About Us

Developing tomorrow’s techniques today is driving the pace of research in physics, engineering and other sciences for better healthcare technology. As computer powered medical equipment becomes smaller, faster and smarter, innovative medical technology will make medical practice more effective for patients and more economical for the healthcare system.

Our aim is to share the knowledge, understanding and access of these technological advances to the profession and the community. It's to maximise the potential of new technologies and provide better treatment and diagnostic outcomes for as many people throughout our region as possible.

The Better Healthcare Technology Foundation aims to engage and connect the general public with health professionals and medical experts through this website and our community initiatives.

We support all medical innovation initiatives utilising new technology that lead to higher quality health care for patients, with less complications and better cure outcomes.

Our stakeholders in undertaking this work include our project partners, industry bodies, professional associations, health technology vendors, hospital departments (here and overseas), patients, donors and volunteers.

Our website was developed by Dr Lyn Oliver AM PhD MSc FACPSEM FAIP.

Website editorial and advisory staff include A/Professor Joerg Lehmann, Dr Jack Jellins and Ms Anna Ralston..

The Better Healthcare Technology Foundation Board overseas the work of the Foundation, meeting every 2 months. It is composed of current or retired leaders in the fields of medical physics in ANZ and receives governance and administrative support from the Australasian College of Physical Sciences and Engineering in Medicine (ACPSEM).

The Foundation’s initiatives are focused on the application of physics, engineering and associated sciences for hospital patient care in two separate regions : 1) Australia and New Zealand; and 2) the Asia-Pacific. 

In Australia and New Zealand, the Foundation supports innovative technology projects and activities that benefit the patient experience - from supporting the adoption of new diagnostic or therapeutic practices in hospitals or treatment clinics, through to promoting and supporting specific research and development projects.  It undertakes advocacy work, project coordination, patient communications initiatives and professional collaboration activity via this website and in partnership with industry and academia.

In the Asia-Pacific the Foundation supports clinical departments in Asia-Pacific (A-Pac) hospitals who have received  modern or updated medical equipment and need expert assistance to support their local hospital staff.  It undertakes this work through the Asia-Pacific Special Interest Group (APSIG).  The APSIG scheme provides voluntary Australian and New Zealand imaging or radiation oncology medical physics experts to visit these hospitals during the initial installation period to help install and set up equipment and train local radiotherapy staff.

You can read more about APSIG and its work here .

We seek collaborative arrangements between researchers and providers to work on innovative projects that promote 'tomorrows healthcare techniques today'.  We encourage and support open outward and forward thinking in all areas of engineering, sciences and physics-based applications in medicine.

We support projects that lead to higher quality healthcare, with less complications and better cure outcomes for patients.

We aim to have sufficient funding and administration support to undertake our Foundation activities with diversified income streams. The sustainability of our impact will be regularly assessed from project appraisals and performance reviews.

Chosen projects will facilitate real and measurable benefit (access, safety and quality of healthcare) to organisations and patients in Australia/New Zealand and Asia-Pacific.

We will build and maintain a high profile within our areas of operation by developing active, strong and strategic links with other key groups.

We aim to acknowledge and reward achievements of excellence in innovations utilising physics, engineering and sciences in medicine and support projects that match our values and mission.

We will work with partners to improve patient awareness and familiarity of available technology that can Borden healthcare access and deliver higher quality of patient care.

We aim to increase Government awareness of the value of working with the Foundation by having ready PESM expertise available to support projects and initiatives that improve quality and safety in healthcare.

The Foundation will establish and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with partners to help assure on-going funding, including:

1. Commercial sponsors;
2. ACPSEM member contributions;
3. Vendors and health technology organisations; and
4. Patient advocacy groups across Australia and New Zealand.

The Foundation will be promoted in a manner that stakeholders shall view as a worthy cause and sufficiently attractive to be an active supporter and member. Actions to ensure that this will be achieved would include building:

• greater collaboration with medical colleges and other allied health bodies and hospital departments, local and international;
• a well developed network to identify and support volunteers;
• hospital staff support for training in the newest technologies, protocols and skills;
• an efficient information pipeline to donors and volunteers with progress of projects and other activities; and
• an easy means of access to engage and communicate with the public and stakeholders.