Premier

Strategy To Drive Victoria's Health And Medical Research

11 August 2015

The Minister for Health has today released a Discussion Paper to guide the development of a Victorian Health and Medical Research Strategy.

The Strategy will identify Victoria’s priorities in health and medical research, promote innovation, and prepare our State for the economic and healthcare opportunities on offer both nationally and internationally.

This work complements the Discussion Paper also released today on the future of the medical technology and pharmaceuticals sector which will inform the Andrews Labor Government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund.

The Victorian Health and Medical Research Discussion Paper highlights the importance of integrating research, education and healthcare; bringing together expertise across varying specialties; implementing a world-leading clinical trials system, advancing international collaborations, industry-research engagement and innovation; and supporting the next generation health and medical research workforce.

The Labor Government is investing significantly in health and medical research to grow Victoria's pre-eminence as a hub for world-class research.

Victoria is home to around 150 biotechnology companies, 10 major medical research institutes, 10 teaching hospitals conducting significant research, and 9 universities.

In the recent State Budget, the Government has provided $25 million to establish a genomic sequencing program to provide earlier diagnosis and more personalised treatment for Victorians; $15 million to plan and commence early works of the Victorian Heart Hospital, Australia’s first specialist cardiac hospital which will bring together patient care with research and training; and $2 million to plan and develop a National Centre for Proton Beam Therapy. The Government is also providing funding to support and attract clinical trials to Victoria.

The objective of the Victorian Health and Medical Research Strategy is to embed health and medical research as an integral part of the Victorian health system, with the view to turning research outcomes into practical health treatments.

The Victorian Health and Medical Research Strategy Discussion Paper can be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/healthandmedicalresearch/strategyExternal Link . Submissions are welcome until Monday 31 August.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We have some of the best health and medical researchers in the world right here in Victoria, and we want to do everything we can to support them so that they can continue to develop new and faster diagnostic tools and discover new treatments and cures.”

“We want to hear from the sector about how we can continue to build health and medical research in Victoria, and better support our world-leading clinicians and researchers to do the fantastic work they do.”

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research Frank McGuire

"Victoria is home to some of the world's best clinicians, scientists and researchers. This Discussion Paper will inform a strategy to help us build our preeminence in health and medical research."

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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