Research development in Hunter New England
Hunter New England LHD’s research office provides grants, education, and training. We work with partner organisations to promote research across the region.
Hunter New England Research Office programs
The Hunter New England Research Office offers healthcare professionals and clinicians opportunities to engage in clinical and health service research and improvement.
We are committed to strengthening our culture of continuous innovation and improvement by supporting staff to translate evidence-based practice and research into their clinical services.
Learn more about our internal grant opportunities.
The Clinical and Health Service Research Fellowship Scheme (the Scheme) supports healthcare professionals and clinicians in Hunter New England LHD to explore relevant health service and clinical research related professional development opportunities.
It helps established and emerging researchers and improvement professionals to become future leaders in their field.
The purpose of the Scheme is to:
- build clinical and health service research capability and leadership in Hunter New England by providing resources to backfill substantive positions.
- enable high-quality clinically relevant research that is in line with our District's priorities to improve patient health outcomes and efficiencies of health services locally, nationally and internationally.
- contribute to a culture of research and evidence-based improvement across our district, making it central to how we deliver excellence for every patient, every time.
Note: For future dates, and further information, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
The Hunter New England Improvement Grant Program encourages Hunter New England staff, service managers, improvement specialists and patients to work together to apply evidence-based innovations that help improve patient and community health outcomes.
The Improvement Grant Program focuses on the implementation of existing evidence and guideline recommendations into sustainable routine care delivery practice.
This program does not fund or support research initiatives for knowledge generation.
Note: For future dates, and further information, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
External grant funding opportunities
Learn more about other external grants supported by Hunter New England LHD processes.
The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) partners with the University of Tasmania to deliver the Graduate Certificate (Clinical Redesign).
This course is for healthcare teams to carry out priority projects and learn in-depth skills in project and change management and service design.
Redesign Methodology
The Redesign Methodology integrates various tools and techniques to develop robust improvement projects. It focuses on developing solutions addressing the right root causes and provides participants with implementation skills to achieve sustained outcomes.
For further information, relevant forms or templates, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
The HCF Research Foundation Translational Research Grants Scheme focuses on responding to health issues identified by health care providers and translating research findings into practice by health service delivery stakeholders.
Through this scheme, the Foundation aims to facilitate the implementation of cost-effective, evidence-based innovation into health care delivery to improve outcomes and the experience of health care workers.
Note: For future dates, and further information, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
The NSW Health Translational Research Grant Scheme funds competitive research grants up to $500,000 for projects that translate into better patient outcomes, health service delivery and population health and wellbeing while building research capability within NSW Health.
The NSW Office for Health and Medical Research offer funding to staff within:
- NSW Ambulance
- NSW Health Pathology
- Local Health Districts (LHDs) in NSW
- Specialty Health Networks (SHNs) in NSW
This includes medical and nursing staff, allied health professionals and population health practitioners.
The aims of the Scheme are to:
- support the translation of research into policy and practice.
- encourage research that is a priority for the State or outlined in local strategic research plans.
For key dates, guidelines and application forms go to the NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme website.
For further information contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
The Hunter New England Allied Health Research Grant supports allied health professionals to conduct small-scale research projects.
The $5000 grant is managed by the Allied Health Research Advisory Group. The grant's aim is to encourage research that can improve clinical practices and patient outcomes across the Hunter New England LHD.
For more information email the Hunter New England LHD Research Office or call (02) 4921 3700.
The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) in NSW offers the Rural Research Capacity Building Program.
It is one of NSW Health's key strategies in building research capacity in rural NSW, as per the NSW Regional Health Strategic Plan 2022-2032.
This 2-year hands-on research program is designed to provide beginner researchers with enhanced skills and knowledge to complete their own research projects.
NSW Health employees in rural areas with no previous experience or limited exposure to research are eligible to apply.
Candidates attend a series of workshops to:
- develop their research proposal
- create the research protocol
- gain approval by an ethics committee
- collect and analyse data
- complete a portfolio of evidence and research report.
Applicants must include a research proposal with their submission.
The research proposal is required to link in with the Local Health District's strategic plan or NSW Health's strategic and operational priorities.
For further information visit Rural Research Capacity Building Program | HETI or contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au.
Education, training and opportunities
Hunter New England LHD aims to attract, develop and retain competent, capable staff with the right cultural fit.
To ensure this we provide training and education opportunities for all our staff, including medical, nursing and midwifery, allied health and corporate staff.
Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) provides training and education courses to support NSW Health's clinical and non-clinical staff, trainers, managers, and leaders.
