Tamra Bridges is a recognised leader in the transformational delivery of health and support programs in regional and remote areas, with extensive experience across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Tamra has led residential aged care and community care services, including the development of innovative models of care.
Tamra has vast expertise in clinical service delivery, strategic planning, community engagement, service development, executive leadership, and management. As a registered nurse, Tamra holds Master’s level qualifications in Mental Health, Psychotherapy, an Executive MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
At Silverchain, Tamra is the Executive Director, Research & Innovation, East Coast Health and Community Impact and Inclusion. Tamra is passionate about social impact and a holistic understanding of health to drive exceptional outcomes.
From admin to action: Trialling AI in direct care for older Australians
Precis
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily making its mark in aged care—mostly behind the scenes. From automating rostering and streamlining documentation to improving reporting workflows, AI continues to prove its value in administrative and backend functions. But the next leap is far more personal: using AI to support direct care, including clinical decision-making and care for older people.
This presentation explores the shift from operational efficiency to frontline impact, as aged care providers begin trialling AI tools in the delivery of care itself. Whether it’s progress note summations, wound care education, or conversational AI to agree a schedule with clients the potential is enormous—but so are the challenges.
Drawing on Silverchain’s experience, we’ll unpack the barriers and enablers of conceptualising, trialling, and embedding AI in direct care based on our experience to date in the Silverchain Research and Innovation division. We have also learnt that sometimes, even the most promising ideas don’t work out—because technology alone can’t solve complex human needs -both our clients and our workforce.
We’ll share lessons learned from pilots that succeeded, and those that didn’t quite hit the mark, and reflect on what it takes to move from innovation to implementation. Importantly, we’ll discuss how to ensure AI enhances—not replaces—the human touch in aged care, and how to keep older people’s preferences, dignity, and safety at the centre of every trial.
Join us to explore how aged care can responsibly harness AI to support older Australians—not just behind the scenes, but in the moments that matter most.