- $11.3 million Australian TeleTrial Program now
underway in regional WA
- Albany Health Campus to take part in first teletrial
as part of renowned Vitafoot diabetes study
- Additional trials set to accept regional
participants over the next two years
For the first time, patients living in regional Western Australia will be
able to take part in cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home, with the
launch of WA Country Health Service's $11.3 million TeleTrial Program.
The initiative will connect patients living in regional areas with Perth-based
and interstate research programs, trial treatments and monitoring using
state-of-the-art telehealth technology.
It will bring potentially life-saving treatment closer to home for some
of regional WA's most vulnerable patients.
The landmark initiative recently got underway at Albany Health Campus with
Great Southern based patients welcomed into Fiona Stanley Hospital's Vitafoot
diabetes study.
A digital three-dimensional wound imaging system has
been installed at Albany Health Campus and will be used by local clinicians to
monitor and analyse changes to participants' foot conditions over a 12-week
period.
Albany doctors, nurses and the allied health team will work with lead
researchers from Fiona Stanley Hospital's Multidisciplinary Diabetes Foot Ulcer
team using videoconferencing technology.
The Silhouette wound management system will remain in Albany long-term
to help local clinicians prevent, diagnose and treat diabetes-related foot
conditions.
WA Country Health Service secured the $11.3 million TeleTrial funding
over five years from the Commonwealth Government's Medical Research Future
Fund.
Comments attributed to Medical Research
Minister Stephen Dawson:
"For the first
time, regional Western Australians can now take part in potentially life-saving
clinical trials and stay in their local communities.
"It means that
someone who might be identified as suitable for a trial can now say yes
regardless of their postcode, improving access and equity for regional
residents.
"I congratulate
the dedicated teams in Albany and at Fiona Stanley Hospital who have worked
hard to recruit the first regional participants in the Vitafoot study.
"Importantly,
country clinicians now have opportunities to pursue their passion for research
while continuing to live and work in regional WA.
"It's part of the
Cook Government's commitment to attracting and retaining the brightest and
best, to safeguard the health of country communities."
Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca
Stephens:
"It's great to see
this innovative program being rolled out in Albany.
"For the first time,
patients in the Great Southern will be able to get involved in potentially life
changing trials, without leaving the comfort of their hometown.
"I thank the local researchers and participants
for their involvement in this scheme, which will no doubt have success in other
regions in the future."
