Victoria’s thriving medical research community is solving global health challenges and advancing the Victorian economy.
Victoria’s health and medical research sector is one of the state’s most significant and productive industries. Every $1 invested in the sector generates $3.90 of activity in the economy.
The Health and Medical Research Strategy: 2022–2032 (the Strategy) provides a framework for Victorian activity and investment in health and medical research over the next ten years.
Focus
The Strategy focuses on four areas:
- Talent - A supported and skilled workforce is the backbone of health and medical research.
- Collaborate - Victoria’s world‑class medical research talent are supported by outstanding physical infrastructure and precincts including world‑class health care, research and educational facilities.
- Big Ideas - Globally, Victoria already has a track record for ground‑breaking medical research. Victoria is well‑placed to build on its reputation for discovering, trialling and developing the solutions to the world’s most pressing health problems.
- Generating Outcomes - Victoria is home to some of the best innovators, scientists, clinicians, and knowledge institutes in the world, producing ground‑breaking research with significant health and commercial potential.
Implementation
The delivery of the Strategy will be implemented through targeted action plans and strategies — adapting to emerging priorities and opportunities over the next decade to enable planning and investment.
To ensure the Strategy is delivering on its aims of solving health challenges and advancing the Victorian economy, progress will be measured to inform future plans and actions.
Case studies
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The Orygen redevelopment in Parkville is the home for the globally recognised National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health alongside specialist mental health service provider Orygen Youth Health.
Alongside clinical services, Orygen is a centre of research for health professionals in search of better treatment options for young people living with mental illness, and a training and education hub for workers in the mental health sector.
Winning top honours for Best Mental Health Design at the European Healthcare Design Awards (2019), over 140 young people were involved in consultations for the redevelopment, including current and former clients as well as young people from the wider community. Up to 5,000 young people each year will benefit from the centre.
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You wouldn’t know it, but 1 in 12 Victorians has a rare disease, likely genetic in origin. Genomic sequencing analyses hundreds of genes at a time to diagnose these diseases and find treatments.
Brothers Clinton (16) and Daniel* (12) had been in and out of hospital all their lives, with debilitating bowel, respiratory and skin conditions. Genomic testing pinpointed the single genetic cause of their illness. Bone marrow transplants were then used to ‘reboot’ their immune systems, and the boys are now healthy teenagers.
Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance studies found that people who got a genomic test were eight times more likely to get a change in care. The Victorian Government’s investment in genomics will ensure more precise care for all Victorians who need it.
*Names changed to protect identities.
Reviewed 04 May 2023