Enabling research to be translated into action to positively impact on the health of people.
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I am sure that we would all agree the 2020 has been a year like no other. During what has been a difficult time for all of us personally and professionally, the team at Health Translation SA, as well as our partners and stakeholders, adapted quickly to new ways of working and continued to support impactful research for better health in South Australia.
Under the guidance of our new independent Chair, Dr Leanna Read, who commenced at the start of 2020, HTSA has continued to mature as an organisation, achieving some significant outcomes in advancing our goal to accelerate the translation of research into better health outcomes for South Australians.
Working with our Partners and stakeholders we were pleased to undertake a range of coordinating activities to ensure that the South Australian COVID-19 response was well-informed, effective and efficient. One example was the ‘Contact Tracing Think Tank’ which HTSA co-facilitated with the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health (CEIH). Thought-leaders, researchers, and industry experts came together to identify solutions to enhance the process of contact tracing without reducing its integrity.
There has been significant progress on implementing the 17 recommendations arising from the Review of Research Governance in the Department of Health and Wellbeing (SA) and related Local Health Networks (LHNs) known as the Birch Report. The work of the Clinical Research Governance Steering Committee has raised the importance and profile of research across the system and further developed the pathway for research translation in SA.
The Health Analytics Research Collaborative, which brings together key data science experts to work collaboratively on data analytics projects and capacity building initiatives in South Australia, continues to thrive. During 2020 our HTSA Fellows have been involved in 11 projects, across several fields, including palliative care, urgent care, neo-natal care and aboriginal care to name just a few.
Work on our Medical Research Future Fund Better Care projects continues with some welcome adjustments to project timelines in response to COVID-19.
There are some important activities already in train for 2021. We are working with key stakeholders to mobilise the clinical trials environment in SA, our Primary / Acute Care Interface Project is at the scoping stage for a Proof of Concept Pilot Project and HARC is currently scoping a Length of Stay Project which explores patient flow issues in South Australian hospitals.
I would also like to thank our Communication Officer, Ms Nicole Duffy, who is moving on to a new full-time position in the health insurance industry. Nicole has been instrumental in progressing our communications in 2020 and was responsible for updating our branding and website, producing this monthly newsletter and generating our social media. We wish Nicole all the best for the future.
On behalf of the Heath Translation SA Board of Partners I would like to wish you all a safe and happy festive season and we look forward to an action packed, impactful 2021.
Stay safe and healthy.
Wendy Keech, CEO
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> Primary/Acute Care Interface Data Project - Update
HTSA is leading a project that aims to better use the rich supply of healthcare data in SA to improve continuity of care; particularly as people transition between care provided in our hospitals and care provided within the community setting.
We have recently completed a situational analysis to understand the problem and identify the major needs of patients and carers, primary and hospital clinicians and health service decision makers.
Two major needs were identified:
- To provide real time transfer of healthcare information between primary and hospital care providers at point of care to assist healthcare decision making.
- To track the patient journey across the system to support coordination of care, identify gaps in care and ultimately improve services
The Vision is to build a state-of-the art, state-wide real time data asset that can improve clinical care and healthcare services.
The scope of the proposed project is to develop and pilot a technical solution that connects General Practice and hospital Electronic Medical Record data at point of care.
We welcome your feedback and input on the findings of this report and any interest in participating in this future planning stages of this project.
A background brief and consumer report are also available on in the link below.

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> New Technology to Improve Access to Patients’ Electronic Health Records
A collaboration involving Health Translation SA has received $1.9 million from the Medical Research Future Fund.
Monash Partners, our fellow Translation Centre is leading a collaboration involving Health Translation SA and members of the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) to develop a National Learning Health System Data Management Platform.
Receiving $1.9 million from the Medical Research Future Fund this collaborative will test whether new technology can improve access to the electronic medical records (eMRs) of patients, and use the information to improve health service responsiveness and delivery during a crisis such as COVID-19.
The project is a joint collaboration between Alfred Health, Monash University, the National Centre of Health Ageing (Peninsula Health), Outcome Health, Sydney Health Partners, , Kings College London, Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners, Western Australia Health Translation Network, Australian Digital Health Agency, Digital Health CRC and Safer Care Victoria.

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> The Indigenous Language and Wellbeing Survery
Developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities in South Australia, the Indigenous Language and Wellbeing Survey forms part of a research project hosted by Wardliparingga, the Aboriginal Health Equity Research Unit at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and the University of Adelaide.
As the first study of its kind in the world, the Indigenous Language and Wellbeing Survey hopes to show communities a snapshot of language use and wellbeing across South Australia.
The survey itself is not directed toward any particular language groups and does not require involvement in specific language programs or language-related activities. Instead, it asks more broadly about people’s exposure to and use of Indigenous languages, as well as some questions about different areas of wellbeing.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, over the age of 15 years, living in South Australia are invited to participate. It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Participants can go into a prize draw to win one of five $100 gift vouchers!

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> Expression of Interest – Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Grant Assessment Committee
Are you interested in participating in the review and assessment processes of MRFF grant opportunities?
The NHMRC would like to hear from people with experience or expertise in:
- translation of research into clinical practice
- commercialisation of health research
- transdisciplinary research, e.g. collaboration and/or engagement between researchers, consumers, patient groups, those involved in health service delivery and industry
- international research projects, including clinical trials
- health economics and biostatistics
- representing consumer and/or community organisations.
You do not need to have a research qualification to be a member of a Grant Assessment Committee.
You can express your interest in becoming a member in the link below.

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Current Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Grant Opportunities:
- MRFF 2020 Efficient use of Existing Medicines Grant Opportunity
- MRFF 2020 – Primary Health Care Research Data Infrastructure
- MRFF – PPHR Initiative – 2020 Maternal, First 2000 Days, and Childhood Health Grant Opportunity
- MRFF 2020 Quality, Safety and Effectiveness of Medicine Use and Medicine Intervention by Pharmacists MRFF Grant Opportunity
- MRFF 2020 – Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative
- MRFF 2020 Childhood Cancer Research Grant Opportunity
- MRFF 2020 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity
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Introduction to Community Engagement Webinar
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Your last chance to register!
December 17 2020
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ACDT
We are pleased to invite you to our second Consumer and Community Engagement in Health and Medical Research webinar!
If you are currently listed in our Community Interest register at SAHMRI and would like to learn more about what it means to be a community member involved in health and medical research, this event is for you.
This session aims to:
- present why consumer and community engagement in research is important,
- describe what role consumers and community members may have in a research project, and
- introduce you to the research cycle.
Examples of consumer and community engagement will be presented and there will be opportunity to ask questions via chat.
If you're interested, click below and register before tomorrow (Dec 17).
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NAHLN Aboriginal Consumer Reference Group
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The Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) is now accepting expressions of interest for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to join our established Aboriginal Consumer Reference Group (ACRG).
The group currently meets monthly to:
- Provide leadership, advocacy and advice to Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Encourage communication, participation and the sharing of information and knowledge
- Gain new skills and experience
- Enhance our health services to be more culturally responsive
- Celebrate and embrace the successes of the service
If you're interested in registering, find out more below.
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Webinars
- Health Translation SA: Introduction to Community Engagement
Training
- Joanna Briggs Institute: Scoping Review Workshop
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Connect with us in the links below
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