Western Alliance accredited by NHMRC as a Research Translation Centre

In recognition of our expertise in translating health and medical research into improved healthcare in regional and rural areas, we are delighted to announce that the Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre has been fully accredited as a Research Translation Centre by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). 

Western Alliance is a collaborative of 11 member organisations located across the Barwon/Southwest and Grampians regions of western Victoria. Members include regional and sub-regional public health services and hospitals, the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and Deakin and Federation Universities.

Accreditation means that Western Alliance is now a full member of the Australian Health Research Alliance, which formally gives us a seat at the table for important national discussions and collaborations focussing on research translation.

NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centres are collaborations between health care organisations, research and education/training organisations and are a key mechanism driving the translation of health and medical research findings into clinical practice, policy and health systems.  All accredited Research Translation Centres and recognised Emerging Centres, collaborate nationally as the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA).

NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh said collaboration was at the centre of research translation.  ”Translating research outcomes into patient care is critical to improving the health of Australians. This Research Translation Centre brings together the partnerships that make that possible. NHMRC accreditation recognises the strength of these collaborations.” said Professor Wesselingh.  

AHRA’s Chair, Professor John Prins, welcomed the full accreditation of Western Alliance. 

“It is wonderful to see that Western Alliance’s strong track record in building research capacity, capability and activity in rural and regional health settings, for example through their delivery of the Supporting Translation of Research in Rural and Regional settings (STaRR) Program, has now also been recognised by NHMRC’s full accreditation,” said Professor Prins.

Accreditation of Western Alliance recognises the track record of these collaborations in working together to translate research findings into evidence-based healthcare for the benefit of their patients and communities, and in building the capacity and capability of health services partners to undertake research of direct relevance and benefit to its population, in regional, rural and remote Australia.

As an Australian Academic Health Science Centre focusing on regional health outcomes, Western Alliance supports the development of healthier rural and regional communities in recognition of the significantly poorer outcomes experienced by more than 700,000 people living in these regions of western Victoria.

We support our members to collaboratively improve the health of their communities through research-based and evidence-informed healthcare that is underpinned by a robust program of training, education, funding and advocacy.

Executive Director of Western Alliance, Professor Warren Payne, said that in any setting, but particularly in health services, it is important to question the way we do things and try to improve our practice.

“Research Translation is an integral part of this cycle, and with poorer health outcomes in rural and regional areas, we need to ensure that we are doing all we can to bridge this health gap,” said Professor Payne.

Chief Operating Officer, Mr Drew Aras, said that Western Alliance identifies consumer and community involvement as an essential element of health and medical research.

“By fostering strong connections between researchers, health organisations and the wider community, we support our member organisations within Western Victoria to drive high quality health research process, practice and translation,” said Mr Aras.

Click here for further information about AHRA.

Click here for further information about the NHMRC Research Translation Centre initiative.

See NHMRC’s announcement of Western Alliance’s accreditation – published 11 September 2024. See NHMRC’s announcement on LinkedIn