Category: News

This year a special initiative in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is being offered through NHMRC Partnership Projects, with support from the Department of Health. Special Initiatives are health areas in which additional funding from other parties is used to support research.

This special initiative provides the opportunity for community organisations that are contributing to health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to develop a relationship with a researcher, to strengthen the evidence in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and obesity research.

More information on the initiative can be found in Section 9 of the Partnership Projects scheme-specific funding rules available via the Partnership Projects Grant Opportunity on GrantConnect.

Applications for this opportunity opened in RGMS today, Wednesday 17 January 2018. We are hoping you might be able to help us promote this initiative on your website and via social media by re-tweeting NHMRC’s promotional tweet that was posted this morning. We are also hoping you will share this information with Indigenous researchers involved in your organisation.

We have included a blurb below to help with your communications activities:

Partnership Projects Special Initiative

In 2018, a special initiative in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is being offered through Partnership Projects with support from the Department of Health. The special initiative provides the opportunity for community organisations that are contributing to health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to develop a relationship with a researcher, to strengthen the evidence in Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and obesity research.

Please see section 9 of the Partnership Projects scheme-specific funding rules available via the Partnership Projects Grant Opportunities on GrantConnect.

Key application dates

Partnership Projects—opens for applications in RGMS on Wednesday 17 January 2018.

Further Information

Further information on the Special Initiative can be found on the GrantConnect website. Type in key words such as Partnerships Projects or NHMRC to help you find full details. NHMRC Help Centre can also provide information on the Special Initiative: Phone: 1800 500 983, Email: help@nhmrc.gov.au

In the 2017 Federal Budget, $10million was allocated to the 7 accredited AHRTC’s and the 2 accredited CIRH’s; $2million to each of the 4 initial AHRTC’s (South Australia, Monash, Melbourne and Sydney) and $2million to be shared across all centres for programs of national significance. The accredited centres comprise membership of the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA), which agreed on 4 areas of support; health care systems; data handling and security; Aboriginal Health; Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in health research. WAHTN has representation on steering committees for all these initiatives, and co-chairs the CCI initiative with Sydney Partners.

The budget allocation for the shared programs is $222K per centre. WAHTN will use that money to drive three initiatives: 1. Consumer and Community Initiatives (CCI) Project (led by John Challis, Anne McKenzie and Pip Brennan); 2. Raine Secure Data Project (led by Leon Straker and Peter Eastwood); 3. Biobank Project (led by Aron Chakera).

Project outlines and deliverables are as follows:

1. Consumer and Community Initiatives (CCI) Project
Description: Consumers increasingly are involved in the design, conduct and output translation of biomedical and health research. Consumer involvement in biomedical research speeds and enhances the quality of translation of research outcomes. Presently there is no proper assessment of consumer involvement across Australia, no national standard and no comparison with international best practice. This project will provide an environmental scan of CCI activities across the AHRA network, make comparison to international (including UK, Canada, USA) efforts and recommend models to enhance consumer involvement in health research across the country.

Outcomes: Include a report scan of Australian CCI, comparison with international best practice and recommendation for implementation in Australia.

2. Raine Secure Data Project
Description: Australian health and medical research is increasingly collaborative across institutions, states and countries. Collaborative teams require secure analysis and archive spaces that are well governed, easy to access, technically secure, provide the appropriate analytic tools and can archive completed analyses for peer scrutiny subsequent to their publication. This project will develop a secure data analysis and archive space, using the Raine Cohort as exemplar that can then be developed and applied nationally.

Outcomes: Include a pilot study of processes and software developed to enhance data security in a known cohort, the Raine Study, and make recommendations for future development and scale.

3. Biobank Project
Description: There is a need in WA, and elsewhere to establish a harmonised sample collection, storage, curation and management system, that will allow ethically acceptable standardisation across cohorts and registries. The project, which can be scaled to national activity, will produce an international scan of biobank resources, facilities ethics and economics across Australia, the UK and Japan. In Japan, the Sendai experience has generated a facility that is an international exemplar of excellence. Business models will be compared leading to a recommendation for establishment of a facility that will be State wide, and harmonised with the best comparators in the Country.

Outcomes: Include a scan and report of biobank facilities and resources in WA, best in Australia, UK, USA and Japan and recommendations for implementation at a local, state and national scale.

Professor Gary Geelhoed has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN).

