Tech4SickKids links WA tech & child health sectors

WAITTA and Perth Children's Hospital Foundation have launched Tech4SickKids, a partnership linking Western Australia's technology and healthcare sectors around child health.

The initiative expands a long-running fundraising relationship between the two organisations. Over 17 years, Western Australia's technology community has raised more than $880,000 for Perth Children's Hospital Foundation through the annual putt4dough charity golf day. The new programme is intended to help push that total towards $1 million.

Tech4SickKids is designed to bring together industry, government, academia, clinicians and innovators. Its aims include promoting the role of technology, artificial intelligence, innovation and research in child health, encouraging collaboration on healthcare challenges, and raising funds and awareness for children receiving care at Perth Children's Hospital.

The launch brought together representatives from healthcare, technology, research, government and business. Speakers and panellists included Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Stephen Dawson, Adjunct Professor Anita Ghose of WAITTA, Carrick Robinson of Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg of Perth Children's Hospital, Dr Marcus Tan, Dr Parshotam Gera and Pip Brennan of Health Consumers' Council WA.

Fundraising base

For WAITTA, the programme formalises a charitable focus that has developed over nearly two decades. The organisation, which has operated in Western Australia's technology sector for 35 years, has centred much of its support for the foundation on putt4dough, an annual golf fundraiser backed by the local technology community.

By adding a broader partnership structure, WAITTA is seeking to move beyond a single annual event and create a more regular forum linking health and technology organisations. Ticket proceeds from the launch event were to be donated in full to Perth Children's Hospital Foundation.

Adjunct Professor Anita Ghose outlined the rationale for the new structure at the launch.

"Tech4SickKids brings together our technology, healthcare, government, business and research communities around a shared purpose - improving the lives of sick children and their families. By creating stronger connections and encouraging collaboration, we can unlock new possibilities and help shape the future of children's healthcare," said Anita Ghose, WAITTA Board Director.

Cross-sector focus

The partnership reflects a broader push to connect digital tools and clinical practice in paediatric care. Organisers said the programme would create opportunities for participants from different sectors to exchange ideas and explore practical responses to challenges in children's health services.

That cross-sector model is central to the initiative. Rather than focusing only on fundraising, the partnership also aims to create a platform where researchers, clinicians, government agencies and technology businesses can work more closely on child health needs in Western Australia.

Carrick Robinson said the foundation sees technology as an increasingly important part of treatment and support for children and families.

"Every breakthrough in technology has the potential to improve a child's healthcare journey. Through Tech4SickKids, we're creating opportunities for experts across multiple sectors to share knowledge, collaborate and accelerate innovation that can make a real difference for WA children and families," Robinson said.

Broader context

Perth Children's Hospital Foundation raises money to support the hospital and child health services in Western Australia. By partnering with WAITTA, the foundation gains a more direct link to the state's technology sector at a time when hospitals and health services are under pressure to improve care pathways, patient experience and clinical decision-making.

For the technology sector, the partnership offers a way to connect commercial, research and community interests around a social purpose. The launch was backed by NAB Health and supported by NRI Australia & New Zealand, which helped convene participants from across the state's innovation and healthcare networks.

WAITTA has long positioned itself as a convening body for Western Australia's innovation community, with work spanning talent development, STEM education and industry advocacy. Tech4SickKids adds a structured child health initiative to that portfolio, tying fundraising to a broader ambition to encourage collaboration between technical and clinical communities.

An immediate measure of success will be whether the partnership can help lift total fundraising beyond $1 million. Its longer-term significance will depend on whether it can sustain engagement across sectors and turn those connections into practical support for children and families linked to Perth Children's Hospital.