Search for these key training modules:
- Rural and Remote – Research Capacity Building Program
- Research: Planning the Research Process
- Research: Introduction for Beginners
Our librarians can support higher degree students, staff and teams participating in an innovation scholarship project, developing guidelines, undertaking a systematic review or meta-analysis.
For more information go to the Hunter New England Health Libraries website.
This program offers a series of presentations and seminars designed to provide information and practical advice for various professionals involved in research.
The program aims to enhance knowledge, skills, and collaborations within the research community.
The sessions cover a range of topics that is relevant to:
- clinicians
- clinician researchers
- clinician managers
- conjoints and health academics.
Go to the Hunter New England Health Libraries website to view all recordings of current and past sessions.
The RR-CLaN is a rural-led initiative that provides high quality research education and training to healthcare staff working in rural, regional and remote areas.
The aim is to provide our staff with education and training opportunities to build key skills in how to use and undertake research to improve healthcare delivery.
All staff are welcome to register and join the free monthly online education sessions.
For more information about RR-CLaN sessions email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
You can view the RR-CLaN recordings of current and sessions online.
The Hunter New England LHD Research Office regularly run information sessions to help applicants develop quality submissions for research grants and awards run by Hunter New England LHD.
We also support lectures and seminars by visiting scholars. You can view all the session recordings on the Hunter New England Health Libraries website.
Useful resources
Hunter New England resources
For further information, forms and templates, contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
Hunter New England Health Libraries provides services to assist and support the research, teaching and information needs of all Hunter New England LHD staff and related health professionals.
Our Library branches are located at Mater and Tamworth hospitals. Access to resources and services, including research support is available from the library website.
For any funds to be transferred from Hunter New England LHD to the University of Newcastle (UoN) or Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), you will need to complete the:
- Hunter New England LHD Approval template
- Funding Agreement template (funds to HMRI or UoN)
For any funds to be transferred from UoN or HMRI to Hunter New England LHD, you will need to complete the:
- Funding Agreement template (funds from HMRI or UoN)
For further information, forms or templates contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
The Hunter New England LHD Research Grant Endorsement template is an ISBAR brief (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation).
As a standard, this brief provides information regarding:
- what the grant is about, its requirements, risks, costs to Hunter New England LHD, etc.
- an indication (if required) that the relevant operational managers support the application.
It can be sent to the relevant finance, service and general manager and/or executive to obtain their approval for you to submit a research funding grant. This endorsement template can support the following:
- funder requires HNE manager or executive approval to be included in the application.
- funder requires a letter of support from the Hunter New England LHD managers or executive. The ISBAR provides managers/executives with a draft letter of support from the applicant.
- applicant wishes to include a letter of support from the Hunter New England LHD managers or executive as a way to strengthen the grant.
Submission process
Please allow at least 14 days to receive your endorsement after submission.
- Please communicate with the Service Manager so they are aware you will be sending this request and provide a feedback loop should they wish to discuss the project further.
- Please complete the Research Grant Endorsement template and email it to the Service Manager along with any relevant supporting attachments referenced with the template.
- If your project requires a letter of support, please make sure you include a draft version (as a MS Word attachment) with your request.
For further information, forms or templates contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. While REDCap can be used to collect virtually any type of data in any environment it is specifically geared to support online and offline data capture for research studies and operations.
To apply for a REDCap account, please complete the REDCap Access Form.
Once submitted, the completed form will be logged as a ticket with HNE ICT services. Please note that users external to HNELHD require a HNE staff member to sponsor them and the sponsor also requires a REDCap account.
For more information, please contact HNELHD-ICTServiceDesk@health.nsw.gov.au.
Official REDCap videos are available at Videos – REDCap.
Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) also offers REDCap Workshops and Training via their Data Sciences team. For more information click here or contact datasciences.training@hmri.org.au
External resources
For further information, forms or templates contact the Hunter New England LHD Research Office at (02) 4921 4140 or email HNELHD-ResearchOffice@health.nsw.gov.au
Aboriginal Health Impact Statement (AHIS)
These guides and resources can help researchers ensure that research with and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities is:
- culturally safe, respectful, and responsible.
- follows a process of meaningful engagement and exchange.
- of high quality and of benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
NSW Health uses the Aboriginal Health Impact Statement (AHIS) to combine the health needs and interests of the Aboriginal people in developing new and revised health policies, programs and strategies.
