The HCF Research Foundation, Australia's largest non-government funder of health services research, has announced the latest outcomes of its prestigious Translational Research Grants (TRG).
The four pioneering projects focus on workforce optimisation and patient-centred solutions, translating cutting-edge research into practical applications that improve safety, enhance care, and tackle real-world healthcare challenges in hospital care, aged care, and addiction recovery.
Dr Chris Pettigrew, Head of the HCF Research Foundation, shared the significance of the awards: "Our TRG scheme bridges the gap between research and real-world application, equipping healthcare providers with the tools to implement innovations that make a tangible difference. These grants are more than research; they're investments in better care and healthier outcomes for Australians."
2024 Translational Research Grant Recipients
HIRAID® Inpatient: Improving the safety and quality of nursing care for hospital patients
Led by lead investigator Kate Curtis, University of Sydney Professor of Trauma and Emergency Nursing, the HIRAID® Inpatient framework aims to prevent avoidable patient harm in hospitals, a significant issue costing $4.1 billion annually.
The HIRAID® program was shown to be effective in emergency departments, and by adapting the proven program for general hospital wards, the framework will be Australia's first standardised, whole-of-patient nursing assessment tool.
With nurses as front-line patient advocates, HIRAID® Inpatient is expected to reduce deterioration, infection, and adverse events by empowering nurses to deliver comprehensive and consistent care.
BOOST (Better Outcomes for the Older Surgical Patient) Trial – A staggered implementation trial in emergency and elective surgery
Led by University of Newcastle Conjoint Associate Professor Christine O'Neill, an endocrine subspecialist and general surgeon, the BOOST trial integrates specialised geriatric care into surgical teams.
Building on successful trials at John Hunter Hospital that enhanced recovery, shortened stays, and reduced complications, this research will study the expansion of the service to other areas of surgery (elective general, urology and vascular).
The team expect that by focusing on holistic, team-based care, they can improve outcomes and independence for older patients while reducing strain on hospital resources.
Translating a metropolitan aged care nurse practitioner model to a rural residential care setting to optimise primary care outcomes
Led by Hunter Primary Care Service Manager Leigh Darcy, this project is designed to expand access to primary care in rural areas, testing a successful metropolitan aged care Nurse Practitioner (NP) model in regional settings. In collaboration with the University of Newcastle and healthcare professionals, NPs offer specialised care for elderly residents, often managing multiple chronic conditions.
The project will assess how this model, which has shown high effectiveness in urban areas, performs in rural communities where residents face more significant care barriers. The expansion could lead to broader implementation, improving rural healthcare equity.
REC-CAP - Piloting a digital recovery platform to support healthcare peer workers in improving patients' alcohol and drug outcomes
Led by Dr Ari Roxburgh at Eastern Health, this project introduces REC-CAP, a digital tool designed to empower peer workers with lived experience in addiction recovery to better support patients in overcoming their addictions. REC-CAP enables peer workers to help patients create personalised recovery plans by identifying their strengths, addressing challenges, and setting achievable goals.
This collaborative approach focuses on building essential "recovery capital" – the personal and social resources needed for long-term recovery – through specific strategies such as fostering connections with others in recovery, developing coping skills, and engaging in activities that build resilience and confidence.
By providing structured support during the high-risk post-withdrawal period, REC-CAP aims to reduce detox re-admissions and improve overall patient outcomes, while giving peer workers and healthcare professionals a standardised framework for delivering effective and consistent care.
Driving Better Health Outcomes for All Australians
With over $1.4 million invested in these Translational Research Grants, the HCF Research Foundation is committed to making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and impactful. "Beyond funding, our mission is to ensure that effective innovations in healthcare research reach Australians when and where they are needed most," said Dr Pettigrew.
