New national digital health agency appoints CEO

The newly formed Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has appointed its first CEO – Tim Kelsey.

A proponent for open data and transparency of government (and the author of a book on the subject), one of Kelsey’s key roles at the agency will be to revitalise the ailing My Health Record scheme.

Minister for Health, Sussan Ley said Kelsey would be focused on ‘engagement, innovation and clinical quality and safety’.

“He is internationally regarded as a leader in digital health, in both the private and public sectors, and has a proven track record in delivery of digital health services,” she said.

Kelsey was the first national director for patients and information for NHS England and the first chair of the National Information Board in England which successfully oversaw design of a new digital health strategy for the NHS. He previously designed and launched NHS Choices website – the UK’s national online health information service. He has been working as strategy and commercial director for Telstra Health since February.

Kelsey said it was “a great honour” to be appointed to the role.

“He is the right choice for the appointment as CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency to further the Australian Government’s commitment to use digital health to create a world-class health system for all Australians,” Minister Ley said.

The ADHA began operations last month and is responsible for ‘bringing the Australian health system into the digital century’.

Kelsey will start his new job in the coming weeks.