health-and-analytics | insidepolicy

project experience.

Inside Policy and Predictive Analytics brings over a decade of experience designing and delivering culturally responsive monitoring approaches and evaluations for First Nations-led programs, national strategies and Commonwealth-funded initiatives. This work is demonstrated in the project summaries detailed below.

our experience - health and data analytics

Evaluation of Culture Care Connect

Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Completed 2025

Co-designed a program logic and theory of change grounded in Indigenous-led, community controlled principles.
Developed an evaluation plan
Partnered with over 120 First Nations stakeholders across 31 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services nationally
Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data collected through yarns, surveys, interviews and document reviews
Undertook econometric and statistical analysis
Delivered high-quality interim and final evaluation reports, participant-facing summaries and implementation recommendations
Managed multijurisdictional ethics approvals and complex stakeholder environments.

In 2024, Inside Policy was engaged by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Network (NACCHO) to evaluate the Culture Care Connect (CCC) program. CCC is the first Indigenous designed, led and delivered initiative to strengthen First Nations’ mental health and suicide prevention across 31 Community Controlled Suicide Prevention Network regions. 

The evaluation went beyond performance assessment. It strengthened the program’s results architecture, clarified implementation pathways, and supported government and community partners to align investment with long term outcomes. Inside Policy’s work assessed program accessibility, effectiveness, appropriateness and efficiency using qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection included a comprehensive document review, 16 site visits, 150 stakeholder interviews and surveys of participating sites and ACCHO staff. A cost-benefit analysis supported assessment of program efficiency, alongside successful ethics approvals across multiple HRECs.

Inside Policy’s evaluation found that the CCC program was generally producing positive outcomes for its participants, however required further ongoing supports to ensure the sustainability of these outcomes. Recommendations for project rollout and implementation were provided to inform future program funding and implementation decisions. 

National Consultations on the “Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment Services” Measure

National Indigenous Australians Agency, Completed 2023

Between 2022 and 2023, Inside Policy was engaged by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to design and deliver a two-stage national consultation process to inform the Commonwealth measure Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment Services, supported by up to $66 million in funding under the Closing the Gap Implementation Plan. The measure aimed to reduce harmful alcohol and other drug use and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

The consultations focused on service delivery, workforce capability and data, and capital infrastructure, drawing on expertise across the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector, AOD service providers, peaks, governments and sector experts. Outputs included discussion papers and strategic advice to inform funding priorities and program design, with clear relevance to prevention-oriented initiatives and policy settings linked to alcohol-related harm and FASD.

Anti-Vaping Formative Research and Campaign Evaluation with Aboriginal Young People

Cancer Institute New South Wales, Completed 2024

Between 2023 and 2024, Inside Policy was engaged by the Cancer Institute NSW to undertake a staged program of formative research and campaign evaluation to inform and assess a statewide anti-vaping public health campaign with Aboriginal young people aged 14–24 years. The work was designed to strengthen understanding of vaping behaviours and drivers of behaviour change and to assess the impact of both general population and Aboriginal-specific campaign materials. This staged approach has strong relevance to the Strong Born Campaign, which similarly seeks to influence attitudes and behaviours through culturally grounded prevention messaging.

Inside Policy first delivered formative research to inform policy development and campaign design. The research framework was co-designed with Aboriginal governance and advisory structures to ensure cultural safety, relevance and alignment with Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing. Engagement was undertaken in partnership with Aboriginal Community Researchers, supporting culturally appropriate participation by young people and communities. Findings directly informed the development of campaign messaging and materials and were reported back to participants and partner organisations through a community-facing report.

Following completion of the formative research, Inside Policy was subsequently engaged to evaluate the Anti-Vaping Campaign following its launch in January 2024. A Campaign Evaluation Framework was co-designed to assess campaign reach, resonance and perceived influence on attitudes and behaviours. The evaluation applied a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data with qualitative engagement facilitated through ACCHOs. Findings were used to inform refinement of future anti-vaping campaigns and strengthened the Institute’s approach to engaging Aboriginal young people through strengths-based, culturally grounded public health communication.