Gary is currently the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the WA Department of Health, having worked at the Department since 2013. In addition to his role as CMO, Gary also held the position of Assistant-General of the Clinical Services and Research division at the Department of Health. He completed his MBBS at UWA and has held senior positions in hospitals and the Health Department. He has served on numerous WA and national health committees and brings substantial expertise to the position. Gary has actively worked to forge closer ties between WA hospitals and the research community to promote greater innovation and best practice in clinical care. He was involved in the establishment of the WAHTN as a NHMRC-recognised Advanced Health and Research Translational Centre (AHRTC). Gary commences a three-year appointment at WAHTN in April 2018.

WAHTN expresses its sincere appreciation for the immense contribution of the retiring Executive Director, Professor John Challis and wish him the very best as he heads back to Vancouver. John commenced at UWA as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Medical Research) in February 2014. He provided leadership in driving local, national and international collaboration, to build capacity in key areas of strength, and to advise on infrastructure and investment. He was instrumental in promoting the WAHTN towards its recognition as an AHRTC operating at an international level. This state-wide health translation initiative involves the Department of Health, WA universities, Medical Research Institutes and the State’s teaching hospitals, working together to accelerate the translation of research and innovation into clinical care. In September 2015, John became the inaugural WAHTN Director and steered this network to develop into a strong entity. He also initiated the Science on the Swan Conference in Perth, which has now become an annual fixture for medical professionals.

Call for Applications – Closing Date: 1:00pm, Tuesday 13 February 2018

The Telethon-Perth Children’s Hospital Research Fund (TPCHRF) was established by the Department of Health and Channel 7 Telethon Trust. It funds health and medical research that focuses on the health of children and adolescents in WA.

Please see attached information

The annual event hosted by the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA) and Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN) was held on Wednesday the 6th December at the State Reception Centre in Kings Park. 251 delegates from corporate, academic and government sectors attended the business breakfast.

The Hon Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health delivered a keynote address on behalf of the Western Australian State Government, followed by an informal Q&A discussion led by the Chief Scientist of WA, Professor Peter Klinken AC.

Delegates also heard from John Cluer, Chief Executive of the AICC(WA) who spoke about AICC initiatives supporting Australia-Israel relations and Professor Steve Wilton, Foundation Chair in Molecular Therapies, Murdoch University, who presented on the exemplary work being done in research translation regarding Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Other highlights included a presentation by The Hon Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC CitWA, chair of WAHTN, who discussed the power of collaboration.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Professor John Challis, Executive Director, WAHTN.

This was the 2nd year in the series of the AICC(WA) / WAHTN Annual Event’s. In 2016 we featured Professor Anne Kelso AO from the National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC) speaking on “Medical research in the 21st century”.

From L to R – Professor Steve Wilton, Foundation Chair in Molecular Therapies, Murdoch University and Director, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC CitWA, Independent Chair, WAHTN Executive Board, The Honourable Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health, Western Australian State Government, Professor John Challis, Executive Director, WA Health Translation Network (WAHTN), Professor Peter Klinken AC, Chief Scientist of Western Australia & WAHTN Executive Board and Mr John Cluer, Chief Executive, Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA).

The Western Australia Health Translation Network attended the 2017 AusBiotech conference, held in Adelaide in October. The AusBiotech conference is the leading life sciences event in Australia attended by national and international delegates. Conference exhibitors included representatives from a variety of Australian biotechnology research organisations and commercial entities; including medical therapeutics and medical technology groups. The purpose of WAHTN’s attendance was to develop our networks, advertise our partners and propagate the narrative of WA-based medical research by promoting past achievements and future opportunities relating to biotechnology and medical research in WA.

The ‘Team Perth’ pavilion took the form of a 6 x 6 metre space within the industry exhibition hall, open to all conference delegates from Wednesday 25th – Friday 27th October 2017. The pavilion consisted of nine Perth based organisations; WAHTN, the City of Perth, Linear, SUDA, Murdoch University, the Telethon Kids Institute, the University of WA, Proteomics and Epichem. Each were provided with a lockable cupboard and printed panel to showcase their own materials and brand. WAHTN provided delegates with several promotional flyers advertising WAHTN and the WAHTN Enabling Platforms including; the Clinical Trials Network, the Australian National Phenome Centre, the Research Education and Training Platform and the WA Cohorts Network. Additionally, we worked with Linear and the City of Perth to produce a short video, shot using drone footage to showcasing our partner institutions.

Involvement in this event has resulted in WAHTN developing a stronger relationship with the peak body for biotechnology and medical technology, AusBiotech, which will provide exciting opportunities for the future. This is anticipated to lead to more events, support, and opportunities to network with national and international investors.

