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What is broadband?
Broadband refers to a high speed, always-on communications link. Broadband is designed to give users instant access to the Internet 24 hours a day. It can deliver a range of benefits for consumers, health care providers and the community at large by improving and supporting a range of clinical and administrative services.
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What is business grade broadband?
There are different levels of broadband, ranging from basic through to advanced services.
Basic broadband: basic, low speed, unpredictable performance services suitable for home use. It does support a range of services such as clinical messaging and online Medicare claiming, but it can be unreliable.
Business grade broadband: higher speed (512/256 connection), security features, professionally installed services suitable for business use. It supports clinical messaging, online Medicare claiming, online banking, clinical decision support, e-ordering/requests, secure email, HealthConnect e-health initiatives, online knowledge bases and secure online transactions.
Advanced broadband: high speed, secure, guaranteed performance packages to meet full communication needs. Supports all business grade services listed above, plus advanced technologies such as Voice over Internet, videoconferences and third party hosted services.
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What are the benefits of broadband?
- it is fast, generally 10-20 times faster than a dial-up connection, allowing you to complete tasks and transactions much faster
- it allows you to transfer large files of text or graphics at high speeds
- it provides fast access to the Web and online resources
- it is more cost effective than dial-up as it is always connected (reducing telephone dial-up costs) and multiple computers can be linked through the one connection
- increasingly, software applications rely on broadband for effective delivery.
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Why should I consider implementing broadband?
More and more health care providers are implementing broadband infrastructure to help improve their daily business processes.
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What are the Secure Broadband Grants?
HealthConnect SA is offering eligible South Australian general practices, specialists, pharmacies, residential aged care facilities and allied health care providers a Secure Broadband Grant to deliver one of the following three packages:
Package 1: Security Health Check ($500 grant) consists of a comprehensive security assessment and report to help providers identify the likely security risks their practices are exposed to, and to raise awareness of information security processes to maintain provider and consumer privacy.
Package 2: Software and Hardware Security ($1,500 grant) consists of Package 1 plus business grade software and hardware to secure an existing broadband connection (such as anti-virus and anti-spyware software).
Package 3: Complete Broadband Security Package ($3,000 grant) consists of Packages 1 and 2 plus an ADSL broadband connection (valued at $1,500) (only available if you currently do not have a broadband connection).
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What can HealthConnect SA offer me if i already have broadband installed?
If your organisation already has broadband then you may still be eligible for a Security Health Check ($500 grant) or Software and Hardware Security ($1,500 grant).
The Security Health Check is designed to help you identify any current or potential security risks to your organisation. This includes checking if the software and hardware firewalls are appropriately locked-down and whether the anti-virus, anti-spy ware and Windows updates are current. However, this does not include full penetration testing.
On completion of the Security Health Check you will be presented with a high-level security report that will indicate any areas requiring urgent attention. You will also receive an IT Security Manual which has been developed to assist you with the ongoing management of your IT security.
The Software and Hardware Security ($1500 grant) is for organisations with an existing broadband connection that is not yet fully secured. The package includes a VPN-capable CISCO 877 router (or equivalent), anti-virus and anti-spy ware software and lockdown of hardware and software firewalls.
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I have recently upgraded my computer systems. Am I eligible for a grant?
If you have recently invested in an upgrade, you are not initially eligible for a grant as we currently do not have a method to assess your level of security compliance. However, we encourage you to register your details with us (via the Registration forms available on this website) as we may be able to reassess your eligibility in the future.
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How do I know if I am eligible for the package?
| Provider Type |
Eligibility Criteria |
Package Type |
| Pharmacies |
All community pharmacies located in South Australia |
Package 1 |
| General practices |
All general practices located in South Australia |
Package 1 or 2 |
| Specialists |
All private specialist rooms/clinics located in South Australia. Includes specialist rooms attached to country public hospitals where no state-government funded broadband connection is available. |
Package 1, 2 or 3 |
| Aged care |
All commonwealth funded residential aged care facilities. |
Package 1, 2 or 3 |
| Allied health |
All registered/credentialed audiologists, chiropractors, diabetes educators, dietitians, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, social workers and speech pathologists. |
Package 1, 2 or 3 |
Note: Grants are limited to one per practice and are not availabel to applicants who have previously received a HealthConnect SA Secure Broadband Grant.
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How do I sign-up?
There are a number of downloadable Registration of Interest forms on the Secure Broadband Grants page of this website. Download the appropriate form, complete and return to the HealthConnect SA office.
