NSW Health is committed to achieving a 'fit-for-purpose' workforce for the future. The Focus on the Future Signature Project aims to support a resilient and digitally-enabled workforce that is prepared for the future of work.

Healthcare is evolving, and so are the needs and expectations of our communities, patients and workforce. Rapid advancements in technology and new ways of working are driving changes across the healthcare system. As the pace of these developments continue to escalate, our workforce needs to adapt to meet competing demands on healthcare services.

The NSW public health system of today plays an important role in helping to identify and co-design the workforce, skills, capabilities and technologies of the future. Advances in technology, ongoing investment in preventative health and innovative models of care present significant opportunities to build a stronger, more flexible, patient-centred health system in NSW. By focusing on the future of healthcare, we can continue to meet the current and future needs of the community.

The Focus on the Future Signature Project is a workforce and culture initiative that aims to:

  • connect innovative thinkers to strengthen NSW Health's response to the future of work and align our workforce, skills and capabilities with future demands and models of care
  • provide the platforms necessary to build a resilient and digitally-enabled workforce that can adapt to the significant changes impacting the NSW public health system
  • drive a culture of innovation and curious thinking to support future models of care, a responsive workforce, and improved care and consumer outcomes.

The Focus on the Future Signature Project is underpinned by five streams of work across two pillars:

  • workforce planning and training
    • horizons scanning for disruption
    • strategic workforce planning
    • digital capability and awareness
  • strengthening workforce culture and governance
    • pathways and governance for innovation
    • culture and leadership to support learning.

Diagram depicting the Focus on the Future project scope. Link to text alternative follows image.

Focus on the Future project scope - text alternative

Learn more about Focus on the Future initiatives:

Strategic Workforce Planning

Over the past decade, workforce planning in NSW Health has consisted of a complex set of layers that address different types of workforce approaches. Strategic workforce planning has typically taken a five-year view on forecasting and planning.

Like many industries, healthcare is in the currently midst of significant transformation. To achieve NSW Health's vision, we need to look beyond this five-year horizon and shape a workforce that can adapt to the future of work and respond to the future health needs of our community.

Pyramid diagram depicting different types of workforce planning in NSW Health. Link to text alternative follows image.

Types of workforce planning in NSW Health - text alternative

Current as at: Monday 24 October 2022
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development