March 2023

Welcome to the first edition of the 2023 On the Horizon newsletter from the Workforce Policy and Development Unit (WPD). On the Horizon provides a snapshot of the key trends and developments that have the potential to shape and impact our future workforce, workplace and ways of working.

On the Horizon is part of the Focus on the Future Workforce Initiative, which aims to support the health system to ensure a resilient and digitally enabled workforce that can adapt to the changes in the system caused by technology and other disruptions. By focusing on not just the now, but also the future, NSW Health can ensure that we meet the needs of the community now and into the future.

Please note that the opinions shared in On the Horizon are those of the respective authors, and may not reflect the views of WPD Unit or NSW Health.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this edition may contain images of people who have passed away.

So far, 2023 has been a year of reflection and new beginnings for the Focus on the Future team. In the new year, we have had time to reflect on the ever-changing nature of the future of work and how our work might adapt to better support our system through times of disruption. We are continually learning, growing and evolving in this space, and so too is our work.

And so, I would like to welcome you to the first edition of the new and refreshed On the Horizon newsletter. Inside, the Focus on the Future team explores some of the leading future of work trends that are occupying our minds: from Big Tech and artificial intelligence in healthcare, to the skills landscape of the future.

As you sift through these future trends, I invite you to use the questions provided as an opportunity to reflect deeply on what these signals could mean for our people, and to trigger provocative thinking around how NSW Health can adapt to the disruptions on the horizon.

- Tamara Lee

Director, Workforce Policy and Development

Without cracking a single textbook or spending a day in medical school, the artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT correctly answered enough practice questions to pass the real US medical licensing exam. ChatGPT has generated so much buzz that doctors and scientists are trying to determine what its limitations are, and what it could do for health and medicine.

ChatGPT is among a rising number of AI developments that have sparked a broader discussion around AI in healthcare and its potential to enhance medical practice and empower health professionals to provide more informed and human-centred care.

Read more on this trend:

How might current healthcare roles evolve with the application of AI? How might that enable us to establish new models of care that can adapt to future disruptions?

Staff wellbeing has become a growing priority for organisations, 'with almost half of workers prepared to move to a new organisation to improve their wellbeing'.

In its Mental Health and the Workplace report, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) argues that poor mental health is a cost to individuals, the community and the economy: 'The evidence shows that workplaces that invest in staff mental health have increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and more engaged staff.' This report aims to shift the conversation around mental health in the workplace to focus on the foundational elements of a mentally healthy workplace, including good job design, a supportive organisational and leadership culture, and strong management capability.

Read more on this trend:

How might future disruptions impact the mental health and wellbeing of our staff? What can we do now to cultivate a positive work environment that supports and responds to the needs of a thriving future workforce?

While Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen to levels not seen in close to 50 years, demand for labour has surged which has led to an increase in skills shortages.

The National Skills Commission (NSC) reports that health professionals were among the most common professional occupations that were assessed as in shortage in 2022, and that international research suggests there are widespread skills shortages in the health sector around the world. NSC's report examines Australia's current, emerging and future workforce skills needs and examines the megatrends - including climate change, the escalating health imperative, and a rapidly growing digital environment - that will shape our future workforce and skills needs. 

Read more on this trend:

How might we reimagine our health workforce to ensure they are equipped to respond to future challenges and patient needs?

Driven by consumer demands for fast, accessible and digitally-enabled healthcare services, tech and retail giants have shown increasing interest and advancement in the healthcare sector internationally in the past decade. However, last year presented a new chapter: a number of major non-healthcare players decided to step in as primary care providers in the US.

While it's not likely that big tech companies will take over the healthcare sector, their focus on disruption, customer service and digitisation could potentially impact the future healthcare landscape. In addition, the introduction of Big Tech in healthcare may increase competing deman on the health workforce.  

Read more on this trend:

What could we learn from the business models of Big Tech companies to create an innovative, adaptive and consumer-focused health system in NSW?

Future Health is a podcast about the way we work and how technology will influence the future of NSW Health. 

This month, we're putting the spotlight on our conversation with Cynthia Mahoney. Cynthia is a facilitator, coach, mentor, speaker and author with a passion for personal disruption, positive psychology, high performance and wellbeing. In this episode, Cynthia discusses how teams and leaders can help cultivate high performing environments and learnings from the pandemic that we can take into the future to support the future of leadership.

Listen to our conversation with Cynthia Mahoney and other episodes here.

The Future Health Podcast is a creation of NSW Health. All episodes are also available to watch on the NSW Health YouTube Channel.

For more info on NSW Health visit: health.nsw.gov.au.

Are you interested in creating a community of future thinkers?

In the coming months, the Focus on the Future team will be hosting a series of Futures Musters.

Through face-to-face collaborative workshops, the Futures Musters will bring together curious thinkers and emerging leaders from across NSW Health to foster innovation conversations around the future of work and health service delivery. Futures Muster participants will:

Futures Musters are confirmed for the following dates:

If you'd like to get involved, please register your interest by COB 24 March. Please note that places are limited, so while we cannot guarantee everyone a spot, you may be placed on a waitlist for to attend a Futures Muster at a later date.

While every effort is taken to validate the currency and accuracy of the content presented in the newsletter, NSW Health does not make any representations and  warranties with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained herein. The content is represented as information only and readers should undertake their own research and enquires with respect to the specific details and information contained in this newsletter.

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