THURSDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2024: The HCF Research Foundation, Australia’s largest non-government funder of health services research, has announced the latest outcomes of its prestigious Translational Research Grants (TRG).

The four pioneering projects focus on workforce optimisation and patient-centred solutions, translating cutting-edge research into practical applications that improve safety, enhance care, and tackle real-world healthcare challenges in hospital care, aged care, and addiction recovery.

Dr Chris Pettigrew, Head of the HCF Research Foundation, shared the significance of the awards: “Our TRG scheme bridges the gap between research and real-world application, equipping healthcare providers with the tools to implement innovations that make a tangible difference. These grants are more than research; they’re investments in better care and healthier outcomes for Australians.”

2024 Translational Research Grant Recipients

HIRAID^® Inpatient: Improving the safety and quality of nursing care for hospital patients

Led by Kate Curtis, Professor of Trauma and Emergency Nursing at the University of Sydney, the HIRAID® Inpatient framework aims to prevent avoidable patient harm in hospitals, a significant issue costing $4.1 billion annually.

The HIRAID® program was shown to be effective in emergency departments, and by adapting the proven program for general hospital wards, the framework will be Australia’s first standardised, whole-of-patient nursing assessment tool.

With nurses as front-line patient advocates, HIRAID® Inpatient is expected to reduce deterioration, infection, and adverse events by empowering nurses to deliver comprehensive and consistent care.

BOOST (Better Outcomes for the Older Surgical Patient) Trial – A staggered implementation trial in emergency and elective surgery

Led by University of Newcastle Conjoint Associate Professor Christine O’Neill, an endocrine subspecialist and general surgeon, the BOOST trial integrates specialised geriatric care into surgical teams.

Building on successful trials at John Hunter Hospital that enhanced recovery, shortened stays, and reduced complications, this research will study the expansion of the service to other areas of surgery (elective general, urology and vascular).

The team expect that by focusing on holistic, team-based care, they can improve outcomes and independence for older patients while reducing strain on hospital resources.

Translating a metropolitan aged care nurse practitioner model to a rural residential care setting to optimise primary care outcomes

Led by Hunter Primary Care Service Manager Leigh Darcy, this project is designed to expand access to primary care in rural areas, testing a successful metropolitan aged care Nurse Practitioner (NP) model in regional settings. In collaboration with the University of Newcastle and healthcare professionals, NPs offer specialised care for elderly residents, often managing multiple chronic conditions.

The project will assess how this model, which has shown high effectiveness in urban areas, performs in rural communities where residents face more significant care barriers. The expansion could lead to broader implementation, improving rural healthcare equity.

REC-CAP - Piloting a digital recovery platform to support healthcare peer workers in improving patients’ alcohol and drug outcomes

Led by Dr Ari Roxburgh at Eastern Health, this project introduces REC-CAP, a digital tool designed to empower peer workers with lived experience in addiction recovery to better support patients in overcoming their addictions. REC-CAP enables peer workers to help patients create personalised recovery plans by identifying their strengths, addressing challenges, and setting achievable goals.

This collaborative approach focuses on building essential “recovery capital” – the personal and social resources needed for long-term recovery – through specific strategies such as fostering connections with others in recovery, developing coping skills, and engaging in activities that build resilience and confidence.

By providing structured support during the high-risk post-withdrawal period, REC-CAP aims to reduce detox readmissions and improve overall patient outcomes, while giving peer workers and healthcare professionals a standardised framework for delivering effective and consistent care.

Driving Better Health Outcomes for All Australians

With over $1.4 million invested in these Translational Research Grants, the HCF Research Foundation is committed to making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and impactful. “Beyond funding, our mission is to ensure that effective innovations in healthcare research reach Australians when and where they are needed most,” said Dr Pettigrew.

For more information on the HCF Research Foundation and its initiatives, visit https://www.hcf.com.au/about-us/hcf-foundation.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:
Joni Thomes 0475 576 738 or jthomes@hcf.com.au

ABOUT THE HCF RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The HCF Research Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for HCF members and all Australians by providing funding and support to encourage health services research for the benefit of all. Now in its 24th year, the HCF Research Foundation (the Foundation) is uniquely focused on supporting health services research, an area of research that does not receive significant fundings from other sources. The Foundation’s program aims to address issues of scale and significance in healthcare and to make a tangible impact in the delivery of health services for our members and all Australians. To learn more about the Foundation go to hcf.com.au/about-us/hcf-foundation

ABOUT HCF
HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund protecting Australians since 1932, covers almost 2 million members with health and life insurance, travel, pet, home and car insurance. HCF has been awarded Outstanding Value Health Insurance by Canstar nine years in a row from 2016-2024. On average over the last ten years, HCF has paid out more cents in every dollar in premiums to members as benefits than the industry average. ^** To learn more about HCF go to hcf.com.au/about-us

** 89.2% compared to 85.6% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years, sourced from APRA Statistics: Private Health Insurance Operations Reports 2014-23.