New appointment takes analytics to the next level

Data driven decisions are critical to improving healthcare access and health outcomes. That’s why WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) have appointed Mr Bobby Patel as chief analytics officer to build our capability in this important field.

Creating this role was a key recommendation of a recent analytics futures review, conducted with input from one of Australia’s leading data analytics experts, Professor James Boyd, from La Trobe University.

Among other things, the review sought to help WAPHA take advantage of the additional functionality and capacity now available through the Primary Health Insights platform, which we lead on behalf of the national PHN network.

Mr Patel said his goal was to drive the trusted use of data to help WAPHA achieve its mission to shape, strengthen and sustain primary health care.

“My key priorities will be to build analytics and advanced capability and capacity in the use of data and data visualisation, as well as develop and implement an information management strategy.

“I look forward to working with the team at WAPHA and finding fun and purpose in our work.”

Acting CEO Rob Salvage said the new role will be crucial in driving data driven decisions and continuous improvement across primary care to improve health care and outcomes.

“We are delighted to have someone of Bobby’s caliber on board, as we look to take our analytics to the next level, both in terms of our internal capability but also our national leadership role in Primary Health Insights.”

“This appointment will complement our overall strengthened focus on digital strategy and technology enablement led by our Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Giles Nunis and his team.”

Mr Patel joins WAPHA from HBF where he headed up its data and analytics transformation function.