Healthcare Infrastructure in Transition: A Morning of Insight, Connection and Collaboration

On Thursday, 17 September, 56 healthcare and infrastructure professionals gathered at the 1864 Presidents Lounge at Carlton Football Club for the IHEA Vic/Tas Branch Breakfast and Panel Discussion, Healthcare Infrastructure in Transition: Challenges, Priorities and the Path Ahead.

Proudly hosted by Building Services Recruitment Australia (BSRA) and Programmed, the event brought together representatives from Western Health, the Victorian Department of Health, VIDA and the broader healthcare, property and infrastructure sectors.

The morning provided a valuable opportunity for IHEA members, prospective members and industry colleagues to connect, exchange ideas and explore the significant challenges and opportunities shaping Victoria’s healthcare infrastructure.

A diverse and experienced panel

The discussion featured an accomplished panel of industry leaders:

• Jacqui McFarlane, Director of Engineering, Health Support Services, Western Health

• Stuart Smith, Divisional Director, Health Support Services, Western Health

• Lisa Antonio, Executive Director, Technical Design, Assurance and Planning Services, VIDA

• Rebecca Bailey, Manager, Asset Support – Statewide Public Health Asset and Infrastructure Portfolio, Victorian Department of Health

• James Shields, General Manager, Growth, The Ascott Limited

The inclusion of a representative from the accommodation and property sector added another valuable dimension to the conversation. James shared perspectives from outside healthcare, highlighting opportunities to learn from other industries in areas including customer experience, service delivery, artificial intelligence, asset management and operational efficiency.

Exploring the sector’s most pressing challenges

Facilitated by Don Tulley and Wayne Corbett, the panel explored five key themes affecting healthcare infrastructure:

• Balancing investment in new facilities with the needs of ageing infrastructure

• Attracting and retaining engineers, facilities managers, project managers and technical trades

• The practical application of AI, digital twins, analytics and predictive maintenance

• Meeting sustainability ambitions while maintaining reliability and resilience

• Preparing healthcare facilities for the needs of 2035 and beyond

The discussion considered how health services can balance immediate operational pressures with long-term investment, manage infrastructure risk and ensure facilities remain safe, resilient and responsive to changing models of care.

Technology was another important focus, with panellists and attendees considering where AI and smart-building solutions are already delivering genuine value—and how these tools may transform healthcare facilities management over the next decade.

An open and engaging conversation

A particular strength of the session was its interactive format. Attendees were encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives, creating a practical conversation between the panel and the room.

The diversity of those present generated thoughtful discussion about the pressures facing the sector, as well as opportunities for greater collaboration, innovation and knowledge-sharing.

Feedback from attendees was extremely positive, with many commenting on the quality and relevance of the discussion. Perhaps the best measure of the event’s success was the consistent view that the conversation could easily have continued for another hour.

Supporting the Western Health Foundation

In lieu of physical gifts for the guest panellists, BSRA and Programmed jointly donated $250 to the Western Health Foundation—a generous gesture that connected the event directly with the healthcare community it sought to support.

With thanks

IHEA extends its sincere thanks to BSRA and Programmed for their initiative, sponsorship and support.

Special thanks go to Don Tulley and Wayne Corbett for expertly facilitating the morning and ensuring the discussion remained practical, interactive and engaging.

Most importantly, thank you to our panellists and everyone who attended, contributed and helped create such a warm and worthwhile morning.

Events such as this demonstrate the value of bringing together leaders and practitioners from healthcare, government, industry and related sectors to share experience, challenge current thinking and explore practical responses to a rapidly changing healthcare infrastructure environment.

The IHEA Vic/Tas Branch looks forward to continuing these important conversations at future events.