100 Innovators for 2024, Grace Brown from Andromeda is a trailblazer addressing loneliness and isolation in patients. In this episode we’ll explore the boundless possibilities of human-robot collaboration with change makers Grace Brown and Mani Thiru and their brainchild, Abi, the first Australian humanoid robot, designed t...

As our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the impact of these changes on human health is becoming increasingly evident. This episode delves into the complex relationship between climate change and healthcare, shedding light on the profound implications for healthcare professionals and patients alike. From preventive measures to treatment strategies, to public health interventions...

The Future Health Podcast features thought-provoking discussions with subject matter experts and thought leaders about current and emerging trends in healthcare and the future of work for the NSW Health workforce and beyond. This season on the Future Health Podcast, we shine a spotlight on the Change Makers driving progress and redefining the Australian healthcare landscape. Our host, Dr Louise Me...

It’s a stark reality, some of us are likely to be working well into our 70s. To run a work marathon and run it well, workers will have to stay physically and holistically well. So, what does the latest research tell us we need to start doing TODAY so we can “work well” right to the end of our careers? What adjustments does the system need to make NOW when it considers harnessing a workforce aged b...

Over a decade ago, a regional hospital, with a struggling emergency department, reliant on FIFO locums, with unfilled junior shifts and stretched nursing staff, took a gamble on a group of young consultants with a plan. When a “squad” of clinicians with a ready-made culture of trust, accountability and camaraderie came to town, they transformed the service in under two years and many of them have...