NHMRC Health Tracker
Health Tracker – May 2012 edition
Australian Society for Medical Research’s (ASMR) Research Week: 1 – 8 June
Across Australia, ASMR is running a series of networking opportunities to promote the benefits of health and medical research to the Australian public.
NHMRC supports ASMR’s Research Week to encourage the cross-fertilisation of ideas between different disciplines and to advocate scientific endeavour.
Further information on ASMR’s Research Week is available from the ASMR website.
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) Clinical Trials Research Summit: 18 May 2012
The aim of the MJA Clinical Summit is to identify improvements to systems and structural support for clinical trials groups. NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson’s talk at the summit is available from the NHMRC website.
The summit program is available on the MJA website (PDF, 1.81MB).
Guideline Developers Network: next meeting 24 May, Melbourne
Places at the workshop are limited. Please email clinicalguidelines@nhmrc.gov.au for more information.
Infection prevention and control resources for residential aged care and community care
NHMRC has drafted a pocket book and poster providing advice on infection prevention and control for residential and community aged care settings. These are currently being pilot tested in ACT, NSW, WA and NT.
NHMRC Council will advise on the final resources later in 2012.
Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of overweight and obesity in adults, children and adolescents / Management of borderline personality disorder
Public consultation for these two draft guidelines has now closed. The guideline committees will now consider the feedback received from submissions, before the guidelines are reviewed by independent expert reviewers and submitted to NHMRC Council for advice.
Health Tracker – April 2012 edition
NHMRC’s submission to Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia: now online
Submissions closed on 30 March, with over 300 submissions received. To read NHMRC’s submission, visit the NHMRC website.
Public consultations schedule: Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia
The review panel is currently conducting public consultations in all capital cities. This is an important opportunity for all members of the health and medical research sector to present their views to the Review, which will report to the Australian Government at the end of 2012.
Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Draft Clinical Practice Guidelines open for public consultation
- Management of overweight and obesity in adults, children and adolescents – closing 30 April
- Management of borderline personality disorder – closing 14 May
Both guidelines are available from the NHMRC’s Public Consultations website.
Guideline Developers Network: next meeting 24 May, Melbourne
Places at the workshop are limited. Please email clinicalguidelines@nhmrc.gov.au for more information.
NHMRC Research Translation Faculties
NHMRC will soon be inviting its funded researchers to join Clinical Research Translation and Population Health Research Translation Faculties.
This is also advance notice of the Inaugural NHMRC Clinical Research Translation Symposium to be held in Melbourne on 24 October 2012. This will be followed by a Population Health Research Translation Symposium in 2013.
More information on all of these activities will be made available shortly.
NHMRC’s progress on report recommendations by Clinical Trials Action Group
Further information is on the NHMRC Human Research Ethics Portal.
Health Tracker – March 2012 edition
Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia: submissions close 30 March 2012
NHMRC’s new page features resources that may be of assistance to organisations and individuals who may be preparing a submission to the review. Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Further information on the review is available at the McKeon Review website.
Partnership Projects: changes to application rules
Applications for NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health – Partnership Projects will open on 18 April 2012. Changes to application processes for this scheme will mean applicants will be able to apply at any time during the year, instead of through one annual round.
When applications close on 19 June 2012, the next round will open immediately and it is anticipated that a third round will open before the end of 2012.
Further information will be available on the NHMRC website from 18 April.
New Partnership Centre to tackle lifestyle-related chronic health problems from a systems perspective
NHMRC has issued a call for an investigator team for the new Partnership Centres for Better Health program.
The second centre is a $4.2 million per year partnership between NHMRC, the Australian National Preventive Health Agency, NSW Health, Queensland Health and ACT Health. Applications close 5pm AEST on 11 April 2012.
Further information is on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC emergency department stroke and transient ischaemic attack care bundle: evaluation report now available
This report evaluated the use of a care bundle approach to improve the uptake of guideline recommendations in a targeted clinical setting. The report and more information is available on the NHMRC website.
