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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Metabolic health expert talks about healthy ageing
David Beard is a highly experienced Exercise Physiologist with a specialisation in metabolic health and healthy aging. He has spent over 40 years in this profession, even before exercise physiology was formally recognised as a discipline. His extensive background includes over a decade of working in aged care and a strong focus on adult health and fitness. David has authored a book on healthy aging and dedicated the last 10 to 12 years to advancing his expertise in metabolic health issues such as diabetes, weight loss, and inflammatory conditions. He is a co-owner of HFRC in Nedlands, Western Australia, where he has worked for nearly a decade.
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Improving access to osteopathic services and integrated care models
The Chief Executive Officer of Osteopathy Australia, Antony Nicholas spoke with Australian Health Journal about:
– Involvement in the Strengthening Medicare Task Force
– The unique skills osteopaths have that can address the chronic disease burden
– Current workforce issues around osteopaths and if enough are coming through via student placements
– How uploading data to My Health Record by osteopaths could assist team-based care of patients
– How the value of osteopaths in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) could be better understood and better access for residents
– The recommendations around aged care access to allied health services, including osteopathy
– The recommendations around consumer access to osteopaths and GP referrals
– Other osteopathy recommendations in the upcoming Federal BudgetIn 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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Primary care remodelled
Tracey Johnson is the CEO of Inala Primary Care, a not-for-profit general practice located in Inala serving approximately 7000 patients; 4400 of whom attend clinic regularly. Inala is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland and has a population of great cultural and linguistic diversity, with just under 40% of residents speaking English at home. It is also one of Queensland’s most socioeconomically marginalised urban areas.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Tracey on the role of Inala Primary care in reducing hospital admissions.
