Optus’ Donate Your Data program will support the telehealth model of care through a partnership with Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation

Two million customer donations and 18 million gigabytes of data reached since the program’s launch

Since Optus launched its Donate Your Data program in late 2019, the gift of data to young Australians in need has been one that has kept on giving, with the telco now expanding the program into telehealth.

With so much of the world taking place online, this program was born out of Optus’ commitment to working towards closing the digital divide in Australia for young Australians in need. Having received over 2 million donations from customers to date, the program has enabled those in need to access the internet and opened the door for them to learn, create and connect in a way that wasn’t previously possible.

Now partnering with Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, Optus’ Donate Your Data program will support the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network telehealth model of care, to ensure that young Australians who do not have sufficient data to access these services, or are unable to visit a hospital, can receive quality care remotely.

VP, TV, Content & Product Development Clive Dickens said, “During this year, we have certainly learnt how critical staying connected is for health, education, business and entertainment. Having access to enough data is something many of us may have taken for granted.”

“Through our Donate Your Data program, we’re able to empower our customers to provide data through our charity partners who then create meaningful support and opportunities for young Australians in need. We are thrilled to be increasing the momentum of our program by partnering with Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.”

“Reliable connectivity has become key to accessing important health services, which the Foundation can facilitate by expanding our program’s reach to children under their care, equipping them with data they need for their telehealth consults and giving them the flexibility of being able to do so regardless of where they live.”

“We are also grateful to our customers, who through their now over two million donations since the program launched, has helped us power the potential of young Australians in need.”

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation CEO, Nicola Stokes said, “We have all had to adapt to new ways of working during COVID-19, and patients and staff at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network are no exception.”

“They have all embarked on telehealth models of care to ensure patients who have been unable to visit the hospitals for their usual treatments still get the support and care they need and deserve. This has led to an increase of 1522% in the use of Telehealth across the hospitals, and in some departments, around 80% of consultations are now delivered this way.”

“Many patient families have also welcomed this change as it reduces the amount of travel required and allows more family members to attend appointments while physical distancing measures are in place.”

“However, the demand on data usage has also increased, putting pressure on the family's data capacity, so we are extremely grateful to Optus for partnering with us to support families and ensure they have enough data to enable them to have their consultations and treatments remotely. Optus inviting their customers to donate their unused data is an innovative way to ensure sick children and their families can continue to access the care they need – wherever they live across New South Wales.”

Optus will continue to expand its Donate Your Data program by including additional charities and causes to help bridge the digital divide faced by young Australians living in disadvantage. Those charities currently on the program include: ABCN, KARI Foundation, Mission Australia, Salvation Army, Story Factory, The Smith Family, and Your Town.

In exciting news, today we are also announcing a further partnership with Girls Academy – a leading provider of school-based engagement programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in Australia.

Optus Postpaid and Prepaid Mobile customers on eligible plans can start donating data today. For more information, visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/sustainability/community/donate-your-data or check out the My Optus app.

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