New South Wales Aboriginal Women Breast Screening Age Project (PUTUWA)

Cancer Institute New South Wales BreastScreen, Completed 2024

In 2023, Inside Policy was engaged by the Cancer Institute New South Wales (NSW) to evaluate the PUTUWA project, an Aboriginal-specific initiative designed to increase participation of Aboriginal women in breast cancer screening by providing a culturally specific service model and expanding screening eligibility to Aboriginal women aged 40–74 years. The evaluation assessed whether targeted strategies had increased screening participation and examined the extent to which BreastScreen NSW services were delivering culturally safe care. This work is directly relevant to the Strong Born Campaign, demonstrating experience evaluating prevention-focused initiatives that seek to influence health behaviours through culturally grounded approaches.

The evaluation applied a mixed-methods design, combining analysis of administrative screening data and project documentation with qualitative engagement involving Aboriginal women, service providers and Aboriginal governance and working group members across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW. Inside Policy worked closely with the Institute to refine the evaluation framework and partnered with ACCHOs, ACCOs, Aboriginal Medical Services and community stakeholders to support culturally appropriate recruitment and engagement. Findings informed recommendations to strengthen culturally safe breast screening policy and practice in NSW and were reported to government, participating services and communities, with outputs also prepared for academic publication.

Evaluation of Culture Care Connect

Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Completed 2025

Co-designed a program logic and theory of change grounded in Indigenous-led, community controlled principles.
Developed an evaluation plan
Partnered with over 120 First Nations stakeholders across 31 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services nationally
Gathered and analysed qualitative and quantitative data collected through yarns, surveys, interviews and document reviews
Undertook econometric and statistical analysis
Delivered high-quality interim and final evaluation reports, participant-facing summaries and implementation recommendations
Managed multijurisdictional ethics approvals and complex stakeholder environments.

In 2024, Inside Policy was engaged by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Network (NACCHO) to evaluate the Culture Care Connect (CCC) program. CCC is the first Indigenous designed, led and delivered initiative to strengthen First Nations’ mental health and suicide prevention across 31 Community Controlled Suicide Prevention Network regions. 

The evaluation went beyond performance assessment. It strengthened the program’s results architecture, clarified implementation pathways, and supported government and community partners to align investment with long term outcomes. Inside Policy’s work assessed program accessibility, effectiveness, appropriateness and efficiency using qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection included a comprehensive document review, 16 site visits, 150 stakeholder interviews and surveys of participating sites and ACCHO staff. A cost-benefit analysis supported assessment of program efficiency, alongside successful ethics approvals across multiple HRECs.

Inside Policy’s evaluation found that the CCC program was generally producing positive outcomes for its participants, however required further ongoing supports to ensure the sustainability of these outcomes. Recommendations for project rollout and implementation were provided to inform future program funding and implementation decisions. 

Forecasting Disease Prevalence, Incidence and Acute Hospital Admissions

New South Wales Ministry of Health, Completed 2024

Between 2017 and 2024, Predictive Analytics Group Pty Ltd (PAG) was engaged by the New South Wales Ministry of Health to develop forecasting models to support planning and evaluation of disease prevalence, incidence, and acute hospital activity across the state. The work included forecasting activity for Endovascular Clot Retrieval (ECR) patients, modelling incidence and prevalence of renal dialysis, and validating acute hospital separation forecasts across New South Wales.PAG developed statistical forecasting models tailored to each clinical and service context, using administrative health data, population projections, and service utilisation trends. For example, in forecasting demand for ECR services, PAG developed a bivariate count data model linking projected ECR separation counts to forecasts of ischaemic stroke incidence. This approach enabled robust projections despite limited historical data and structural changes associated with the introduction and expansion of ECR services.

The modelling outputs provided the Ministry with an evidence base to support service planning, infrastructure investment, and clinical service design, ensuring future service capacity is aligned with projected patient demand.

Demand Modelling and Service Pathway Evaluation for Endovascular Clot Retrieval (ECR) Services

New South Wales Ministry of Health, Completed 2021

Between 2018 and 2021, PAG was engaged by the New South Wales Ministry of Health to develop demand projections and evaluate alternative service delivery models for Endovascular Clot Retrieval (ECR) treatment. The project assessed competing clinical pathways to determine the optimal model of care for patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke.PAG developed statistical models to forecast ECR demand and quantify outcomes under alternative service delivery pathways. One model simulated patient transfer via the nearest Acute Thrombolysis Centre and Acute Stroke Unit prior to referral to an ECR centre, while the alternative model assessed outcomes where patients were transported directly to ECR-capable facilities.

The modelling framework enabled quantitative comparison of alternative service configurations, supporting evidence-based decisions regarding optimal service delivery models, patient outcomes, and health system efficiency.

