A CANCER research network will be established in the Hunter thanks to a $7 million grant awarded to NSW Regional Health Partners.
The Cancer Institute's five-year, $7 million investment will allow cancer researchers in the Hunter, New England, Central Coast, Mid North Coast and Northern NSW form an "innovative" network to share ideas, findings and resources to help people living with cancer, and the healthcare professionals caring for them, sooner.
Newcastle-based medical oncologist and cancer researcher, Associate Professor Craig Gedye, will be "chief investigator" of the project.
"With this network we hope to make it easier for patients and their clinicians to collaborate to advance cancer care not only in NSW, but for anyone experiencing cancer,"Dr Gedye said.
"We have incredible people and clinicians in our regions and, by building on the systems we already use, we hope to embed cancer research in healthcare to improve the lives of people with cancer. I'm proud that it will happen here."
The research will be run out of the University of Newcastle, with dedicated staff based at the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
NSW Regional Health Partners chairman Stewart Dowrick said the $7 million injection would help people living in areas of NSW who are often excluded from research.
"We're a partnership with a common interest in improving the lives of people in rural and regional NSW, and cancer is a part of many of those lives," he said.
Cancer Institute NSW chief, Professor David Currow, said investment in research with a focus on priority populations was important for improving cancer outcomes.
"We want to make an impact where it matters most - on the lives of people affected by cancer today, and into the future," he said.
NSW Regional Health Partners is an collaboration between the University of Newcastle, University of New England, HMRI, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, Calvary Mater Newcastle and the Central Coast, Mid North Coast and Hunter New England Local Health Districts.
