Speaker - Professor Rhonda Wilson & Oliver Higgins

Peter Clarke • Apr 22, 2023

There is huge potential for technology to meld with cultural methods to help with mental health outcomes.

This week was an outstanding step into the world of medical research with Professor Rhonda Wilson and Oliver Higgins. The team at Newcastle University are developing technology that will allow a non touch environment for mental health specialists to assess a patient.

With the Technology providing information on heart rate, movement, temperature. As well as being able to give prompts via smell, sounds and visuals. The kit comes with sensory toys, such as sensor sheep, rainbow pillows, blankets and cushions all fitted with sensors providing feedback to the Analysis App being developed right here in Gosford.

Green Ants have been a part of aboriginal culture for generations as being able to sooth the mind and bring calmness. Well the team are ground breaking with the use Genome technology available at CCRI to identify the make up of the green ants and narrow down the active ingredients that will make an impact. This will incorporate a very effective tool for specialists to apply with the technology in finding better outcomes for mental health patients.

The other advantage to this technology is it can be run remotely, reaching out to our furthest outposts. Either as a stand alone Program or via the internet in centres where its available.

The sensory units are all compartmentalised so the specialist can pick and choose the types of information and prompts they need. With each component prototyped right at here in Gosford using the latest in 3D Printing technology.

Read More in Issue 1 of SensoAbility - The Digital Health Sensory Solutions Newsletter

Richard Waterhouse introducing Prof Rhonda Wilson and Oliver Higgins
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Prof. Rhonda Wilson introducing the way technology is going to play a part in the way we treat mental health,
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Oliver Higgins explaining how each of the modules intergrate to give an overall analysis of a patients well being via sight, smells, sounds and sensors
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some of the sensory objects and visuals used.
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Member Monique Cardon getting up close to Sensa Sheep, with data being collected and fed back live to the Analysis App.

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How good was the breakfast !
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Fresh Pastries, eggs and bacon from our host Chef Daniel.
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Thanks Chef Daniel for welcoming us into Baker St.
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Professor Rhonda Wilson & Oliver Higgins, thankyou from President Peter Clarke and Member the Hon. Robyn Parker.
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Professor Rhonda Wilson

is an internationally renowned mental health nursing scientist with over 35 years of experience in clinical nursing, research, and academia. She holds a PhD from the University of New England and is a registered nurse and credentialed mental health nurse in Australia. Currently, she serves as Professor of Mental Health Nursing at the University of Newcastle, where she leads the largest Master of Mental Health Nursing program in Australia and supervises 12 PhD students in her innovative digital mental health nursing laboratory. Professor Wilson is a prolific author and has published extensively in international journals, books, and conferences, with a track record of leading national and international mental health mixed methods research programs. As a Wiradjuri descendent, she is a passionate advocate for cultural safety and decolonisation and has been involved in humanitarian efforts, including partnering with Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service for Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Professor Wilson is a proud mother of four and a grandmother of four.

Oliver Higgins

is a highly-experienced mental health nursing scientist and computing scientist who specialises in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Mental Health field, particularly in Emergency Department presentations an advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things. Currently, Oliver is the Manager of Population, Data & Outcome Measures in Mental Health for Central Coast Local Health District and a PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle. Since 2003, Oliver has been working in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles in the health sector in Australia.

Baker St Restaurant

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Laugh Your Way to bring Hope to the World: Rotary Presents Comedy for a Cause with Peter Berner!

By Peter Clarke • 27 Jan, 2024

Get ready to chuckle, chortle, and maybe even snort a little, because the comedy event of the year is about to land on the Central Coast! On the 1st of March, 2024, at 7pm, the Park View Room at the Central Coast Leagues Club will be echoing with laughter, all for a great cause. And who better to lead this laughter riot than the maestro of mirth, the sultan of satire, the one and only Peter Berner!