- $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.
As stated by 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."
As stated by 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."
