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Ministers agree: Health & medical research - A top priority

Australia's work in priority driven health and medical research was high on the agenda at today's Australian Health Ministers' Conference, resulting in a $5 million commitment to boost efforts in the area.

Ministers agree: Health & medical research - A top priority

Australia's work in priority driven health and medical research was high on the agenda at today's Australian Health Ministers' Conference, resulting in a $5 million commitment to boost efforts in the area.

Speaking at the conference in Wellington, Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, said while Australia scored well for investigative driven research, there was a pressing need to bolster priority driven research.

"Spending on health and medical research is one of the greatest investments we can make in our health system. Today's show of bipartisan support to commit $5 million to a pilot program for priority driven research will having lasting results for all Australians.

"The decision will ensure that more of our research efforts concentrate on tackling those issues of greatest concern and impact to the community and the health sector. Only when armed with this information can decision-makers effectively target resources to the areas of most need."

Priority-driven research is undertaken into such areas as the best ways of delivering health services to ensure that on-the-ground health care is of the highest quality and the best value for money.

Today's funding commitment will establish a national pilot program for priority driven research. The program will enable priority research projects to be identified and managed on a national basis, increase Australia's capacity to carry out priority driven research and offer a potential structure and foundation for future funding in the area.

State and Territory Health Ministers said priority driven research was identified by the Health and Medical Research Strategic Review - the Wills Report - as a key area for support.

"The Wills Report highlighted areas in research that need improvement and today all Australian Health Ministers rose to the challenge," said South Australian Human Services Minister and conference chair, Dean Brown.

"The decision to make a more concerted effort is a commitment to the health and well being of all Australians. Over time, it will reap a reduction in the burden of disease and the development of a more responsive, targeted health system."

The pilot project will allocate funding to a range of short term research projects which would have:

• a significant impact in reducing the burden of disease and improving health;


• a significant impact on the efficiency and/or equity of the health system;


• reasonable costs relative to the expected benefit;


• the capacity to generate new knowledge; and


• a significant impact on current policy and/or practice.