The Challenge
Clinical challenges are often complex and difficult to recreate in a traditional space. Often ideas can’t easily be explored or tested early enough. Learnings often come late in development or after user testing when the cost of change is high.
NSW Health wanted to change this by creating a dedicated space where clinicians and system experts could collaborate. A safe place to incubate ideas, experiment and test a range of solutions. This would provide early insights into the design and efficacy of solutions. Saving time and money when developing complex solutions for today’s health challenges.
The Tour
The HPC allows ideas and concepts to be tested before they are built, such as the recreation of a range of clinical spaces or the testing of a web interface. By identifying what works and what might not work before the solution is developed, it prevents the need for costly changes later down the track.
Ever wondered what it looks like inside? Take a look at our virtual tour video of the HPC.
The Plan
eHealth NSW, HealthShare NSW, Health Infrastructure NSW and NSW Health Pathology partnered to form the Health Prototyping Centre. The centre provides a warehouse space that is highly configurable to a range of clinical scenarios. It also has a team of technical and design experts to help the projects. This supports organisations to work together to develop solutions to meet their varying needs.
The centre accommodates the setup and evaluation of a range of clinical machines. These include handheld scanners and large robotic and automated pathology machines. It also supports the planning of a new ward - from the physical space, systems and hardware to workflows and medical equipment.
The Outcome
Opened in August 2022, the Macquarie Park based Health Prototyping Centre includes:
- A built-for-purpose, dedicated facility of over 1000 square meters to support rapid prototyping and simulation-based testing
- A team of technical and design experts on hand to support rapid prototyping
- A range of clinical simulation suites and equipment replicating common pathology, acute care and home care settings
- A large flexible space for the temporary installation of new clinical environments and large equipment which can be repurposed as required
- Design development spaces and office accommodation
- Tooling and technology to enable the development of prototypes of varying levels of fidelity
- A replication of the NSW Health technology stack to support integration and functional testing.
Several projects have been able to use the space to explore a range of solutions. These include:
- An evaluation of alternatives to single use plastics, such as cups, cutlery, and plates during meal services across NSW Health
- The development of a chatbot for drug and alcohol services
- Defining new workflows for the delivery of meals to COVID-19 wards
- Re-designing an essential source of information for health facility room builds.
Data correct as of October 2023
The Benefits
- End-user involvement - Clinicians and patients can test and inform the design of new facilities, products, services and models of care in a safe and realistic environment.
- Integrated cross-organisational prototyping and simulation provides a holistic method of problem-solving.
- Rapid and flexible testing allows NSW Health facilities, products and services to stay clinically relevant.
- Statewide facility - district and facility agnostic to ensure scalability for solutions.
Case Studies
The HPC was used to explore augmented reality (AR) technology to enable practicing pathology from a distance.
The HPC was used to rapidly prototype and configure the Pathology Lab in Blacktown Hospital.
The HPC was used to prototype/redesign room data sheets, a key document in health facility infrastructure projects.
The HPC was used to rapidly prototype and design a drug and alcohol information chatbot for Your Room.
The HPC is testing curtain rails designed to eliminate the risk of staff falling and suffering serious injury.