- Albany Health Campus Cancer Centre first oncology clinical trial underway.
- Builds on successful clinical trials completed through the WA Country Health Service Trial Centre
- The trial enables access to innovative genetic testing
- Trial aligns with Cook Government's Clinical Trials Roadmap
- Cook Government committed to improving health outcomes for all Western Australians
In a boost to local cancer care for Great Southern patients, Albany Health Campus Cancer Centre has recently commenced its first oncology clinical trial.
A collaboration between the WA Country Health Service Trial Centre, Fiona Stanley Medical Oncology, and the Albany Health Campus Cancer Centre, this marks the third Teletrial to be conducted in Albany.
The WA Country Health Service Trial Centre co-ordinates and supports the delivery of high-quality, place-based clinical trials across regional Western Australia, improving access to advanced therapies for country patients through a centrally connected service.
The trial enables participants access to genetic testing to guide chemotherapy dosing, with the initiative representing an important step in improving equity for country patients, ensuring people living in regional areas can receive clinical trial care closer to home.
Expanding local clinical trial capability is expected to bring lasting benefits to patients and their families throughout the Great Southern.
Other previous Teletrials conducted in Albany include the Flash GM trial of continuous blood glucose monitoring for Aboriginal patients living with Type 2 Diabetes, and the Vitafoot study which trialled vitamin supplementation for diabetic foot ulcers.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Thistrialaligns with the Cook Government'sClinicalTrials Roadmap, which highlights the importance of expanding access to high-qualityclinicaltrials across regional Western Australia.
"It's fantastic to see a clinical trial of this nature being delivered in Albany, giving local patients access to cutting-edge cancer treatments without the need to travel to Perth.
"By strengthening regionaltrialcapability through initiatives like Teletrials, the roadmap is helping country patients benefit from innovative research closer to home.
"This work is a great example of how our government is building a clinical trials sector that is world-class, connected and sustainable, and, most importantly, one that puts Western Australians at the centre of innovation in healthcare."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"Ensuring equity for country patients is at the heart of this work. Expanding clinical trial capability in regional WA means more patients can receive high-quality care in their own communities, closer to their families and support networks.
"Living regionally shouldn't preclude patients from accessing the best in clinical care. Our aim is to bring timely, best-practice specialist care closer to home, no matter where people live in Western Australia."
