Rockhampton will be able to improve its health outcomes from the ground up, thanks to a new collaboration between local healthcare providers.

Local health workers will be encouraged to develop local research to improve local practices for the benefit of local patients.

Central Queensland University, Queensland Health and The Mater Hospital are co-sponsoring a campaign to develop research capacity within the region.

CQU Director for Social Science Research Professor Kerry Mummery said the Regional Health Research Alliance (motto ‘Improving Health through Local Science’) would kick-off the campaign in September with a Research Skills Course.

The course will be held on a series of 10 Wednesday evenings from September 21 through to November 23, with applications for places closing on September 2. Details are available via James Douglas on 4930 9843.

Professor Mummery said the Alliance-sponsored Research Skills & Collaborative Micro-Grant program was aimed at building research capacity within the health region by means of a collaborative educational process.

“This process will culminate in a round of competitive grant funding for projects emanating from the research skills portion of the program,” he said.

The course is open to any health professional interested in obtaining research skills and experience through the development and completion of an evidence-based professional project. ENDS.

Details, Prof Kerry Mummery, 4930-6749 k.mummery@cqu.edu.au 0408 674 911.

Photo (from left): Professor Errol Payne, clinical educator Amanda McMaster, Professor Kerry Mummery, Lynne Sheehan (Mater), Sandra Thomson (Qld Health), and clinical nurse consultant Susie Le Brasse at a media event to mark the new program.