1. Introduction
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is unique among national research funding and advisory bodies because it consolidates within a single national organisation the often independent functions of research funding and development of advice. One of its strengths is that it brings together and draws upon the resources of all components of the health system, including governments, medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals, researchers, teaching and research institutions, public and private program managers, service administrators, community health organisations, social health researchers and consumers. The functions of NHMRC come from the statutory obligations conferred by the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (the Act).
The Act sets down four statutory obligations on the directions taken by NHMRC. These obligations are:
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to raise the standard of individual and public health throughout Australia;
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to foster the development of consistent health standards between the various States and Territories;
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to foster medical research and training and public health research and training throughout Australia; and
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to foster consideration of ethical issues relating to health.
Council recognises that in discharging these statutory obligations, it must work in conjunction with others within Australia and around the world. It must employ its resources wisely so as to maximise cost benefit and meet the demands for efficiency, relevance and accountability.
Council also recognises that its members must accept responsibility, individually and collectively, for setting coherent policies and priorities and ensuring that its objectives are met. It must ensure the continuity, relevance and responsiveness of its activities to local, national and global health needs.
Council has developed a statement of strategic intent encapsulating its resolve. It is:
NHMRC will work with others for the health of all Australians, by promoting informed debate on ethics and policy, providing knowledge based advice, fostering a high quality and internationally recognised research base and applying research rigour to health issues.
In this strategic plan, Council:
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asserts the primacy of NHMRC's goal of improving health throughout Australia;
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re-affirms its commitment to excellence and accountability pursued through a strong, innovative and independent NHMRC;
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exploits NHMRC's unique brief to promote the development and application of knowledge within the health system;
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provides mechanisms to strengthen its contributions to high quality health research in the service of the Australian community and to evidence based health care and health promotion;
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develops an increasingly cohesive, responsive and imaginative NHMRC;
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reaffirms its commitment to work with others involved in the Australian health system; and
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recognises that public consultation on all issues is vital.
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