Statewide Health Demand Forecasting and Analytics Platform for Capital Planning

New South Wales Ministry of Health, Completed 2023

Between 2017 and 2023, PAG developed a comprehensive forecasting and analytics platform used by the New South Wales Ministry of Health to support planning and allocation of the State’s capital health budget, valued at approximately $1.6 billion. The platform enables health system planners to forecast future demand across clinical service categories and geographic regions.The application integrates statistical forecasting models with an interactive user interface, allowing users to filter, segment, and analyse demand projections at multiple levels of granularity. Users are able to modify forecast parameters and conduct scenario analysis to assess the impact of demographic change, service delivery adjustments, and policy interventions.The platform incorporates advanced data visualisation tools and replaced the Ministry’s reliance on spreadsheet-based forecasting methods, providing a scalable and robust analytics environment to support long-term health system planning.

Validation and Enhancement of Renal Dialysis Demand Forecasts

New South Wales Ministry of Health, Completed 2020

Between 2018 and 2020, PAG was engaged by the New South Wales Ministry of Health to independently validate its existing renal dialysis demand forecasts. The objective was to assess the reliability and robustness of forecasts used to support infrastructure and service planning.PAG conducted detailed statistical analysis of historical dialysis activity and population trends, identifying anomalies and structural inconsistencies in existing forecasts. PAG developed alternative forecasting models using generalised linear modelling techniques and compared these results with existing projections.The analysis strengthened confidence in renal dialysis demand forecasts and ensured infrastructure and workforce planning decisions were based on robust and defensible quantitative evidence.

RoveApp Public Health Analytics Platform

New South Wales Ministry of Health, Completed 2023

Between 2019 and 2023, Predictive Analytics Group Pty Ltd (PAG) developed and delivered RoveApp, a cloud-based public health analytics platform for the New South Wales Ministry of Health. The platform provides advanced analytics, forecasting, and reporting capability to more than 300 staff across 12 clinical streams.RoveApp enables users to forecast demand, analyse service utilisation trends, and undertake scenario analysis to support planning and resource allocation decisions. The system replaced spreadsheet-based forecasting processes with a scalable, secure analytics platform designed to support evidence-based health system planning.

Statistical Profiling of Male Suicide Cohorts

Queensland Mental Health Commission, Completed 2022

In 2022, PAG was engaged by the Queensland Mental Health Commission to conduct statistical analysis and profiling of male suicide records as part of a research project examining patterns and risk factors associated with suicide among adult males in Queensland.PAG analysed demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic data using advanced statistical clustering methods to identify distinct profiles among individuals represented in the dataset. Variables analysed included mental health history, socioeconomic factors, criminal history, health conditions, and service utilisation patterns.The analysis identified four distinct population profiles with differing levels of engagement with mental health services and differing risk characteristics. The findings provided insights to support improved targeting of prevention strategies and informed policy and service planning.

Clinical Research Collaboration: Modelling Medication Adherence in Dementia Patients (2018–2019)

Between 2018 and 2019, PAG collaborated with clinical researchers to develop statistical models examining factors associated with medication adherence among dementia patients, based on caregiver characteristics and behaviours.PAG analysed qualitative and quantitative data collected from caregivers and applied Bayesian statistical models, including Dirichlet Process Mixture Models, to identify distinct caregiver profiles associated with differing levels of medication adherence.The analysis identified key caregiver characteristics associated with improved medication adherence, including cognitive capacity, commitment, self-efficacy, and engagement with healthcare providers. The findings contributed to improved understanding of factors influencing treatment adherence and informed clinical and policy discussions.

This work was published in:El-Saifi N, Moyle W, Jones C and Alston-Knox C (2019). Determinants of medication adherence in older people from a caregivers’ perspective. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(3), 331–339.

Clinical AI Development: Optica Machine Learning Tool for Detection of Diabetic Macular Edema (2021–2024)

Between 2021 and 2024, PAG developed Optica, a machine learning-based clinical decision support tool designed to assist in detection of diabetic macular edema from retinal imaging data.The system applies advanced machine learning algorithms calibrated to clinically validated thresholds and enables automated analysis of retinal images to identify indicators of diabetic eye disease.The tool was designed to support clinicians by improving the speed and consistency of diagnostic assessment and demonstrates PAG’s capability in developing clinically relevant artificial intelligence tools aligned with healthcare workflows.