Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) researchers will share $1 million in grants across 23 exciting new health and medical research projects.
The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group and Flinders Foundation have each contributed $500,000 to support the most recent SALHN Enquiry Grant Round.
The 23 projects will be led and conducted by staff across SALHN – which includes Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital, the Repat Health Precinct, and community health sites.
Targeting a range of illnesses, diseases and social issues, the research projects stand to directly benefit patients treated across SALHN, with a range of clinical trials, new therapies, ground-breaking research and continuous improvement projects among the successful grants.
These include:
- A novel blood test to monitor treatment of lung cancer without the need for performing invasive biopsies
- Trialling a psychological rehabilitation program to improve symptoms and quality of life in people with long COVID
- Looking at the prevalence of risk factors for liver disease and advanced fibrosis in remote living aboriginal populations
- Establishing a biobank consortium to provide researchers, scientists and clinicians with access to much needed human specimens, tissue and fluid to make world-class discoveries
- Exploring alternative anaesthetic medicines to improve outcomes for neonates and infants undergoing hernia surgery
- Reducing elective surgery waitlists by trialling alternative rapid access options for some minor surgical procedures
Over the next two years, these projects will lead to translational research outcomes.
THRF Group CEO Paul Flynn said the collaborative initiative highlights the “stronger together” approach to fighting deadly disease and illness, effectively doubling the impact for critical research projects that will help save lives in the future.
“We’re pleased to be able to support innovative projects that will pave the way for improved health outcomes for all South Australians which include better treatments, preventative health measures as well as advancements in patient and hospital care, all of them informed by the very latest research outcomes.”
Flinders Foundation Executive Director Ross Verschoor said it was through the generous support of South Australians that medical discoveries and improved care are made possible.
“The health system has been under immense pressure over the past few years, but despite this, the hard-working staff across SALHN are using their expertise and first-hand knowledge to improve health outcomes for our community and improve the way care is delivered in the future.
“Finders Foundation is proud to support SALHN in its efforts to enhance care through research and looks forward to celebrating the impact of these research projects in South Australia, nationally and globally.”
SALHN CEO Kerrie Freeman said the innovative research projects would help improve the lives of South Australians into the future.
“I would like to thank our dedicated clinicians and researchers who collaborate to bring research to the forefront and, importantly, translate it into practice to make a difference in the lives of others.
“These quiet heroes spend their days working on research that can really change lives.
“I would also like to acknowledge our donors and members of the community who take part in our trials, who contribute a great deal to research, that couldn’t be done without them.”
