A newly created research grant has been launched to support West Moreton Health staff advance contemporary mental health care for patients.
Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) Chief Executive Scott Young said the IHF Mental Health Research Grant was a result of successful fundraising efforts at the 2023 Gala Dinner earlier this year.
“The mental health research grant is a testament to our commitment to the wellbeing of the community and the continuous improvement of healthcare services in the West Moreton region,” Mr Young said.
"We believe that research plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of health care to the community.
“This $30,000 grant is a significant step forward to support and enhance mental health services through evidence-based care."
West Moreton Health (WMH) Director of Research and Innovation Christopher Hicks said this investment in research would build the capacity of staff and strengthen existing collaborative health partnerships.
“We are already seeing the impact of research in our service delivery and through quality improvement and research our clinicians are improving patient, consumer and community outcomes,” Mr Hicks said.
“This is the largest in-house grant we have offered to staff with both the funding and the research delivered here in West Moreton.”
The grant supports new researchers or mid-career researchers who will deliver their project in the next two years, providing the evidence needed to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of mental health care.
West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch said research and innovation was a priority of the health service.
“When staff are the drivers of quality improvement and co-designed services it invites excellence and innovation to our compassionate health care delivery,” she said.
“We are continually attracting staff and their families to move to the region and research opportunities create further incentive for talented staff to drive change at a health service that is rapidly expanding.”
Mr Hicks said his team had expanded to provide the platform to develop research and staff capability and to share the results to ensure valuable insights were implemented across the sector.
West Moreton Health’s focus on research will be showcased at the sold-out Quality Improvement and Research Symposium: Ignite Innovation being held on 18 October to explore how innovation is transforming the clinical landscape in the region.
“We are excited by the calibre of presenters at the symposium who will share their research alongside consumers and staff, creating a platform to translate research into practice,” he said.
“This event further highlights how research is embedded in all areas across the health service, and I encourage all staff to consider what research could inform their role and to apply for grants as they become available.”
Successful grant recipients will be announced later this year after the applications are assessed by a panel. Applications are open until 29 October 2023.