Grampians Health has launched a dedicated mobile clinical trials unit bringing research, innovation, and care directly to Western Victorian regional and rural communities.
In an Australian first, the Grampians Health mobile clinical trials unit will transform regional and rural community access to cutting-edge research and innovative treatments.
The mobile clinical trials unit will help close the gap for Grampians Health regional and rural patients who face poorer health outcomes, by bringing the latest clinical research and therapies directly to them – delivering care closer to, or even at, home.
Purchased second-hand, the unit was previously used as a mobile laboratory and will enable experienced Grampians Health clinical trial staff to provide trial-related care to patients currently enrolled in clinical trials. Each trial and patient will be assessed for suitability with the aim to reduce the travel burden experienced by our community.
The unit is equipped with the medical technology required to deliver components of care related to diverse clinical trials on-site, enabling Victorians to participate in research without the frequent need to travel to a regional or metropolitan hospital for treatment.
The unit will also serve as a community engagement hub to build awareness and understanding of clinical trials and their role in advancing healthcare, providing an important connection point linking communities with local and national research opportunities.
Featuring artwork from First Nation Artist, Darlene Rumler, ‘Woven art’ pays tribute to and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of South-West Victoria, tied together and linked through history, kinship, Country, and connections, learning together and paying tribute to healing in modern, contemporary and traditional methods.
Hamilton grandfather, Barry Baulch, will be among the first clinical trial participants to receive innovative treatment and care via the new mobile clinical trials unit – and he can already see its immeasurable benefits.
With Grampians Health currently the only regional Victorian centre running this Phase I oncology trial, Barry and his wife Bev have long endured the tyranny of distance – travelling hundreds of kilometres in the five-hour round trip from their Hamilton home to Ballarat.
Barry, who has been on a Phase 1 oncology clinical trial for metastatic lung disease since June last year, looks right at home in the mobile clinical trials unit at Grampians Health. Soon, that home will quite literally be his own.
“For Bev and me, having the mobile clinical trials bus come to us in Hamilton will really take the pressure off,” said Barry.
Currently, the couple spends up to two days each week in Ballarat at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) receiving treatment. Soon, Barry will be able to receive some of the trial-related care at home, thanks to the mobile clinical trials unit.
“Having the mobile unit pull up outside our home will make things so much easier,” said Barry. “I won’t have to travel two and a half hours to Ballarat for every trial visit.”
Long-term Hamilton locals, the couple hopes the mobile clinical trials unit will bring the same benefits to others across the Grampians region.
“We know how hard it is for so many regional and rural patients who face long travel times for treatment,” said Barry. “We really hope the mobile clinical trials unit helps ease that burden for others too.”
After more than 50 years of marriage, the Baluch’s are looking forward to having more time for the simple pleasures. They are grateful for the clinical trial, providing hope and comfort that it may help others.
The mobile clinical trials unit marks a major step forward in strengthening rural participation in research.
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