Overview of National Pain Management Initiative and its outcomes: final report now available
The final report of the National Pain Management Initiative, which has improved pain management in Australian Emergency Departments, is now available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC approved third party guidelines now available on NHMRC website
- Patient blood management guidelines module 2: perioperative
- Clinical Practice Guideline for Surveillance Colonoscopy - in adenoma follow-up; following curative resection of colorectal cancer; and for cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease
Consultations expected in coming months
- Management of Borderline Personality Disorder
- Management of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents and children
The draft guidelines will be available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC Health Tracker - February 2012
New Partnership Centre to tackle lifestyle-related chronic health problems from a systems perspective
NHMRC has issued a Call for an Investigator Team for the new Partnership Centres for Better Health program.
The second centre is a $5 million per year partnership between NHMRC, the Australian National Preventive Health Agency, NSW Health, Queensland Health and ACT Health. Applications close 11 April 2012.
Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Australian Dietary Guidelines: Comment period closing 29 February
NHMRC welcomes public comment on the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Submissions close 29 February 2012.
Further information is on the Eat for Health website.
Invitation to attend Alcohol Data workshop on 7 March
NHMRC is hosting an Alcohol Data workshop to facilitate quality research informed by useful and consistent data on alcohol-related harm.
Speakers from the academic, health and crime prevention sectors will discuss the barriers for accessing research data, the quality and consistency of data and where improvements may be made.
Although the workshop has a restricted invitation list to ensure coverage of key areas, please contact NHMRC if you are interested in attending: pchc@nhmrc.gov.au
Now available: Cancer Cluster Statement
This public statement provides information on what a cancer cluster is, and supports guidelines issued by state and territory health departments and cancer councils.
Available from the NHMRC website.
Now available: Background and issues paper on ‘Ethics and the exchange and commercialisation of products derived from human tissue’
This paper explores ethical considerations for the use of human tissue derivatives including in medical testing, research and reconstructive surgery products.
Available from the NHMRC website.
NHMRC Health Tracker - January 2012
10 of the Best 2011 launch
NHMRC’s flagship publication, 10 of the Best Research Projects (2011), will be launched on 9 February at the Canberra office of NHMRC.
10 of the Best showcases outstanding NHMRC-funded research projects from across the country. The selection of these projects was based on their innovation, their significance and the strength of the science and outcomes.
The webcast of the launch event will be available from the NHMRC website, along with a pdf of the 2011 publication. To view past editions of 10 of the Best, please visit the NHMRC website.
First Partnership Centre Call for investigator team
Applications are now being accepted for the new NHMRC Partnership Centre Program on Dealing with Cognitive and Related Functional Decline in the Elderly. Funding of up to $5 million per year will be provided by NHMRC and its partners to the successful investigator team.
Applications close at 5pm (AEDST) on 24 February 2012. Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Reminder: Mental Health Targeted Call for Research (TCR) applications to be commenced by 8 February
All applications for the Mental Health TCR must be commenced in RGMS by 5pm (AEDST) 8 February 2012. These applications must contain the minimum data to allow the NHMRC to start sourcing peer reviewers. Applications close 4 April 2012.
Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Australian Dietary Guidelines: public consultation now open
Submissions are invited for the NHMRC’s public consultation on the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. These documents have been developed using the latest evidence and expert opinion.
For more information, please visit the Eat for Health website or email publichealthenquiries@nhmrc.gov.au
A*STAR / NHMRC joint symposium in February
Registrations are now open for the A*STAR / NHMRC joint symposium on Combating Emerging Infectious Diseases through Integrative Technology Approaches.
This free symposium will be held in Singapore from 27 - 28 February 2012. Sessions include:
- TB biology
- Influenza biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Integrating technology and biology.
Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Reminder: NHMRC 75th anniversary scientific symposium presentations available
Esteemed Australian and international researchers delivered interesting and informative presentations during the symposium which are available for viewing. Speakers included:
- Professor Ian Frazer and Mr Will Delaat, who offered an insight into the pharmaceutical industry and conducting translational research
- Professor Michael Valenzuela, who talked about his research on dementia in dogs and what this means for us
- Professor Tasuku Honjo, who offered a profile of ageing in Japan and an overview of Japanese research on ageing.
Visit the NHMRC website for these, and other fascinating talks.
