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Research

Research

​A strong focus o​​​n ​research

Western NSW Local Health District aims to deliver world-class health care, at the right time, closer to home, to people living in Western NSW. To achieve this a vibrant rural health research culture is at the heart of core business. ​

It is an exciting time for our District as we build research, culture, capacity, leadership and excellence across the continuum – from the research laboratory to the patient’s bedside. This will address challenges to health service delivery in the bush through the development and implementation of innovative context appropriate solutions.

​​On this page:

​WNSWLHD Research Strategy 2018-21

The Western NSW Local Health District Research Strategy 2018-21​ maps our vision to be an organisation that drives innovation and excellence to ensure healthier rural people and thriving communities.

Building capacity for meaningful exchange and co-creation between researchers, policy makers, health managers, clinicians, patients and communities underpins all components of the strategy. This is important in helping to achieve our strategic priorities, including a strong focus on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people living in our region.

The strategy complements a range of NSW Health initiatives and builds on their commitment to support high quality research, evaluation and translation with the overarching aim of keeping people healthy. We are committed to driving innovation, to ensure we make a real difference to the health of people living in our region. We believe this strategy will foster research translation and strategically position Western NSW Local Health District to become even more proactive in regards to research opportunities and continue to be a leader in the delivery of world-class rural health care.

​​Research Strategy at a glance.jpg

Undertaking health research in our District

The Research Office is your first point of contact for guidance and engagement for any health- related research activity, including clinical trials and health data access for research purposes in the Western NSW Local Health District.

For external organisations or individuals wishing to collaborate on research (including data sharing requests), please complete the Research Engagement Form​ or contact the Research Office on wnswlhd-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au.​

For research ethics and governance related queries contact WNSWLHD-EthicsCommittee@health.nsw.gov.au

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​Our Research Office Team

Bradley Christian – Director of Research

Alice Munro​ – Director of Research (currently on leave)

Phil Sanders – Research Ethics & Governance Manager

Shane Montgomerie – Corporate Management Accountant

Teesta Saksena – Research Operations Officer

Frances Guinness – Librarian

Jennifer Roberts  – Library Assistant​

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Clinical Trials

The Central West Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), based at Orange Health Service is a community-led, grassroots research approach that aimed to fill a significant gap in access to innovative cancer clinical trials in the bush. Community-based organisations and charities, such as Cancer Care Western NSW, provided substantial seed funding and support for the CTU, which was formally established in 2016. In the last three years, the CTU has developed rapidly. To date, there are 47 trials currently active, out of which 20 are in follow-up stage. Click here for more information​.​

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Greater Western Human Research Ethics Committee (GWHREC)

The Greater Western Human Research Ethics Committee is constituted and operates in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007​​ and has been accredited by the NSW Ministry of Health as a lead committee to provide the single ethical and scientific review of research proposals within the NSW public health system.

GWHREC oversees all research ethics for Far West LHD,  Western NSW LHD, Murrumbidgee LHD and Southern NSW LHD.

Download the GWHREC Guide for Researchers​ for more information about how to obtain ethics approval and conduct research in Western NSW.

For details of upcoming meeting dates, download the Schedule of Meeting Dates for 2022​ and 2023. The sub-committee meetings occur in between full committee meetings to review Low or Negligible Risk (LNR) research proposals.

For all GWHREC ethics and governance queries, phone (02) 6330 5948 or e-mail wnswlhd-ethicscommittee@health.nsw.gov.au

Complaints about the conduct of the Human Research Ethics Committee may be submitted to:  The Chief Executive, PO Box 4061, Dubbo NSW 2830.  Phone: 02 6809 8600

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Library Network​

Our district-wide library services are a key enabler of research in our region. The Library Network comprises four Libraries who share a common catalogue. These libraries are located at:

  • ​Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Broken Hill

Please contact the Library Services WNSWLHD-OrangeLibrary@health.nsw.gov.au.​​

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Our partnership with the Western NSW Health ​​Research Network (WHRN)

In April 2018, we signed a three year agreement with the Western NSW Health Research Network (WHRN), to drive innovation in health research across our Health District.

Formed in 2013, WHRN is the peak body for health research in Western NSW and now has over 250 members. The Network is a collaboration between four universities, Western NSW Local Health District, Western NSW Primary Health Network, Hospitals, community managed organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

For more information please visit the WHRN website.

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Research Opportunities

There are also a number of current research opportunities and grants available for our staff to access.

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