The Sparked Podcast

Guests from CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre have plenty of ideas. They discuss how FHIR is enabling research and will play a key role in future science. Think internationally accessible health records for a globally transient population and an evolved healthcare system fit for the modern world. The experts also delve into a hot topic – artificial intelligence and how FHIR can ignite innovation.This episode features David Hansen, CEO and Research Director of CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC), Kate Ebrill, Interoperability Lead at CSIRO’s AEHRC and National Lead at Sparked FHIR Accelerator, and Mark Braunstein, Visiting Scientist at CSIRO’s AEHRC. 

Key members of the Sparked community explain what’s involved in being part of the community, why Connectathon events are key to the success of Sparked, and how the standards development process works. What comes next in the development of standards? Listen in to find out. This episode features Danielle Tavares-Rixon, CSIRO’s FHIR Lead for Sparked, Reuben Daniels, Board Director and Deputy FHIR Product Director of the HL7 Australia standards development organisation, and Cath Koetz, Director of Standards Adoption at the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Sparked is gaining huge momentum in industry and Brett is joined by interoperability experts to find out why. The guests provide an industry perspective on the challenges and benefits of implementing an accelerator and adopting standards.This episode features Elizabeth Koff, Managing Director of Telstra Health, Danielle Bancroft, Chief Product Officer at Best Practice Software, Non-Executive Director at Halo Connect and Co-Chair at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and Kaye Hocking, Chief Product Officer at Alcidian.

This episode explores how increasing the adoption of health standards in Australia will improve patient outcomes. Experienced clinicians join Brett to discuss how improving interoperability benefits both patients and clinicians. They share their personal experiences with the Sparked program and give their perspective on how clinicians can add fuel to the Sparked fire.This episode features Dr Chris Moy, GP and ex Vice-President of the Australian Medical Association, and Dr Rob Hosking, general practitioner and obstetrician.

The one and only ‘father of FHIR’, Graham Grieve, lights up Episode 2 of the Sparked podcast. He breaks down what makes FHIR unique amidst the range of global standards. Brett is also joined by the Australian Digital Health Agency’s Peter O’Halloran. They explore how the Sparked FHIR accelerator is blazing a trail in the international standards landscape and helping to position Australia as a global leader.This episode features Grahame Grieve, HL7 Australia’s FHIR Product Director, and Peter O’Halloran, Chief Digital Officer of the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Two years on—what has Sparked achieved and where to from here? In this forward-looking finale, senior leaders reflect on the program’s success, how it aligns with national strategies like the Digital Health Blueprint, and what implementation means for systems, workforce, and the future of healthcare in Australia.Guests: Simon Cleverly, Amanda Cattermole, David Hansen, David Rowlands

How do we bring aged care into the digital health ecosystem? Our guests discuss the specific challenges of the sector—from legacy systems to data gaps—and why alignment with broader healthcare standards is critical. Hear about real-world implementation, upcoming reforms, and how Sparked is helping aged care take the next step forward.Guests: Annette Schmiede, Sarah Evans, Dr Adrian Gilliland

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, yet digital systems haven’t always worked for them. In this episode, we hear how Sparked is helping the nursing workforce shape national standards that reflect real clinical needs. From SNOMED terminology to startup innovation, this is a conversation about equity, influence, and the future of nursing.Guests: Janette Gogler, Zara Lord, Karen Booth