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NSW Health has introduced a framework to govern the use and deployment of AI in the public health system of New South Wales, setting out a risk-based approval approach and establishing a new advisory service to assess proposed AI projects.
The AI framework, developed by a dedicated taskforce, "provides a consistent, risk-based approach to support the safe and responsible adoption of AI throughout NSW Health." It is based on national and state requirements, research evidence, expert advice, and consultation with key partners
It outlines principles, policies and practical actions needed to use AI safely across seven priority areas: consumers, workforce, privacy and security, governance and regulation, safety, ethics and quality, research and development, and industry.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
How can clinicians use this framework? The NSW Health AI Taskforce said it can help clinicians review existing and planned AI initiatives to ensure alignment with the framework and local governance arrangements, understand their obligations when using AI, and seek guidance through established support channels.
The AI Advisory Service was also launched to assist public health leaders and staff with AI assessment, regulatory compliance, and alignment with strategic priorities, including the commitment to environmental sustainability. It reviews and triages AI requests in consultation with relevant clinical and technical experts, and it can also advise on model design, data use, and governance. Moreover, the advisory service helps embed best practice assurance throughout the AI lifecycle.
The NSW Health AI Framework will be reviewed and updated regularly, given the "rapidly evolving AI landscape," the taskforce said.
WHY IT MATTERS
NSW Health stressed that the use of AI within the public state health system must comply with all relevant requirements, while any decision to approve its use must follow the advice from the eHealth NSW AI Advisory Service.
In February two years ago, amid the growing rollout of AI in healthcare, NSW Health assembled the AI taskforce, comprised of senior leaders and subject matter experts, to inform and guide the use of AI in the public health system.
"While AI presents great opportunities and benefits for patients and clinicians, it requires careful consideration and management of the potential risks around safety, ethics, privacy, security, and regulation," CIO Richard Taggart told Healthcare IT News. He is also the co-chair of the AI taskforce.
NSW Health has emphasised governance as key to ensuring AI-enabled tools enhance clinical decision-making, quality of care, and staff experience while managing the associated risks. While curious and open to AI, it insists on an adoption approach that is "grounded in transparency, accountability and trust."
Taggart, who is also chief executive of eHealth NSW, revealed to this publication that the digital health arm of NSW Health is now considering use cases for the implementation of AI tools across the NSW public health system to help enhance patient care, health outcomes, and workforce experience.
"The tools will be assessed based on their impact on clinical decision support, administrative functions, patient engagement, and clinical acceptance," he said.
THE LARGER CONTEXT
The release of the NSW Health AI Framework came after a state audit found NSW Health ineffective in managing cybersecurity risks to clinical systems used across the public health system.
The NSW Auditor-General's report released late last year noted that Local Health Districts have not met the minimum cybersecurity requirements of the state since 2019 and lack effective cybersecurity response, business continuity, and disaster recovery plans. It also found that eHealth NSW has not clearly defined or communicated cybersecurity roles nor ensured the consistent application of security tools across clinically important ICT assets.