NHMRC Health Tracker - December 2011
NHMRC Partnership Projects funding scheme: change in process
Partnership Project grants support health policy and practice research in collaboration with partner organisations in the public, NGO and private sectors. To ensure they better fit the needs of the partners, we are changing the process for application and review of Partnerships Projects. Research Committee has agreed that applications will be able to be submitted at any time, beginning April 2012, with review at 3-4 intervals annually. This will allow applicants to apply with their partners whenever they have secured agreements.
Details of the revised process will be available soon. Further information is on the NHMRC website.
Australian Dietary Guidelines: invitation to comment
NHMRC invites comment on the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Public Consultation closes on 29 February 2012.
More information is available from the NHMRC Eat for Health website.
$114.2 million investment in health and medical research
Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek announced a further $114.2 million investment in health and medical research for Program Grants, Development Grants and Postgraduate Scholarships. More information on the outcomes of these schemes is available on the NHMRC website.
NHMRC 75th anniversary scientific symposium presentations
Video of presentations and speeches made at the NHMRC 75th Anniversary Scientific Symposium are now available on our website.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the event.
New Clinical Practice Guideline for prevention and management of venous leg ulcers
The Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guideline for prevention and management of venous leg ulcers has been approved by the NHMRC and is available from the Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal. The guideline was developed by the Australian Wound Management Association in conjunction with the New Zealand Wound Care Society.
New NHMRC Acute Pain-Management Manual for Emergency Clinicians
The new Manual is a practical resource designed to support emergency clinicians to identify evidence-based quality pain management options. This resource has been endorsed by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, the College of Emergency Nurses Australasia and the Australian College of Emergency Nursing. The Manual is available from the NHMRC website.
National Evidence-Based Clinical Care Guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes
This NHMRC-approved guideline was developed by the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group and the Australian Diabetes Society and is an update of the Clinical practice guidelines: Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents (2005).
The scope of the guideline has been extended to address the needs of adults and the transition period from adolescence to adulthood, including pregnancy. This is the first Australian evidence-based guideline for Type 1 diabetes that addresses clinical care across the whole lifespan.
The Guideline is available through the Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal.
Guidelines for Screening, Assessment and Treatment in Problem Gambling
These national, evidence-based guidelines were approved by the NHMRC and developed by the Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Centre. They are available through the Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal.
NHMRC/Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) Fellowships successful recipients
More information about the recipients is available on the NHMRC website.
Reminder: Draft revisions to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007)
The Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) has revised Chapter 3.4_6: Human biospecimens (including cell lines) which replaces both the current Chapter 3.4: Human tissue samples and Chapter 3.6: Human stem cells and Chapter 3.2: Databanks and paragraphs 3.5.8(a) and 5.1.22. These are currently out for consultation.
NHMRC invites submissions, which can be made via the NHMRC’s public consultation website by 11 January 2012.
NHMRC Health Tracker - October/ November 2011
$673.3 Million for Biggest Ever Investment in Health and Medical Research
The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced the single largest investment in grants for health and medical research in Australian history on 17 October.
The Australian Government is providing $673.7 million through the NHMRC for 1,140 grants to support researchers, research projects and research institutions Australia-wide.
This funding will particularly support 9 Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowships, 13 Partnership Project grants, 6 Clinical Research, 5 in population health, 4 in health services research and 15 Centres of Research Excellence (CREs) for a total value of over $37.3 Million.
This funding will directly enhance the capacity of Australia’s health and medical research system to leverage off collaborative arrangements, close the gap between benchtop and bedside (through TRIP Fellowships), and directly advise policy makers (through Partnership Project Grants).
The new CREs will build capacity, support research that will lead to improved community health outcomes, and ensure effective translation of research outcomes in identified priority areas.
Ensuring Healthy Water for All Australians
The revised NHMRC Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and expanded Community Water Planner tool were released on Friday 28 October.
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines establish a pro-active risk based approach to ensure clean, safe drinking water. It is used by catchment and water resource managers, drinking water suppliers, water regulators and health authorities.
Supported by the National Water Commission, the Community Water Planner will help small, rural, remote and Indigenous communities produce water safety plans tailored to their needs.
New guidelines to Manage Volatile Substances Use
Volatile substance use (VSU) - inhaling solvents, gases and aerosols for intoxication - is a significant problem in some Australian communities.
Australia’s first consensus-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Volatile Substance Use in Australia, supported by a quick-reference summary, was released on 28 October.
