Hunter New England patients gain local access to clinical trials

Newy 87.8 FM – People across the Hunter New England region will soon have greater access to clinical trials and emerging treatments closer to home, reducing the need to travel and giving more locals the chance to take part.

Hunter New England Clinical Trials brings together the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Hunter New England Local Health District and the University of Newcastle under a single coordinated model designed to make it easier to run trials locally.

The initiative introduces a single point of contact for clinical trials across the region, supported by a purpose-built Clinical Trials Facility collocated on the John Hunter Hospital campus.

HMRI Institute Director and CEO Professor Frances Kay said the program is about improving access to care locally. "Hunter New England Clinical Trials will make sure people in our region have the same access to new treatments as those in major cities, without having to travel too far from home," she said.

Professor Chris Levi, Director of the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, said delivering trials locally means more patients can access new treatments earlier. He said support will be boosted across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including paediatric trials, describing it as a significant change for families who previously had to travel interstate.

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said the initiative reflects the strength of regional collaboration, creating a more connected and efficient system for researchers and industry partners.

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