Important Information For Researchers
Clinical research is good for patients; it’s good for the health system and it’s good for the South Australian economy.
Driving Improvements for SA Excellence in Clinical Research Governance
Health Translation SA (HTSA) is driving positive change in research governance for better patient health. Clinical research governance – the system that manages health research and clinical trials – is being reset. “Key to this renewed focus is to refine and simplify our systems and processes to make clinical research approvals faster, fostering more consistency across our hospital networks and encouraging more research in South Australia.” Steven Wade, Minister for Health and Wellbeing.
South Australia (SA) has a long and distinguished record for quality in clinical research delivered by highly dedicated clinicians and researchers. There are significant benefits to the community and the economy from facilitating clinical research and jurisdictions across Australia are recognising, and competing for, the opportunity to support this activity. It is to SA’s advantage to improve our clinical research governance processes to make them faster and more efficient.
The first step is to prioritise the 17 recommendations included in the Review of Research Governance in the Department for Health and Wellbeing and related LHN’s Report commissioned by the Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA) in 2018. Work on the implementation of the prioritised recommendations will commence immediately.
Health Translation SA, whose mission is to accelerate the translation of health and medical research findings into policy, education and clinical practice to improve health outcomes for South Australians, is facilitating this important initiative through a strategic leadership group – SA Clinical Research Governance Steering Committee.

This committee will report to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing and has the support of the Chief Executive of the SA Health Department for Health and Wellbeing and the Chairs and CEO’s of each of the Local Health Network (LHN) Governing Boards.
Recognising the importance of clinical research for the SA economy, there is also wider Government support for this initiative from the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Innovation and Skills all endorsing our endeavours.
The SA Chief Scientist, Professor Caroline McMillen, Chairs the SA Clinical Research Governance Steering Committee to oversee the initiative.
Working groups, consisting of research staff from across SA Health have been established and there will be significant opportunity for engagement with all SA universities, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the Aboriginal Health Council of SA, Industry, Clinical Researchers and other key stakeholders.
SA Clinical Research Governance Steering Committee Members
Professor Caroline McMillen SA’s Chief Scientist (Chair)
Dr Michael Cusack Interim Chief Medical Officer & Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, Department for Health and Wellbeing
Dr Hendrika Meyer Rural Support Service Chief Clinical Adviser, SA Health and Wellbeing
Wendy Keech CEO, Health Translation SA
Lesley Dwyer CALHN CEO
Professor Sue O’Neill SALHN CEO
Jim Birch Expert Adviser
Dirk Beelen Director, Health & Medical Industries, Dept for Trade, Tourism & Investment
Professor Maria Makrides Distinguished Clinical Researcher
Yvette Van Eenennaam General Manager, Adelaide Biomed City
Ben Shores Medical Training and Research Operations, SA Health
Jenny Richter Project Support
Review of Research Governance in the Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA) and related LHNs
View and download the review below

Clinical Research Governance Impact Story
‘South Australia’s research sector is being reset, with patients and the economy set to benefit.’
Read our Impact Story below

Updates
The most recent update on the progress of the implementation of the 17 recommendations of the Birch Review is available here
HTSA held a Forum which provided important information on the status of the implementation of the Birch Review. Further information about the event including a video and presentation is available here
Important Information For Researchers
New SA Health Governance and Ethics Management System
SA Health, with the support of the Hospital Research Foundation, have announced a new Governance and Ethics Management System. The new system is called Research GEMS.
The implementation of a new Research Management System is the first recommendation of the ‘Review of Research Governance in the Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA) and related LHNs’ Report commissioned by the Department for Health and Wellbeing, conducted by Jim Burch, July 2018.
Please ensure you keep yourself up to date on this change which may have an impact on you.
For up to date information, including important dates, on the transition to the new system visit the Research Gems webpage. This is the most relevant and up to date source for information.
For further information please contact us via enquiries@healthtranslationsa.org.au