The Ramsay Way 2017 | 03 13
RESEARCH@RAMSAY
Ramsay Hospital Research
Foundation commits funding
The new Ramsay Hospital Research Found is allocating
$5m to research projects in Ramsay facilities with priority
of funding for 2017/2018 focused on the following areas:
• Mental Health
• Health Services Research
• Rehabilitation
“The Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation (RHRF) is
working to integrate a research “culture” into the day
to day operations of the company,” says Nicola Ware,
Chief Executive Officer of the Ramsay Hospital Research
Foundation.
A former lab researcher at the Victor Chang Cardiac
Institute, General Manager of the Melanoma Institute of
Australia and COO of Neuroscience Research Australia,
Ms Ware says Ramsay Hospitals are “the operating rooms
of the future” - with doctors and nurses at the coalface
coming up with new and better ways to improve the
patient hospital experience every day.
Our focus for 2017/2018 is on mental health, health services
research and rehabilitation. An example of a project we have
decided to fund this year is the the Pathways Trial a project
that investigates the use of wearable devices, range of motion
sensors and remote monitoring devices to track patient
improvements after they undergo knee or back surgery.
“Investigators are currently seeking ethics approval with
patient recruitment expected to commence in 2018.”
“The Foundation is interested in any worthy projects that
will improve patient outcomes; where there is potential for
research to be carried out across multiple sites and where
there is a high volume of patients in the research area.
“We are also keen to assist with established projects that
may already be running at your hospitals that may have
ethics approval and protocol developed.”
Ms Ware said all enquiries about research and funding
opportunities could be directed to WareN@rhrf.org.au
or 02 9433 1402
GMRF Clinical Trials Unit
revolutionising access to
life-saving treatments
The Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) has
been applauded for its commitment to providing patients with access to lifechanging
new treatments, thanks to innovative current clinical trials across
oncology, liver disease and respiratory illnesses.
In August, the CTU team received the Association of
Regulatory and Clinical Scientists (ARCS) Favourite
Investigational Site 2017 Award, as voted by industry peers
and sponsors.
“I am very proud to have our unit recognised for the conduct
of clinical trials, conducted in collaboration with clinicians from
Greenslopes Private Hospital. This award gives sponsors the
confidence that trials conducted at GMRF will be efficiently
and professionally managed,” GMRF Clinical Trial Manager Dr
Suzanne Elliott says.
GMRF Clinical Trials
Manager Dr Suzanne
The CTU currently has about 40 clinical trials open, with
three-quarters of these either recruiting, dosing or in
participant follow up.
For more information visit www.gallipoliresearch.com.au
Elliot receiving the award
MBH RECEIVES A $713,000 SHOT IN THE ARM
Mildura Base Hospital has received a
$156,000 from State Government coffers,
and is committing a further $36,000 of its own
funds to improve safety and security across
the hospital.
The hospital also recently received $527,000 in
influenza relief funding following a bumper flu season
that saw an 11 per cent increase in presentations from
June to August.
Chief Executive Officer Julia Morgan said the security
funding would be used in part to analyse the hospital’s
current approach to security.
“Like all hospitals across the state, we’re concerned
about an increase in anti-social and aggressive
behaviour coming both from visitors and patients,” Ms
Morgan said.
“We’ve put in place 24-hour-a-day security already
including an external contractor and our own well
trained personal support assistants. This latest funding
will let us review what we are doing; and going forward
ensure we embed a security model that meets the
ongoing needs of staff and patients.”
She said the influenza funding was also
welcome and came at a critical time
when extra stuff were needed to
cater for increased demand.
“When people come through
the door it’s not about the books
balancing, it’s about providing the
care they need at the time and the
care they needed this past winter
was particularly intense.”
Nicola Ware, CEO Ramsay Hospital
Research Foundation