Silverchain showcased its digital health care capabilities at the Parliamentary Friends of Nursing and Midwives showcase in Canberra, demonstrating how its use of smart glasses empowers nurses to detect signs of health decline, potentially saving lives.
Silverchain is driving a digital health care shift as Australia’s first home care provider to introduce smart glasses at scale. This high-tech wearable device features built-in cameras that securely stream live video to a panel of specialists, enabling nurses to deliver real-time consultations and make decisions about health care without clients needing to leave their homes.
Silverchain’s Executive Director of Research & Innovation, Tamra Bridges said presenting this technology to policymakers underscores the urgent need to shift more care powered by new and emerging technology into the home.
“The future of care is in the home, and Silverchain is at the forefront of care innovation. Smart glasses enhance the care experience for our clients while improving access to essential health and aged care services,” Ms Bridges said.
“By deploying smart glasses at scale, we are turning technological advancements into real progress. Our experience shows that when nurses are supported to work to their full extent of their education and professional capability, care becomes more accessible, more efficient, and sustainable.”
The adoption of smart glasses at Silverchain is proving to be a gamechanger across multiple nursing specialties including palliative care, hospital in the home, aged care, clinical support and supervision, medication management and specialist wound care.
Silverchain’s Clinical Nurse Manager Katie Wrightson-Rowton, who is demonstrating the glasses at Parliament House, said with Australia’s care system facing unprecedented capacity constraints, smart glasses act as a critical safety valve.
“When an Assistants in Nurses notice signs of clinical deterioration, they can immediately loop another Silverchain expert to intercept risks before they escalate,” Ms Wrightson-Rowton said.
Silverchain’s adoption of smart glasses has been made possible through the generosity of donors to Silverchain Foundation, highlighting the vital role of community-backed innovation in transforming care delivery in the home.
Silverchain is actively leading the sector in redefining workforce optimisation, advocating for modern frameworks that allow nurses to safely maximise their clinical scope. To learn more about our commitment to workforce capability, read our latest position paper ‘Empowering Nurses to meet Australia’s care needs.’
Pictured from left: Federal Minister for Aged Care, Sam Rae, General Manager, Care Partnering, Cassandra Tobin, Clinical Nurse Manager, Katie Wrightson-Rowton, Clinical Nurse Manager, Clare Warren.
