The Australian Government has appointed Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb AC, FAA FTSE to lead key reforms as Chair of the Inter-Governmental Policy Reform Group (IGPRG) for health and medical research, including clinical trials.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Mark Butler MP commenting on the selection and appointment said, “Professor Chubb has dedicated his career to improving health and medical research and education in this county and I am pleased he has agreed to share his knowledge and experience through the IGPRG.”
All Australian health ministers agreed to establish the enduring IGPRG, which will provide policy and operational oversight of the National One Stop Shop for health and medical research.
Professor Chubb spoke with Australian Health Journal about his career as Chief Scientist for Australia, personal patient experience with a clinical trial and also the consultation done to date on clinical trial and medical research reform.
The National One Stop Shop Program will transform health and medical research in Australia, by making it easier for patients, researchers and sponsors to find, conduct and participate in clinical trials and research.
It will deliver innovative treatments and improved health outcomes, increase productivity and sustainability in the health system, create jobs and help grow Australia’s innovation economy.
Minister Butler attending the MedTech23 conference hosted by The Medical Technology Association of Australia in Sydney yesterday said,
“A One Stop Shop for cutting-edge clinical trials will ensure that Australian patients and researchers are among the first to benefit from new life-changing and life-saving medicines.
I have asked my department to work with states and territories on the next phase of analysis and platform specification as a priority.“
The IGPRG will also have a key role in implementing and regulating the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework which will ensure a nationally consistent approach to clinical trials.
He has been integral to the development of the One Stop Shop to date, having already led the national consultations on the design of the program.
Representing the medical technology industry MTAA CEO Ian Burgess supported the establishment of the IGPRG and the appointment of Chair Professor Chubb. He added, “There is an opportunity to maximise the potential of clinical trials in Australia by increasing the MedTech clinical trials beyond the 394 currently underway, through the One Stop Shop Program and work of the IGPRG.”
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Lens on patient care & allied health workforce across settings
The CEO of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), Bronwyn Morris-Donovan spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
The structure and priorities for AHPA
The setting and disciplines in Allied Health
Allied Health representation in the Strengthening Medicare Task Force
Importance of a data strategy and interoperability in delivery of allied health services
Key allied health priorities hopefully addressed in Federal Budget.In the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Study reveals socioeconomic barriers to children’s healthcare access
Research published in the Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP) has revealed mental health and developmental–behavioural issues such as ADHD are the most common paediatric referrals in metropolitan general practices.
But the research also revealed children at higher risk are less likely to get the care they may need.
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Diary of a Paramedic in a primary health care clinic
Alecka Miles is a lecturer at Edith Cowan University and works as a paramedic in a multidisciplinary team at Dianella Family Medical Centre in Metropolitan Perth, Western Australia.
Community paramedic roles have a history in Australia, dating back to 2007 in New South Wales and followed by similar initiatives in South Australia and New Zealand. Alecka’s position emerged after she sought to evaluate how paramedics could integrate into general practice, ultimately leading to a job offer post-COVID lockdown in 2020. Her skills, particularly in cannulation, proved valuable as healthcare shifted towards primary care.