Public Consultation on now ………………
Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest: Draft Policies for NHMRC Committees and Working Groups Developing Guidelines
We are consulting on policies and guidelines on the identification and management of conflicts of interest for NHMRC committees and working groups developing guidelines. Managing conflict of interest ensures the integrity of health advice. Consultation closes on 2 December 2011 with all relevant documents available online.
Draft Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers
Protecting health in early childhood can lead to better health outcomes later in life. We are consulting on new guidelines, including advice and recommendations for health professionals on breastfeeding, formula feeding and the introduction of appropriate foods for infants and toddlers from birth to approximately one to two years. Consultation closes on 5 December 2011 with all relevant documents available online.
Revisions to the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes
The code of practice aims to ensure the ethical and humane care and use of animals for scientific purposes. It covers all aspects of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in medicine, biology, agriculture, animal sciences, along with industry and teaching. Consultation closes on 2 December 2011 with all relevant documents available online.
NHMRC Health Tracker - September 2011 edition
75 years of working to build a healthy Australia
The NHMRC was established on 24 September 1936 to provide considered, authoritative and timely advice to the Commonwealth and State Governments on health and ethical issues and to support medical and public health research to help improve the health of all Australians.
This year marks 75 years of NHMRC’s contributions to public health, ethics and medical research. A key event of the anniversary commemorations will be a scientific symposium, Research for a Healthy Future.
Further information on the symposium will be available on the NHMRC website in the coming months.
On the eve of the anniversary, NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson AM reflects on the enormous contribution health and medical research has made to the well-being of all Australians over this time, on the NHMRC website.
Update from NHMRC Council and Principal Committees
The next meeting of the Council of NHMRC will be 6 October. Council will discuss better management of conflicts of interest, developments in research translation, cancer clusters and Australian Dietary Guidelines, as well as recommendations from Research Committee on funding recommendations.
NHMRC’s principal advisory committees’ key agenda items include:
- Health Care Committee: Thermal imaging for diagnosis, advice for health practitioners on complementary or alternative medicine, ADHD clinical practice points, comparative effectiveness research, genetic testing and regenerative medicine.
- Prevention and Community Health Committee: workshops on alcohol data and public health, obesity and opt-out consent.
- Human Genetics Advisory Committee: whole of genome sequencing in clinical practice, genetic testing and insurance, gene patents and personalised medicine.
- Australian Health Ethics Committee: human bio-specimens, quality assurance activities in health, consent issues in population studies, role of research institutions and institutional Health Research Ethics Committee.
NHMRC Announcing Major Research Grants
The Hon Mark Butler, Minster for Mental Health and Ageing, will announce funded grants in NHMRC major schemes, including Project Grants and Fellowships in the week commencing 17 October 2011.
New Ethical Guidelines for Transition into Palliative Care
Health professionals, and consumers with advanced chronic or terminal conditions who are making the transition to palliative care, now have access to NHMRC’s new ethical guidelines and consumer information, to ensure they are fully informed about their care choices. Available from the NHMRC website.
Clinical Practice Points: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
New Clinical Practice Points (CPPs) to advise clinicians on best practice in the diagnosis, assessment and management of ADHD in children and adolescents are currently being developed by an NHMRC expert committee.
Guideline Developers Network Update
The Guideline Developers Network was established by the NHMRC to enable organisations and individuals involved in the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines to share knowledge, experience and collaborations.
The proceedings from a Guideline Developers Network Workshop held in June this year are now available from the NHMRC website.
The next workshop will be held on Thursday 15 December 2011. New members are welcome, with enquiries to clinicalguidelines@nhmrc.gov.au.
Better care for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome developed by the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health on behalf of the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Australian Alliance has been released. This guideline is available from the NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal, ref. no 1966, at http://www.clinicalguidelines.gov.au.
The Economic Benefits of Health and Medical Research - CEO’s new discussion paper
Professor Warwick Anderson has released a discussion paper on the economic benefits to Australia from public investment in health and medical research, including impacts on the national economy, productivity, commercial returns, and investment by international funding bodies. NHMRC invites ideas, comments and feedback on this discussion paper to be sent to feedback.ceo@nhmrc.gov.au.
