Services and support
Digital health program
Keeping our digital systems strong for a healthier community
AMSANT’s digital health team supports Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs) across the Northern Territory to use digital tools in ways that make care safer for Aboriginal people.
We support services to keep clinical information systems running well, help staff feel confident with Communicare and other digital tools, and make sure data is strong enough to tell the real story of community health. From troubleshooting and training through to forums and system advocacy, our focus is always on practical support that respects community control and local ways of working.
What we do
The digital health program provides both one-on-one and Northern Territory-wide support to enable services to get the best from their digital systems.
We work with services to:
- support the use of Communicare and other clinical information systems in day-to-day care
- help staff understand and use data for KPIs, funding reports and local planning
- keep people connected through secure, reliable links with NT Department of Health and other partners
- build confidence to use digital tools in a way that fits local workflows and community needs.
Our approach is hands-on, flexible and grounded in relationship—we listen first, then work together on solutions.
Why this program matters
Strong digital systems are now a core part of delivering good primary health care. When systems and data are working well:
- clinicians can see the right information at the right time
- communities are better represented in data and reporting
- services can plan ahead, respond to local needs and advocate for change.
The digital health program helps make sure technology supports—rather than gets in the way of—culturally safe, community controlled care. It reduces the stress on clinic staff, protects important health information and supports continuity of care when people move between services or hospitals.
Our focus areas
- Communicare support—helping services with everyday use of Communicare, including troubleshooting, new user set-up, simple configuration and workflow advice.
- Training and onboarding—introductory and refresher training for new and existing staff so they feel comfortable using Communicare and key digital tools in their role.
- Data quality and reporting—support to improve data quality and use data for Northern Territory AHKPIs, national KPIs and other reporting and population health needs.
- Digital health community of practice—keeping a Communicare and digital health community of practice alive through online catch-ups, shared resources and regular communication.
- Forums and events—coordinating the annual Communicare and digital health forum where services share tips, discuss system changes and learn together.
- Systems access and connectivity—assistance with access to digital health systems such as NT Department of Health connections, secure messaging and other key infrastructure.
- Web, intranet and cybersecurity support—support and advice about websites, intranets and basic cybersecurity and data protection practices for ACCHSs.
How we support member services
We work alongside member services, both remotely and face-to-face, to:
- provide phone, email, video and remote-login support for digital health issues
- offer Communicare and basic digital health training for new and existing staff
- help extract, check and interpret data for KPIs, reports and funding requirements
- assist with system configuration or small changes that improve local workflows
- share guides, tips and resources that services can adapt for their own staff
- bring digital health staff together through online meetings and the annual forum.
Where possible, we work as collaborators and mentors, building local skills so capacity stays in-house with the service.
Who we work with
The digital health team works closely with:
- ACCHSs and other AMSANT members across the NT
- health service staff who use Communicare and other clinical systems every day, including Aboriginal health practitioners, nurses, doctors, admin and managers
- AMSANT’s health systems, CQI and data teams to align digital tools with broader system and quality work
- external partners such as Telstra Health (Communicare vendor), NT Department of Health and the Department of Corporate and Digital Development on Territory-wide system changes and projects.
These relationships help keep member voices at the centre of digital health changes that affect our sector.
Our impact
Through the digital health program, AMSANT helps services to:
- spend less time struggling with systems and more time focused on care
- improve the quality and reliability of data used for planning, reporting and advocacy
- keep pace with changes to national and Northern Territory digital health initiatives without overwhelming frontline staff
- strengthen security and resilience of digital systems over time.
Over the long term, this supports safer, more connected care for Aboriginal people, and stronger evidence to back up the work of ACCHSs.
Current projects & initiatives
Communicare and digital health support
ongoing one-on-one and group support to help ACCHSs use Communicare confidently and keep systems running well.
Communicare and digital health forum
an annual gathering for digital health staff to share experiences, hear about system changes and workshop solutions together.
Data quality and KPI support
targeted work with services to strengthen the quality of data used for NT AHKPIs, national KPIs and other reporting.
Digital systems change support
supporting services to navigate changes like updates to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), MyMedicare and new secure messaging or connection services.
Cyber and data security awareness
growing awareness and practical strategies to keep systems and patient information safe, with more tailored information planned over time.
Resources & downloads
We’re happy to talk with you about what’s happening in your clinic or organisation, and work together to keep your digital systems strong, safe and supporting Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands.