Northern Health has officially launched its new Digital Coordination Centre (DCC), marking an important milestone in how we coordinate care, manage demand and support our teams across the health service.

Built around the principle of “one health service, one picture,” the DCC brings together real-time information from across Northern Health to provide a shared view of patient flow, capacity, demand and operational risks. By giving teams greater visibility of what is happening across the organisation, the DCC supports earlier decision-making, stronger collaboration and a more proactive approach to coordinating care.

“The Digital Coordination Centre is more than a technology solution. It is a commitment to working as one system, with one shared view, focused on delivering faster, safer care for our community,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, Northern Health.

Often described as the hospital’s “air traffic control centre”, the DCC provides a central view of hospital operations, helping teams respond to changing demand while keeping care moving safely and efficiently.

For staff, the DCC will provide:

• Greater visibility of demand and capacity across the organisation
• Earlier identification of emerging risks and operational pressures
• Better support for clinical and operational decision-making
• Improved coordination between teams and services
• A more connected and proactive way of working

Importantly, the DCC is designed to support collaboration and shared situational awareness. It is not about monitoring individual performance, but about equipping our people with better information to make informed decisions and deliver the best possible care.

“One of the biggest benefits of the Digital Coordination Centre is having key teams working side by side. Bringing together Hospital Coordinators, Bed Management, Mental Health, Patient Services Assistants and Patient Transport in one space allows us to have real-time conversations, solve problems faster and make decisions together. It helps us see the bigger picture and work as one team to support patient flow and deliver safe care,” said Sam Kandarapu, Hospital Coordinator, Northern Health.

For patients, the DCC will help create a more seamless healthcare experience through faster access to care, reduced waiting times, improved coordination between teams and clearer communication throughout their hospital journey.

The launch of the DCC represents another important step in Northern Health’s digital transformation, establishing the foundation for future innovation and enabling a shift from a reactive approach to a more connected, coordinated model of care.

“The Digital Coordination Centre is an important step forward for Northern Health. It lays the foundation for future innovation and supports a more connected and coordinated way of working across our health service,” said Laura Hughes, Director Clinical Operations and Performance, Northern Health.

Over the coming weeks, staff will have opportunities to learn more about the Digital Coordination Centre through information sessions, leadership communications and site-based engagement activities. We encourage everyone to get involved and discover how the DCC will support us in working together to deliver safer, more connected care.

Click here to learn more about the Digital Coordination Centre.