HCF Research Foundation and The George Institute embark on partnership to address health research shortfall
Sydney, 18 November 2014 - The HCF Research Foundation and The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) have embarked on an innovative partnership to help improve Australia’s research capability in the vital area of health services.
Driven by the shortage of research skills focused on the efficiency of healthcare delivery, the partnership will address growing concerns that Australia’s aging population and increased life expectancy demand more efficient and effective healthcare.
Under the agreement, the HCF Research Foundation will provide almost half a million dollars over three years to fund research positions and develop the specific skills required to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery in Australia.
The $431,810 funding pledge will support two PhD scholarships and one post-doctoral fellowship. Scholarship recipients will also receive a Development Support Allowance valued at up to $10,000 each.
HCF Research Foundation manager, Wayne Adams, said of the partnership: “The George Institute shares HCF’s commitment to this vital area of research and we are very pleased to be partnering with them. The agreement demonstrates our strategy of pursuing partnerships that can help translate research into practical outcomes for the benefit of Australians.”
The George Institute’s Chief Scientist, Professor Anushka Patel said: “This partnership represents a unique opportunity for The George Institute to work with the HCF Research Foundation in order to improve capacity for health services research. While the research undertaken by the scholarship winners will be broad and varied, there will be a specific focus on developing new methodological expertise that few individuals have in this country.”
Biostatistician Tim Watkins has already been awarded the first PhD scholarship. He has accepted a placement at the Faculty of Medicine at Sydney Medical School where he will work on a number of projects including joint telemonitoring research being led by HCF.
Tim Watkins said of the scholarship: “I’m grateful to have the support of The HCF Research Foundation and The George Institute. With so many Australians living with chronic illness it is crucial that we fund research to improve delivery of health care. Through my projects I hope to devise better methods of determining whether a specific health system intervention works effectively.”
For more information on the HCF Research Foundation, visit
www.hcf.com.au/about-us/hcf-foundation
For more information on The George Institute for Global Health, visit