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What happens once I have registered my interest?
The HealthConnect SA office will confirm that your Registration of Interest has been received.
Once your eligibility has been assessed you will be sent an information pack containing an application form to complete.
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Can I choose who performs the work in my practice?
In the information pack you receive once your eligibility has been assessed, is a list of IT vendors that have been approved by HealthConnect SA to carry out your Secure Broadband service. Only IT vendors on the approved vendor list can be used to carry out services funded through the HealthConnect SA Secure Broadband Grants. Once you have chosen a vendor from the approved list, contact them directly to organise an appropriate time for them to deliver the Secure Broadband service for you.
The approved IT Vendor list contains IT vendors that have been nominated by health providers, and have been assessed by HealthConnect SA as having the necessary skills to carry out installations and services involved in the implementation of Secure Broadband packages currently on offer.
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Which vendors can install a Secure Broadband Package in regional South Australia?
All vendors on the approved IT Vendor list have indicated their ability to install packages in regional South Australia. If you are located in regional South Australia, we suggest you contact a vendor from the approved list and confirm their ability to install the package in your area, and to discuss any associated travel costs involved.
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I believe broadband will become available in my area in the near future. Can I reserve a Grant for when broadband is available?
The secure broadband package must be installed within three months of you receiving an information pack from us, confirming you are eligible for a grant.
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I have recently installed broadband in my practice, are there any rebates available?
No. the purpose of the grant is to encourage health care providers with no existing broadband infrastructure to install broadband in order to increase the uptake of e-Health activities.
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If I have a Telstra phone line, do I need Telstra to install the package?
No. You can choose any vendor from the approved IT Vendor list to install your Secure Broadband service.
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What existing infrastructure do I need to have the package installed?
All you require is an existing phone/fax telephone line.
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What is wireless networking?
Portable workstations, such as laptop computers or PDAs (personal digital assistants), can use radio frequency signals to connect to an Ethernet LAN (local area network) to establish 'wireless networking'. Wireless networking may involve computers communicating across a local wireless access point, in-house via a local area network with or without external access to carrier or private networks, which in turn may be wireless or terrestrial. Alternatively, fixed or portable computers could be given direct wireless access to an external network, as in the case of a mobile telecommunications broadband service.
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Is wireless networking supported by HealthConnect SA?
HealthConnect SA does not endorse the use of wireless networking in combination with any services supplied through its current e-Health initiatives. Consequently, packages made available through the Secure Broadband Grants project do not include a wireless capability.
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Is access to a mobile telecommunications broadband service supported by HealthConnect SA?
Applications for packages utilising mobile telecommunications (3G) broadband services will only be considered in situations where access to other broadband technologies are unavailable, or if the business case supports the demand - e.g. in the situation of a mobile office/GP practices. Each application will be assessed on its individual merits and the ability to mitigate any security risks involved - For example: is computer hardware and software maintained in optimal condition? (Includes physical security, efficient performance of computer programs, and program upgrades and patches).
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I understand HealthConnect SA's position regarding wireless services, but can I still employ wireless networking?
It should be noted that a grant recipient is not precluded from employing wireless networking; however, to do so would be at their own risk and expense (exceptions may apply as in question 19 above). It should also be noted that any such implementation be undertaken with the express understanding that the use of this technology may jeopardise certification and access to existing or future e-Health systems.
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How secure is wireless networking?
The threat to expose or exploit any vulnerabilities existing in an inadequately or unmanaged wireless network is rated as a high security risk. Even when security protocols are implemented to the appropriate wireless standard (refer question 22 below), it's possible that vulnerabilities may still exist. For further information on this subject, a whitepaper is available for you to download via the following link: Wireless technology in General Practice (PDF 163 KB).
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What are the current standards for wireless networking?
The current standard for wireless Ethernet, which specifies an 11 or 54 Mb/sec data transmission rate, is 802.11b and 802.11a respectively. These use the 2.4Ghz frequency or 5Ghz regulated frequency spectrum. The later standard 802.11g which uses the 2.4Ghz frequency, is both-way compatible with 802.11b - (802.11b/g access points will work with 802.11g/b wireless network adapters).
IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2000) is the global standard for third generation (3G) wireless communications. IMT-2000 uses digital mobile telecommunications technologies in the provision of broadband access for fixed and mobile wireless access systems at data transmission rates of up to 1.5Mb/sec.
For more information about Internet security visit the Australian Government's new website Stay Smart Online: www.staysmartonline.gov.au