**Entrance and reception of the new Clifford Craig Foundation Research & Innovation Centre.**

On Friday 5 September, the Clifford Craig Foundation proudly celebrated the official launch of its new Research and Innovation Centre at the Launceston General Hospital. This state-of-the-art $5.1 million facility was made possible through funding from the Tasmanian Government and Australian Government. Its opening marks a turning point for medical research in Tasmania’s North and North West – establishing a hub where collaboration, clinical trials and innovation can thrive.

(Left) Jess Teesdale, Federal Member for Bass, and (Right) Minister for Health Bridget Archer cutting the ribbon to officially open the Clifford Craig Research and Innovation Centre.

Why This Matters

For more than 30 years, Clifford Craig has been dedicated to improving health outcomes for our community. The new Centre takes this mission to an exciting new level, positioning Tasmania’s North and North West as regions leading the way in research and innovation. This is not just about facilities – it is about creating opportunities that attract and retain the very best medical staff, while paving the way for research breakthroughs that can change lives across the state and beyond.

Monika O’Connor, Research Coordinator at Clifford Craig Foundation, taking attendees on a tour of the new Research and Innovation Centre.

As our CEO, Vanessa Cahoon, explained:

"This new Research and Innovation Centre will transform the way medical research is conducted in Tasmania. This Centre is a clear health investment in our current and future generations, offering the leadership, governance and fit-for-purpose space to enable clinical trials, collaborative studies and health education activities to thrive right here in North and North West Tasmania."

Clifford Craig Foundation Chair, John Batten, described the Centre as nothing short of a "game-changer".

"This is a significant step forward for medical research across Tasmania’s North and North West. It will open the door to collaborative national and international research being undertaken here in our region, attracting new clinicians and researchers while creating jobs and generating important research revenue. Importantly, it positions the LGH as a recognised teaching and research hospital, helping to attract and retain medical specialists and health professionals, particularly in rural and regional areas."

Supporting Local Research

At the launch, we were proud to announce the successful 2025 Foundation Grants applicants, continuing our commitment to supporting clinicians, nurses and researchers driving improvements in patient care.

$120,000 in funding was awarded to the following projects:

Emergency Department Early Pregnancy Experiences Project: Awarded to A/Prof Rohan Church with Sophie Illingworth, Chloe Hui, Chun Wai Chan, Sarah Haas and Sanjey Sheyamalan to explore how women presenting with pain and bleeding in early pregnancy are assessed and cared for in the LGH Emergency Department, with an aim to create better pathways for high-quality care.
Periprosthetic Joint Infection Database at the Launceston General Hospital: Awarded to Luke Hass to establish a database that will improve understanding and management of joint replacement complications.
Optimus CORE and PRIME Paediatric Deterioration Training: Awarded to Erin Quirke to implement specialised training for North West Regional Hospital ED staff to address gaps in paediatric emergency care.
Pre-Hospital Delay in Stroke: Awarded to Peta Antypas to investigate why some stroke patients arrive too late for life-saving interventions and how to reduce delays in Northern Tasmania.
Huntington’s Disease Trial Network: Awarded to Dr Lauren Giles to build capacity for local Huntington’s Disease clinical trials, giving Tasmanians access to world-class treatments close to home.
Long Term Antibiotics Use in Tasmania: Awarded to Dr Ali Trad to create a state-wide registry to better understand and guide safe long-term antimicrobial use.
Leaks, Logs and Life Changes: Continence Care Journeys: Awarded to Thomas Heazlewood to capture the lived experiences of clients and caregivers navigating continence assessment and care in Northern Tasmania.
Dermoscopy for Anatomically Difficult Locations: Awarded to Professor Phillip Clarke to trial flexible dermoscopy technology to improve diagnosis of skin cancers in hard-to-reach areas.
Launceston Outcomes for Colorectal Cancer (LOCC) Registry: Awarded to Mr Madhu Bhamidipaty to establish Tasmania’s first registry to track outcomes for colorectal cancer patients, particularly in ageing and rural populations.
Health Information Exchange (HIE) at LGH: Awarded to Maharaba De Silva to integrate laboratory, radiology and emergency data systems to improve the delivery of patient care.
Bringing Screening to the Doorstep: Awarded to Sarah Doran to pilot nurse-led cancer and chronic disease screening programs in rural Tasmanian towns to improve early detection and access.
Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): Awarded to Kelsey Brown to launch a North West FEES service, giving regional patients access to gold-standard swallowing assessments currently only available in the South.
Reducing Early Term Births: Awarded to Rachelle Hookway to adapt the successful Every Week Counts study to reduce non-medically indicated early inductions and caesareans in a rural Tasmanian hospital.
Supporting Rural ICU Surge Capacity Post-COVID: Awarded to Anthea Rix to investigate how rural ICUs can strengthen emergency preparedness and surge capacity planning in the wake of COVID-19.

Once again, we would like to congratulate these recipients and highlight the importance of supporting local research projects, which is made possible through the generous philanthropic support of the community.

**2025 Foundation Research Grant recipients**

Looking Ahead

The Centre has been modelled on the success of the Townsville Institute of Health Research and Innovation, which has been transformational for Northern Queensland. With strong partnerships already in place, this facility will deliver long-lasting benefits for our hospitals, clinicians and the wider community.

The launch of the Research and Innovation Centre marks the beginning of a new chapter for healthcare in Tasmania. By backing our local researchers, we can unlock discoveries that will improve lives for generations to come.

Click here for more information on Clifford Craig Foundation funded research.