New Preventative Health Research Grants
The Australian National Preventive Health Agency, in collaboration with the NHMRC, has announced $5.8 million in new grants for research into tobacco smoking, alcohol misuse and obesity to inform evidence-based policy and program decisions.
Further details are online at www.anpha.gov.au/grants and applications close at 2pm AEST Friday 30 September 2011.
Australia, Singapore pledge commitment to further scientific collaboration
Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and NHMRC have signed a $SGD4.5m (AUD$3.5m) Memorandum of Understanding to promote exchange between the two countries in the areas of health and medical research. More information is available on the NHMRC website.
Peter Morris – saving teeth in the Territory
“The biggest challenge in these projects is achieving adequate follow-up of children in mobile families all over the Northern Territory, luckily we had a team that wouldn’t give up.”
Associate Professor Peter Morris leads a team introducing new treatment methods to improve Indigenous children’s teeth. 10 iof /node/30529 and nine other successful projects on improving Australian health in NHMRC's 10 of the Best Research Projects 2010 publication.
NHMRC Health Tracker - August 2011 edition
Research translation; implementing research outcomes in real life
NHMRC is committed to improving the translation of research findings into clinical practice and health policy. Some of NHMRC’s important research translation initiatives include:
- Development of a national network to enhance leadership in clinical research translation and implementation
- Improving dementia care through research translation
- Ensuring that Australians have access to the best dietary advice
- International research to reduce the burden of high blood pressure
- Establishing an Australian guideline developers network
- Improving management of drinking water quality in Australia, including rural and remote communities
- Preparing advice on “Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing”.
Spreading the benefits of research translation
In a recent online article in The Conversation, NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson identified research translation as the next revolution for medical science.
Venous thromboembolism
NHMRC and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care have launched a new evidence-based resource for hospitals, patients and policy makers on venous thromboembolism - Venous Thromboembolism Prevention Resource Centre.
Foot complications in diabetes
National evidence based guidelines on the prevention, identification and management of foot complications have been approved and are available on the NHMRC website.
International collaboration on regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine explores innovative medical therapies that enable the body to repair, replace, restore and regenerate damaged or diseased cells, tissues and organs. NHMRC has partnered with the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to give Australian researchers access to funding in this breakthrough area.
New standards for clinical practice guidelines
New procedures and requirements for meeting the NHMRC standard for NHMRC approved clinical practice guidelines have been released. Visit the NHMRC website for more information.
Examining wind farms and human health
On 7 June 2011, NHMRC held a scientific forum to discuss the latest evidence from scientific literature and the personal experiences of people living near wind farms. NHMRC has committed to systematically review the scientific literature. Depending on the results of this review, the NHMRC Public Statement on Wind Turbines and Health will be updated and consideration will be given to targeted research in this area. More information is available on the NHMRC website.
Supporting the best research - peer reviewers
Project Grants is NHMRCs primary funding scheme supporting basic, clinical, public health and health practices research. Each year, NHMRC relies on many thousands of researchers, health professionals and health policy makers to assist in our peer review of applications. NHMRC is always on the lookout for people to assist in peer review. If you are interested in becoming a peer reviewer for NHMRC please email your name and institutional email to help@nhmrc.gov.au.
To learn more about peer review of Project Grants please see the discussion paper written by Professor Warwick Anderson, CEO of the NHMRC on the NHMRC website.
In pursuit of the answers - the fight against cancer
NHMRC is the Australian Government’s primary funder of cancer research. In 2010, NHMRC supported 856 individual grants and provided over $162 million in pursuit of new ways of preventing, treating and curing cancers. More information is available on the NHMRC website under 'Summary of Cancer research reports'.
NHMRC Health Tracker - May 2011 edition
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of NHMRC Health Tracker, NHMRC’s new monthly newsletter.
The NHMRC contributes to Australia’s health system through more than its role in funding research. NHMRC also works to ensure that research is translated into practice and that Australian health and medical research ethical framework is of the highest standard.
NHMRC Health Tracker represents the health related aspects of NHMRC’s work. Each edition we’ll focus on a current issue in health, as well as brief information on NHMRC achievements.
Building Research Translation
Senior clinical researchers involved in research translation (incorporating research outcomes into clinical practice and policy) met recently to discuss a NHMRC proposal for a National Network of NHMRC-funded clinical researchers and centres.
