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
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 Minister Ridgeway (Trade, Tourism & Investment) and Minister Pisoni (Innovation & Skills) all endorsing our endeavours.
The SA Chief Scientist, Professor Caroline McMillen, will chair the SA Clinical Research Governance Steering Committee to oversee the initiative.
Members include:
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
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
Working groups, consisting of research staff from across SA Health will be 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.
Review of Research Governance in the Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA) and related LHNs
To view and download the review please click the button below
The Forum
In the afternoon of Tuesday 18 February, approximately 100 members of the South Australian health and research community attended a Forum to receive an update on the current status of the clinical research governance work being facilitated by Health Translation SA. This important work focused on the implementation of 17 recommendations included in the Review of Research Governance in the Department for Health and Wellbeing and related Local Health Network’s (LHN) Report (the Birch Review).
Opened by South Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Caroline McMillen, the event included an inspiring presentation from Southern Adelaide Local Health Network CEO, Sue O’Neill, on raising the profile of clinical research across the health system. SA Health staff provided progress updates on specific recommendations including the development of key performance indicators, implementing a new research management system and the fast tracking of low to negligible risk applications. The video and presentations from the day are available below.
