Regional clinical trials continue

GRAMPIANS Health has released its research annual report which shows the progress the organisation has made in clinical discoveries.

The report shows that in 2022 to 2023, the organisation approved 161 new research projects and had 272 active ones.

Grampians Health chief medical officer, Professor Matthew Hadfield said it is important to have clinical trials undertaken in regional Victoria.

“With most clinical research being conducted in metropolitan areas, it’s significant that Grampians Health has had over 200 research projects running in regional Victoria,” he said.

“Clinical research is fundamental to enhancing healthcare at Grampians Health, where our focus is effective patient care and improved health outcomes for our community.

“Our researchers are continuing to bring a strong focus on research to regional Victoria, giving our regional communities access to lifesaving medical treatment in our own backyard.”

In 2022 to 2023, 800 patients were recruited to clinical trials and 112 research papers by clinicians were published.

“It’s been proven that an organisation with strong research values has better outcomes for both staff and patients,” said Mr Hadfield.

“We’re proud to support our staff to continue finding and undertaking research to help our current patients and to add to medical knowledge for the future.”

Mr Hadfield said the organisation hopes to bring more clinical trials to the regions.

“While we know regional Victoria is a great place to live, we acknowledge that there is disparity between regional and rural Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to bringing more research opportunities to regional Victoria to start lowering that disparity, give more representation in clinical research to regional patients and communities, and more opportunities for regional and rural patients to have access to world class medical treatments closer to home.”