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 Minister Ridgeway (Trade, Tourism & Investment) and Minister Pisoni (Innovation & 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.

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