The Liberal National Government will invest $18 million to develop a world-class rural health and medical research facility that will support the needs of rural communities through-out Australia.
Located in Orange, the construction of the new Institute for Regional, Rural and Remote Health and Medical Research will bring to the community the countries best and brightest researchers in the field of rural health.
The institute will focus on addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequity, supporting ageing and aged care, improving child health, promoting consumer-driven rural health research, building clinical research capacity, and improving health service delivery.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the institute will underpin a new direction in rural health research, ensuring that rural health solutions are located in rural locations involving rural people.
“The Government is proud to support this world-class facility in one of NSW’s fastest growing regional cities,”
Minister Hunt said. “I am confident this new institute will grow into a world-respected organisation that will address the critical health needs of rural communities.”
“This announcement is further demonstration of our unparalleled commitment to health and medical research.”
“Research is the best single way to advance health care, and this will bring a much-needed rural perspective that will benefit not only rural Australia, but the whole nation,” Minister Hunt said.
Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee was thrilled with the Governments investment and said the project will introduce employment opportunities to the region and will help bridge the gap between the city and the country.
“This announcement builds on our national reputation as a centre of medical excellence. It is especially significant as it comes on the back of the new CSU medical school announcement.” Mr Gee said.
“While it’s terrific for local jobs, the most important thing is that this new state-of-the-art facility will lead to improved health outcomes for country people and make life better for those in our country communities.”
“Locating rural health researchers and scholars in rural locations to work in partnership with experienced metropolitan researchers will help address the gap between rural health outcomes, including for Indigenous Australians, and urban outcomes.”
“The new institute will enable researchers to tackle the big questions around the city-country divide.”
The Government’s strong economic management ensures the continued record investment of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.