Research & Innovation Centre commitment
June, 2021
Following several years of strategic planning, consultation and lobbying by the Clifford Craig Foundation, a dedicated research and innovation centre is one step closer following a commitment by state Liberal Government to partner with the Foundation and develop a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the centre on the Launceston General Hospital’s main campus.
Premier Peter Gutwein conveyed the positive commitment on the eve of the recent State election, after the Foundation had previously submitted a proposal to the Government for the research centre, which is intended to deliver a co-designed research program for the north and north west of the state.
Clifford Craig Foundation originally commissioned a report by KP Health in 2016 to establish a Northern Tasmanian Strategic Framework for Clinical Research. The objective of the report was to identify the shortfalls that impacted health research activity at the LGH, whilst providing a much-needed forward vision and strategy that will enhance the delivery of clinical services that are informed and improved by clinical research.
Due to the KP Health report sitting somewhat dormant by the Department of Health, the Foundation decided to further advance their desire for the development of research across Northern Tasmania and prepared a business case for the establishment of dedicated research & innovation centre, which was presented to the previous Minister for Health, Sarah Courtney in November 2020.
Ms Courtney conveyed the government recognised the importance of the Foundation and medical research more broadly, and the proposal represents a unique opportunity.
Clifford Craig CEO Peter Milne said this has been several years in the making but we are now delighted the Government has positively recognised the beneficial outcome for the health of our regional community through this proposal and have committed to bring it to fruition.
“Our proposal will help overcome many of the shortfalls that happen in regional communities and their hospitals. The development of the MoU represents the next step towards securing the future of medical research for the region”, he said.
The major benefits of a dedicated health research and innovation centre with the resources to increase the quality and quantity of health research, will:
Increase the visibility of research in the local community and encourage consumer participation in clinical research in rural and regional Tasmania
Enhance the capacity of the THS to attract research investment and employment to rural and regional Tasmania
Improve the capacity of the THS to translate health research into improved practice and patient outcomes in rural and regional Tasmania
Improve the clinical and organisational performance of the THS in the North and North West through lower patient mortality, increased levels of patient satisfaction, reduced staff turnover, improved staff satisfaction and improved efficiency
Improve linkages and collaboration across the THS, and with the Department of Health and other research organisations, including state, national and globally located
Preparation of the MoU has commenced and will focus on two elements, (1) the development of the most appropriate research model that will improve the coordination and management of research and (2) the physical location and layout of the proposed “fit for purpose” research centre that will house all the research interests of the hospital within the one facility.