Historic step taken for Research and Innovation Centre
Premier Jeremy Rockliff and CCF Chairman Dr John Batten (front), with LGH physiotherapist and researcher Dr Ianthe Boden, CCF CEO Peter Milne and Deputy Director Medical Services Dr Brooke Sheldon.
December 20, 2022
The establishment of a new dedicated Research and Innovation Centre at the Launceston General Hospital has taken an important step forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The MoU was signed by Clifford Craig Foundation Chairman Dr John Batten AM and Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday, formalising a partnership between the Foundation and state government.
The new centre aims to improve the coordination and management of health research in North and North-West Tasmania, and improve collaboration between the Health Department and research organisations within Tasmania, nationally, and globally.
It’s expected the centre will enhance Tasmania’s capacity to recruit, retain and train medical specialists and health professionals in Tasmania’s North and North-West, and particularly in rural and regional areas.
Importantly, it will increase the viability of health research in the community, ensuring continued research into improved practice.
Premier Rockliff and Dr Batten sign the MoU.
Premier Rockliff welcomed the signing of the MoU.
“The new Research and Innovation Centre will enhance the capacity of the Department to attract research investment and increase the quality and quantity of health research across the North and North-West,’’ he said.
“We also know improved research pathways will improve patient outcomes, particularly in rural and regional Tasmania, and increase patient satisfaction in the health system.”
Clifford Craig Foundation chairman, Dr John Batten AM, said the signing of the MoU represented a significant step in securing the future of medical research in North and North-West Tasmania.
“A well-coordinated, fit for purpose research centre at the Launceston General Hospital will help clinicians to advance health research locally and translate their results into better treatment for their patients,’’ he said.
“The model laid out in this MoU will support the recruitment of medical professionals, attract further research dollars to Tasmania and provide transitional solutions to the health issues that are faced by regional communities.
“Through the joint funding commitment by the State and Federal Governments, the Clifford Craig Foundation is confident this project will directly advance healthcare for people living in North and North-West Tasmania.”
The Research Centre will be established on Level 1 of the Northern Integrated Care Services (NICS) building on the LGH campus, with Health Department staff and Clifford Craig Foundation staff co-locating in the new facility.
As part of this partnership, the Health Department will employ a Director of Research to develop and run the research program.
The Health Department will also employ a Research Business Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager and Research Nurse Coordinator.
A steering committee will now be established to develop a formal research agreement and establish the Research Centre.
LGH physiotherapist and award-winning researcher Dr Ianthe Boden said having a dedicated research centre in the North of the state will be a huge asset.
“This research centre will directly help clinicians here in the North and North-West of Tasmania to get back to what we do best, which is helping our patients,” she said.
“Research is like a business. There are contracts, there is money, there are research assistants to employ.
“There are huge reams of paperwork that need to be done to run a good research project.
“This is an incredibly valuable opportunity and will only improve the health and wellbeing of our population.”
The centre will be established and commence operation within five years of the signing of the MoU.