MORE than $220,000 is being invested in medical research in FNQ, thanks to community support.
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation announced its annual research grants TODAY, including two large grants of $50,000 each – the Foundation’s largest ever research donation.
In fact, this year’s investment, brings the Foundation’s total contribution to medical research in FNQ, to more than $1.25 million.
Foundation CEO Tony Williamson said investing in research was a vital part of progressing the community’s aim of the Cairns Hospital becoming the Cairns University Hospital.
“Research is an integral component of becoming a university hospital – the top physicians around the world are also top researchers, and these grants are becoming highly sought-after,” Mr Williamson said.
“Investing in research is part of our broader strategy to improve health outcomes and to help this hospital reach full university status,” he said.
“We’re also really delighted this year to welcome Mark and Paul Kamsler, who have very generously donated funds towards the Paul & Dina Kamsler Memorial Grant, in honour of their parents,” he said.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service board chairman Clive Skarott AM said what the Foundation does to support health services in the Far North is simply incredible.
“Support for research is absolutely vital and we would strongly encourage anyone considering donating to research, to do so through the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation as every cent goes where it’s intended and it will make a difference to us all,” Mr Skarott said.
As well as the individual research grants, ranging in size from $2100 to $50, 000, the Foundation contributes $50, 000 a year towards a research officer at Cairns Hospital.
Cairns Hospital Staff Specialist Dr Simon Smith is one of the $50, 000 grant recipients.
“We currently are working on over 40 FNQ-based, doctor-led research projects investigating a variety of infections that affect people living in FNQ. One of the challenges we have is engaging people currently admitted to the hospital in these projects. The generous grant from the Foundation will allow us to hire and train a new nurse who will help engage patients and coordinate many of our projects. Looking forward, training a new staff member will help grow our research capabilities allowing us to become involved in an even greater number of projects – all designed to help improve the management of infections in FNQ,” Dr Smith said.
Dr Andreas Kupz, a senior research fellow at James Cook University’s Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, will use his $50, 000 grant to investigate ways to improve BCG, the vaccine for tuberculosis.
“Because of a worldwide shortage of BCG there has been a gap in the vaccination program for children who are at risk of exposure to TB,” Dr Kupz said. Now that BCG is available again, Queensland Health is running a catch-up vaccination program.
Dr Kupz and his team will compare the immune response of children after vaccination with any natural immunity developed by those who are found to have been exposed to TB when the vaccine was unavailable.
Other grant recipients include Denise Craig, senior psychologist within the Far North Queensland Aged Care Assessment Team and Memory clinic.
Ms Craig is the inaugural recipient of the $10, 000 Paul & Dina Kamsler memorial Grant and will study how Advance Care Plans are administered by clinicians.
“I believe this is the first study of its kind and we’re hoping to use the information gained to inform policy reform, education and programs to improve understanding and adherence to patients’ stated wishes. Knowing the factors involved can only benefit all participants in advance care planning,” Ms Craig said.
Brothers Paul and Mark Kamsler will donate $10, 000 a year for five years, towards a research grant in their parents’ honour.
“Locally based research initiatives help our region in so many ways,” Mark Kamsler said.
“In the long term, if research leads to improvements in health and access to facilities then this is a desirable outcome, that benefits so many. As long-term residents of FNQ, this is our way of giving back to the community,” Mr Kamsler said.
JCU Professor Caryn West will use her $24, 900 grant to research primary health care injury surveillance to information community alcohol management decision-making in three remote Indigenous Cape York communities.
Other smaller research grants have been awarded to study:
• Coronary artery disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Investigating ways to improve BCG, the vaccine for tuberculosis
• Women's experiences of accessing surgical termination of pregnancy services in FNQ.
• Stopping the Asian Tiger Mosquito from reaching mainland Australia with sugar baits.
• Preclinical evaluation of phytocompounds as ovel antimicrobial agents
• Improved clinical management for allergic rhinitis to tropical airborne allergens in FNQ
• An investigation into neutralization, stability, and kinetics for the antivenom for Chironex fleckeri, the lethal box jellyfish.
• The extent, cause and direct healthcare costs of non-fatal deliberate self-harm in Far North Queensland.
• Too hot, too cold or just right? The influence of environmental temperature on the venom of box jellyfish
• Likeliness of Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Far North Queensland
• Can Admission to a Rural Hospital due to Lower Limb Cellulitis be Prevented.