Activating collaboration to improve healthcare access and equity

Seven collaborative research projects will receive funding to improve pressing health concerns in Australia, such as improving blood donation screening, enhancing best-practice for knee osteoarthritis, supporting women recovering after cancer treatment, and guiding the effective use of medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV.

The projects are sharing in over $9 million in National Health and Medical Research Council funding through the latest round of Partnership Project Grants. The grants scheme funds collaborations between health and medical researchers, local governments, health service providers and not-for-profit organisations to co-design and deliver research.

Dr Benjamin Bavinton of the University of New South Wales and his team will share in almost $1.5 million to conduct an implementation trial involving 900 patients and 24 clinic staff at six clinical sites across three Australian states.

The project will guide the effective introduction of long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

PreP is a highly effective HIV prevention option that has revolutionised HIV prevention in Australia and can reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99 per cent when taken consistently as prescribed.

Almost $1.5 million was funded to Professor John Kaldor of University of New South Wales to support his research on infectious pathogens and associated risk factors in blood donors.

The purpose of donor screening is to minimise the possibility of transmitting an infectious agent from a unit of donated blood to the recipient of that unit and protecting the blood supply while providing a window into the wider community.

Other funding provided through this round of Partnership Project Grants includes:  

• over $1.3 million for Professor Sandie McCarthy (University of Queensland) and team to test a cancer recovery program which aims to ensure women who survive breast and gynaecological cancers have the same quality of life as their peers
• almost $1.4 million for Professor David Hunter (University of Sydney) and team to compare the effectiveness of a telehealth approach with optimal face-to-face treatment of knee osteoarthritis, to inform policy makers and service providers on best-practice management of this condition.

Researchers work with partners to define research questions and undertake research, then interpret and implement the findings to improve health services and processes. Projects funded today will be supported by more than 40 funding partners, bringing the total investment in the projects to over $24.8 million.  

See the full list of research projects. 

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP:

“We know that collaboration delivers better health outcomes for people. These exemplary collaborative projects will gather expertise, working together to improve healthcare services in some critical areas.

“These projects will drive innovation in the development and implementation of health services and public policy that will lead to real health benefits for patients right around Australia.”

Quotes attributable to acting NHMRC CEO Ms Prue Torrance:

“By working in partnership with policy makers and healthcare organisations across the country, researchers ensure their research asks the right questions and is able to deliver significant improvements in health, healthcare access and equity for Australian communities.”

“The Partnership Project Grant scheme supports researchers to work directly with these partners, including hospitals, state governments, community services and patient representative bodies, to design and deliver programs that respond to community needs.”