This "grassroots" innovation is creating a culture where people can get involved. "You don't just have a top-down culture," Spencer said. "A lot of what we have done is to try to get away from that central innovation function and really promote the grassroots, small-man stuff as much as we want the big, strategic things. So it's about having a double portfolio."

Cathie Steele, general manager of the Australian Center for Health, said over the past ten years innovation has changed dramatically and is more than just based on standard business drivers.

For example, investigations into the number of people who died as a result of simply going to hospital revealed a core communications problem."When there are a team of people working on your health - from radiologists to pharmacists - any one can make a mistake and communications becomes vital," Steel said. "That has become a major driver for innovation in healthcare."

Steele cited delivering information to the bedside in an intensive care environment as an example of successful innovation.