Project introduction
The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) are currently seeking expressions of interest for an experienced and motivated individual to undertake a comprehensive literature review as part of the development of a WA Aboriginal Youth Health Strategy.

The literature review is designed to provide a supportive framework for the strategy by:
– Contextualising the findings of the strategy consultation;
– Supporting and justifying the implementation of the strategy outcomes and recommendations;
– Identifying gaps in research and programs for Aboriginal youth in WA and guiding future strategies.

This opportunity will provide the successful applicant with a unique insight and experience to the WA Aboriginal Health sector.

Background
The Aboriginal Youth Health Strategy will inform and guide health-related services and stakeholders working with young Aboriginal people to deliver effective services that optimise the health and wellbeing of young Aboriginal people in WA. The primary target group for this strategy is stakeholders delivering health related services and programs to Aboriginal youth in WA. The secondary target group is Aboriginal youth aged 10-25 years living in WA.

The development of this strategy is being guided by a state-wide consultation with Aboriginal youth aged 10-25 years of age, and the Aboriginal health sector. This consultation is currently underway and consists of face-to-face workshops and two online surveys.

Project Overview

Targeting the most relevant research and other literature, the literature review should include:
– A brief overview of the demographics of Aboriginal youth in WA (ages, locations etc.)
– Information on the health issues affecting Aboriginal youth in WA (in the last 5 years)
– A description of the kinds of programs/strategies that have been successful in achieving better health outcomes for Aboriginal youth in WA. This should consider whether there are programs that are better suited for specific regions, genders or, age groups.
– An overview of current policies, frameworks and strategies that relate to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal youth in WA.

Specifics:
– The review should include high quality articles and information from other Australian states and territories as well as international studies (ensuring relevance to Aboriginal youth in WA).
– Can include grey literature.
– No specific reference style is preferred.
– A minimum of 30 references and a maximum of 10,000 words.
– No formal cover sheet or design is required.

Timeframe:
50 hours.

Suggested approach:
– 16-20 hours – research, review and analysis;
– 18- 22 hours – evaluation and writing;
– 4-8 hours – review and edits.

Timeline:
Commencement: 27 November 2017
Preliminary summary: 15 December 2017
Completion: 8 January 2018.

Remuneration:
$2,300 (based on a 50-hour project life cycle)

Terms to consider for the Literature review
– Aboriginal youth: For the purpose of this literature review the term “Aboriginal Youth” will be used throughout. Aboriginal youth is defined as being any person living in WA who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is between the ages of 10-25 years.
– Health-related services: It is acknowledged that many services available to young people are not strictly types of primary health care, but will bring health benefits to those young people (e.g. housing and accommodation services). For the purpose of this literature review, health-related services include any service or program that has the potential to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal youth.
Selection criteria:
– Completion or working towards completion of an undergraduate or post-graduate qualification in a relevant field (i.e. Public Health, Community Development, Social Science, Aboriginal Health and/or Youth health);
– Demonstrable experience undertaking research, analysis and evaluation of literature;
– Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write concise, high quality and client focussed papers;
– Ability to work proactively, independently and meet deadlines.

Further Information
For further information about this literature review, please contact Sarah Calder on (08) 9227 1631 during normal business hours.

To Apply
Formal expressions of interest can be forwarded to Sarah Calder via email: application@ahcwa.org
Applicants must provide the following information in their application:
1. Brief summary of credentials and experience relevant to this project
2. Current copy of your resume

Closing Date
Applications close 5:00pm Thursday 16 November 2017.

Job description AHCWA

Australian innovators in 3D printing and precision medicine can now apply for finance after a call was put out for ­expressions of ­interest for a slice of $35 million in government funding.

The first $5m will consist of $3m for ideas in precision medicine, a new approach for disease treatment and prevention, and $2m for ways to ­develop 3D anatomical printing for everyday medical use.

The first $5m will be available through the Biotech Horizons program and will be managed by MTPConnect the medical technologies and pharmaceuticals industry growth centre.

MTPConnect chief executive Sue MacLeman said 3D anatomical printing and precision medicine had been identified for the first share of funding because Australia punched above its weight in those areas.

Important Dates:

• Expressions of interest open: 1 November 2017
• Closing date for EOI: 10 December 2017
• Closing date for stage 2 applications: 15 January 2018
• Announcement of successful applications: expected late February 2018

For more information and EOI forms, visit  www.mtpconnect.org.au/biomedtechhorizons.