International Clinical Trials Day 2026, a year in review: Access to Trials
CLINICAL TRIALS IN REGIONAL, RURAL AND REMOTE AUSTRALIA
With
Amanda Koegelenberg,
CEO, Novatrials
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS DAY SERIES SEGMENT
Filmed in Newcastle, NSW | May 2026
To mark International Clinical Trials Day 2026, Australian Health Journal commences a 4 part special series leading up to 20th May with interviews captured across Australia. Through conversations with leading researchers, clinicians and trial organisations, the series highlights achievements in the year that was for clinical trials. The first segment is an example of how in-person clinical trial access has improved for regional, rural and remote communities.
Novatrials is helping transform access to clinical trials for people living in regional, rural and remote communities across the Hunter New England region and beyond. Based in Newcastle, New South Wales, the organisation was founded with a vision to bring innovative medical treatments closer to communities that have traditionally faced significant travel barriers to access state-of-the-art healthcare.
With the first purpose-built Phase 1 clinical trial facility outside of an Australian capital city, Novatrials is expanding opportunities for participants across Newcastle, the wider Hunter region and regional New South Wales to take part in world-class research closer to home. By conducting Phase 1 through to Phase 4 studies across a range of therapeutic areas, the organisation is helping bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world patient care.
According to CEO Amanda Koegelenberg, the investment in the facility illustrates Novatrials’ commitment to ensuring people in regional and remote areas no longer need to travel vast distances to participate in clinical trials, while also bringing more research investment, innovation and healthcare opportunities into the Hunter New England region.
The segment highlights how Novatrials is working collaboratively with partners including the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Local Health District to strengthen the region’s research ecosystem and improve access to emerging treatments for local communities.
Source: Adapted from transcript using AI
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AHHA Sidney Sax Medal 2019 Awarded to Vicki Wade
AHHA Sidney Sax Medal 2019 awarded to Vicki Wade
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New research papers show productivity gains and gaps
Commissioner Catherine De Fontenay talks about the Productivity Commission’s new approach to analysing health productivity, shifting the perspective from the unit measurement of individuals using the health system to the actual improvement of health. This has shown Australia’s health treatment productivity is improving, but identifies gaps in preventative health measures and duplication, where digital technology needs to be more effectively used.
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Access and productivity outcomes with radiology technology in Western Sydney
In Western Sydney, there is currently significant growth accompanied by a notable need for cardiovascular support due to the prevalence of related diseases. It is estimated that the population in this area will reach 6 million by 2041.
With this population growth, there is also a pressing shortage of healthcare professionals in Australia, particularly in the field of radiology, where there are not enough radiographers, sonographers, MRI technicians, and nuclear medicine technicians.
