NSW Regional Health Partners, which aligns clinicians and researchers across the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid-North Coast districts, will receive $6.1 million over three years from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
The Hunter has an excellent track record in medical research.
This funding aims to translate medical research into real health outcomes for patients by research and healthcare strategies being integrated through clinicians and the local community.
For example new research will include investigating best practice models for telehealth and aged care and changing community behaviour through healthy weight strategies.
Often people living outside our capital cities and major regional centres do not have access to the same level of healthcare as their city counterparts.
NSW Regional Health Partners is one of two Centres for Innovation in Regional Health working to transform the health and wellbeing of residents of regional, rural and remote NSW.
The Centre consists of eight partners including the Hunter New England, Mid North Coast and Central Coast Health Districts, the University of Newcastle and University of New England, the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, the Hunter Institute of Medical Research and the Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital.
It is through the Turnbull Government’s investment in the MRFF and Centres for Innovation in Regional Health that frontline workers and the community can be empowered to research solutions to break down access barriers to healthcare.
The Turnbull Government is committed to improving the health services for all Australians and will continue to invest in better treatment, care and medical research.
I congratulate NSW Regional Health Partners on their leadership to deliver best practice care to local communities.