Philanthropic giving for health and medical research is low in comparison with giving to other causes.  Research Australia aims to turn this around through a major national program that will reach business, philanthropy and the community.

In 2007, Research Australia embarked on the establishment of a philanthropic initiative, connecting health and medical researchers with philanthropic supporters.  During the past 18 months they have built resources, systems and networks enabling Research Australia to help philanthropists and researchers ‘Make a Difference’.

The RESEARCH AUSTRALIA PHILANTHROPY TOOLKIT: Giving to Health & Medical Research was launched on 2 Sep 2009 by the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

Research Australia Linkage Program

Research Australia’s linkage program connects Philanthropists with Researchers.  It lowers the barriers for giving by assisting grant makers identify and review research projects, provides administrative efficiencies and transparent governance systems.  An online research register allows researchers to enter their research needs, project outlines and potential community benefits.

Research Australia Philanthropy Toolkit:  Giving to Health and Medical Research

This toolkit contains information, advice and resources to guide and promote philanthropic giving to health and medical research. As a practical resource, it will help those who do the research, and those who seek to support a worthy philanthropic cause. It will also foster improved understanding and encourage mutually beneficial, collaborative and lasting relationships.

Research Australia is a national alliance of over 190 organisations, with a mission to make health and medical research a higher national priority.   Independent of government and not-for-profit, Research Australia's activities are funded by its members, donors and supporters from leading research organisations, academic institutions, philanthropy, community special interest groups, peak industry bodies, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, small businesses and corporate Australia. 

For more information go to http://www.researchaustraliaphilanthropy.org/philanthropy.aspx

The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sydney has launched an exciting new program offering excellent opportunities for postgraduate students in clinical trials. The courses will be rolled out in stages, commencing with the Graduate Certificatein Semester 1, 2010 and are open to registered nurses, allied health/health professionals and biomedical scientists who are either working or planning a career in the area of clinical trials.  . The courses are unique in that they are directly tailored to the educational needs of people engaged in clinical trials.

The Clinical Trials Practice course is offered at three levels;

• Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials Practice (1 year part time)
• Graduate Diploma in Clinical Trials Practice (1 year full time, 2 years part time)
• Master of Clinical Trials Practice (1.5 years full time, 2.5 year part time)

Dr Kathleen Scott is a senior lecturer in the faculty and has been instrumental in the design and implementation of the course. "It is designed to give graduates the necessary background and theory in clinical trials, as well as introduce a range of clinical research skills, such as how to manage and interpret clinical trial data and results.   Sustaining relationships with both patients and fellow professionals working in clinical trials will also be an important focus."

A 4 day course covering an introduction to clinical trials methods, design and management.

This course combines two 2 day courses which encompass a complete introduction to clinical trials. There will be information sessions and interactive small group workshops throughout the 4 days. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from the NHMRC CTC presenters and also to gain insights into the conduct of clinical trials from the other participants in the practical workshops.

This is an introductory course aimed at clinical trials staff that are new to the field. Course content delivery is aimed at attendees having minimal‐intermediate clinical trials knowledge or experience.

ClinicalTrialsNSW are hosting a full day training workshop in conducting medical device clinical trials. The workshop will be presented by Perficio Clinical and Regulatory and held at the Cancer Institute NSW in Eveleigh, Sydney on the 8th October 2009.

The cost of the course will be $660.00 per person (GST inclusive) and is fantastic value for the knowledge you will gain.

The course is open to anyone with an interest in furthering their understanding and knowledge in conducting medical device clinical trials.

Please see the attached brochure and registration form to sign up.

ClinicalTrialsNSW has compiled a calendar of NSW Health HREC meetings to assist researchers in identifying relevant review dates.

The calendar is laid out in chronological order by the date of the HREC committee meeting and also includes information on the submission dates for these meetings, highlights clinical and general lead HREC's and the facilities covered by the HREC. Many of the NSW Health HRECs also have Memorandums Of Understanding in place with institutions outside the public health system too so be sure to refer directly to your HREC for details.