This workshop on April 20 allowed senior clinical researchers to discuss the aims, objectives, outcomes and operational model for the proposed network.
A Communiqué and Papers presented at the workshop are available from the NHMRC website. A proposal for a national network on research translation will be released for public consultation shortly.
Consumers and Community Group Workshop – 19 May
This workshop will improve the NHMRC’s understanding of the information needs and preferences of consumers.
Potential Impacts of Wind Turbines on Human Health Scientific Meeting - 7 June
This workshop will discuss NHMRC’s revision of its statement on the scientific evidence around potential health effects of wind turbines. Interested people from the wind farm sector, health experts, clean energy groups and public health researchers will be invited.
Australian Guideline Developers Network
Clinical practice guidelines are an important avenue for research results to influence the clinical decisions taken by health practitioners. They are also a resource for patients and their carers in making informed decisions about treatment in health care.
NHMRC invites members of the guideline community to join the Australian Guideline Developers Network. The Network is a community where developers can share knowledge and experiences, and consider collaboration with other organisations on interrelated areas for clinical practice guidelines.
The next work workshop of the Network is being held in Melbourne on Thursday 9 June. Proceedings from earlier Guideline Developers Network workshops are now available from the NHMRC website. For further information, please contact clinicalguidelines@nhmrc.gov.au.
Clinically Competitive Report
The Australian Government released the report Clinically Competitive: Boosting the business of clinical trials in Australia on 3 March 2011. The Government has accepted all 11 recommendations in the report, which will ensure that Australia continues to realise the benefits of clinical trials for patients, researchers and industry. The report can be found on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website.
Focus on Mental Health
The Australian Government has identified mental health as a priority - the 2011 – 12 Budget pinpoints mental health spending of $1.5b billion, there is a new peak advisory body led by Australian of the Year Professor Pat McGorry and announced significant new funding for initiatives including the prevention of Indigenous suicide and new hospital beds.
The NHMRC is one of the many organisations that have a role to play in ensuring better and more accessible mental health care for all Australians, a priority that we have committed to meeting in our 2010 – 2012 Strategic Plan.
Mental health research
The NHMRC will implement a special initiative to allocate $26.2 million over five years from 2011-2012 for additional research to support development of evidence for better treatment and health services in mental health.
The NHMRC Research Committee and Council will provide advice on the best way to make this funding available to the research community. As plans are developed we will keep the health sector informed about how we will deliver our additional support through this special initiative.
This initiative will fund research in addition to grants made to mental health researchers through existing NHMRC competitive grant schemes, which were $72 million in 2010 and $403 million 2000 – 2010.
Depression Guidelines
In March 2010, Beyondblue released Clinical Practice Guidelines on depression in young people and adolescents and perinatal mental health.
These NHMRC approved guidelines, give health professionals the evidence based information they need to provide the best possible health care to highly vulnerable groups – young people, pregnant women and new mothers. The Guidelines can be found on the Beyondblue website.
Borderline personality disorder clinical guideline
Borderline personality disorder is identified as one of the most difficult mental health conditions, potentially causing ongoing life problems for patients and treatment challenges for clinicians. To assist with treatment of this disorder, NHMRC has established a committee of mental health experts to develop a Borderline Personality Disorder Clinical Guideline.
After a period of preparation including literature review and public consultation release of the clinical guidelines is anticipated in November 2012.
Mental Health Workshop
NHMRC hosted 80 researchers, clinicians, clinical managers, non-government organisations, consumers and carers at a Mental Health Workshop on 13 April 2011. All areas of the mental health sector joined together to identify ways that research and research translation could play in a role in providing better services.
Outcomes from the workshop will be available on the NHMRC website soon and papers from the workshop are available on the NHMRC website.
Managing your subscription to NHMRC Health Tracker
The first edition of NHMRC Health Tracker has been sent to all existing NHMRC Tracker subscribers and recipients of our National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) Update.
NHMRC Tracker is now NHMRC Research Tracker, which will continue to be sent automatically to all current subscribers every fortnight. Research Tracker will provide relevant information for researchers and those interested in our research activities.
If you do not wish to continue receiving NHMRC Health Tracker please use the unsubscribe link in this email.