The submission and approval of AHIS is managed via the Aboriginal Health Impact Statement group email: hnelhd-aboriginalhealthimpactstatement@health.nsw.gov.au
Process:
- Initial draft: Applicants should prepare a draft AHIS as early as possible. This allows sufficient time for review and feedback.
- Submission: The draft should be submitted to the group inbox noted above.
- Review & approval: The Cultural Governance Team - Aboriginal Health will coordinate the review process with the appropriate content experts and provide formal feedback or approval.
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
AIATSIS Code of Ethic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
A guide on how to apply the AIATSIS Code is also provided on their website.
Note: The AIATSIS Code replaces the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS). All references to GERAIS in Australian research codes should be taken to refer to the AIATSIS Code.
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
- Keeping research on track II - NHMRC - provides advice on how the values and principles outlined in NHMRC's ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities can be put into practice in research.
Office of Health and Medical Research (OHMRC)
- Research engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - The OHMRC provides resources for health professionals and researchers:
- undertaking research in NSW Health facilities with a focus on Aboriginal people and/or where Aboriginal people are considered as part of a broader study population.
- conducting translational research with Aboriginal People or communities.
- to help improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people by fully applying an Aboriginal health lens to all policies, programs and strategies.
Wukul Yabang (Aboriginal Health Research Community Panel)
Are you conducting research where any of the following apply?
- The experience of Aboriginal people is an explicit focus of all or part of the research;
- Data collection is explicitly directed at Aboriginal peoples;
- Aboriginal peoples, as a group, are to be examined in the results;
- The information has an impact on one or more Aboriginal communities;
- Aboriginal health funds are a source of funding.
What is required?
You will need to demonstrate that you have consulted with community members, the research is important to communities, you have appropriately designed the project and have Aboriginal governance to oversee the project and related data.
How do I do this?
To ensure Aboriginal Health Research is actively led-by, with and for our Local Aboriginal Community and People. Wukul Yabang (Aboriginal Health Research Community Panel) ensures that Aboriginal people have a say in what is being researched, by who, how, what for, where.
For further information visit Aboriginal Health Research Strategy / Research to influence change / Indigenous Commitment / Our Uni / The University of Newcastle, Australia.
What else is needed?
- You can use the letter provided by Wukul Yabang to provide evidence for your human research ethics applications.
- Ensure HNE Research Governance (site approval) is in place before you start
Consumer involvement and engagement is fast becoming an important part of patient-centred research across the world.
These resources are for NSW researchers and health professionals looking for consumer involvement to support their research and/or projects.
NSW Regional Health Partners (NSWRHP)
The NSWRHP offer researchers resources, education and training relating to consumer involvement.
NSWRHP's Consumer Connect platform links consumers with lived experiences to health and medical projects, research and health services.
Researchers and health staff members looking for consumers to participate in their projects can email hnelhd-nswregionalhealthpartners@health.nsw.gov.au
Health Consumers NSW (HCNSW)
The HCNSW is a membership-based independent charity, and an independent think-tank in health consumer engagement in NSW.
With an established state-wide network of health consumer representatives, HCNSW also represent health consumer organisations for specific disease and population groups.
You can find researcher resources, training courses and research partnerships on their website.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The NHMRC provides leadership and guidance to the health and medical research sector on the meaningful engagement of consumers through all stages of research and health care.
- Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
- Toolkit for Consumer and Community involved in Health and Medical Research
Sydney Health Partners
Sydney Health Partners is a NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centre (RTC).
The organisation is a collaboration between 5 major health services, a world-leading university and 11 affiliated medical research institutes.
You can find consumer and community involvement resources on their website.
Australian Clinician Trials Alliance (ACTA)
The Consumer Involvement and Engagement Toolkit is a joint initiative between ACTA and Clinical Trials: Impact and Quality (CT:IQ).
It provides practical advice for researchers and research organisations looking to conduct patient-centred clinical trials.
Office for Health and Medical Research (OHMR)
The OHMR have resources for clinical trial researchers.
Grant applications are a rigorous and competitive process. Applications are reviewed by an independent assessment panel.
Go to the Grants Hub website for useful tips and resources to prepare and submit a successful grant application.
The Office of Health and Medical Research have resources for grant applicants, including:
- designing your research study.
- analysing your research data.
- translating your research findings.
- commercialising your research data.
Abstracts are powerful ‘short stories’ that are used in journal articles and conference presentations.
An abstract will help reviewers to decide whether to:
- accept your paper, conference abstract or grant application
- help readers to decide whether to read your paper or attend your presentation.
Learn more about what a good abstract is, and how to write a well-prepared abstract with a step-by-step guide and examples.