The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre is hosting a workshop for investigators who have an idea for a clinical trial and are suitably qualified individuals pursuing clinical research.

The program costs $100 in administrative fees only so is an excellent opportunity for investigators serious about their clinical trial concepts.

There are requirements to be eligible to enrol in the course so please check the NHMRC Workshop brochure and contact the CTC for further information.

Hello and welcome to the new, freshly painted site of the NSW Clinical Trials Business Development Centre! On this site you will now find additional features such as information for people curious about participating in clinical trials and how to get involved. We have pulled together a list of service providers in NSW for the clinical trial industry and we are very happy to list others not already listed.  So if you would like to be included please contact us with your details.

We have created a calendar of the meeting and submission dates for all the NSW public hospital Human Research Ethics Committees. Perhaps this will help you decide which lead HREC you will choose.

Another useful addition to this site is that you can now request site information from our database online! Earlier in 2009 ClinicalTrialsNSW called for sites wanting to be included on a new site database so they can be contacted for consideration in any new clinical trials, to provide their information. We have around 250 sites listed by therapeutic area and with clinical trial experience documented. This information is freely provided to groups who contact us looking for new sites.

A conference calendar has also been created of relevant industry seminars, conferences and congresses occurring in Australia and elsewhere.

Any feedback regarding our new site would also be welcome so perhaps drop us a line on our contact us page.

We hope this site is more informative, easier to use and assists you in supporting clinical trials in NSW.

Enjoy!

Warm regards,

Catherine and Megan
The ClinicalTrialsNSW Team

NHMRC's Australian Health Ethics Committee has developed a revised Position Statement: Monitoring and Reporting of Safety for Clinical Trials Involving Therapeutic Products. This statement replaces the HREC Alert issued by NHMRC on 18 April 2007 and clarifies the responsibilities of all parties in relation to requirements for safety monitoring, reporting and review in clinical trials.

Relevant Highlights:

The document formalises the use of 6 monthly Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR) listings rather than 4 monthly, and a significant key change regarding suspected unexpected serious adverse reaction reporting:

“Only if the investigator, HREC or sponsor consider it to be necessary because of the risk, size or complexity of the proposed research, is the sponsor required routinely to send individual Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reactions (SUSARs) from Australian or international sites to investigators.”

This means that sending individual safety reports to investigators is no longer required as a minimum requirement leading to a significantly more streamlined process for sponsors and investigators and study coordinators in managing individual SAE reports from all over the globe.  Instead, 6 monthly listings (with sponsor advice in regard planned actions if any) will suffice for investigators and ethics committees as a minimum in Australia.

Please read the document in full which is available on the NHMRC website and distribute to your colleagues.
ARCS are running a seminar to present the benefits and challenges of the new requirements on Mon 27 Jul 2009. Check the ARCS website for details.

In case you missed it, here is a briefing of what the federal Budget held for health and medical clinical research in NSW:

The allocation of $2 billion for Integrated Cancer Centres to support research aimed at improving patient outcomes in regional and rural includes:

• $100 million for the Lifehouse Sydney Cancer Centre at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; and
• $70 million for the expansion of the Garvan St Vincent’s Cancer Centre.

The Hunter Medical Research Institute received $35 million to enhance the research facility development.

Another $20 million will be provided for the construction of a new research facility for the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, based at the St Vincent’s precinct.

The Ingham Health Research Institute at Liverpool received $46.9 million to complete the construction of the multifaceted research facility.

Also announced was the research infrastructure funding to be phased in by 2014:

The Rudd Government has committed $813 million over five years to increase funding for universities' indirect costs of research, such as the equipment and salaries not covered by the award of research grants.

The staged increase is expected to raise funding for indirect costs from about 20c for each dollar of research funding, to 50c, which is seen as the global standard.