Australian Genomic Health Alliance: Preparing Australia for Genomic Medicine

Prof Kathryn North

Professor Kathryn North, Director of MCRI, is leading a national proposal for the NHMRC Targeted Call for Research (TCR) into Preparing Australia for the Genomics Revolution in Health Care. They would like to invite interested parties from partner organisations in Victoria to an information session at The Royal Children's Hospital.   

NHMRC Genomics TCR Information Session

Date: Friday 24 April

Time:  10:30 – 11:30amVenue:  Ella Latham Theatre, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road Parkville

The alliance envisages a whole of system change built on existing state-based diagnostic services linked with existing genomic research centres of excellence. Such integration is proposed to facilitate continual improvement and rapid implementation of innovations and new discoveries into clinical practice. The AGHA recognises the need to provide evidence-based genomic medicine that will improve healthcare outcomes in the most cost-effective way. AGHA members are already involved in national and international projects evaluating genomics for patient diagnosis, disease prevention, disease intervention and disease surveillance across a wide spectrum of disease.
In response to this Targeted Call for Research, the AGHA proposes to facilitate genomic research across this interface focussed around two large disease flagships: i) rare disease and ii) cancer. Projects within each of these disease areas will directly intersect with underlying platforms of research that will include better diagnosis through research and development, data quality and access, evaluation of the use of genomics in healthcare and workforce development to improve genomic capability. The outcomes the proposal will include new knowledge improving health and quality of life, policy based on robust economic evaluation and a workforce better equipped to deliver genomic healthcare.

Background

Genomic technologies have the potential to transform healthcare, promising better patient outcomes through rapid diagnosis, earlier intervention and improved prevention. However, there remain significant challenges to clinical implementation, which will require close alignment between genomic research, clinical medicine, health economics and policy development. To this end, the Australian Health Genomics Alliance (AGHA) has been formed with clinical and research partners from across the nation working together to deliver equitable access to genomics within the clinical setting.