Hunter Medical Research Institute
During 2024, the Foundation reaffirmed its support for the Hunter Medical Research Institute and increased its annual funding amount from $1.5m to $3m. The Hunter Medical Research Institute, based in Newcastle, NSW, is improving access to diabetes care in rural and regional areas with the Diabetes Alliance Program+ (DAP+).
The program focuses on bringing the program care directly to vulnerable communities across the Hunter New England health district, including through the creation of a bus, equipped to be a clinic on wheels.
The program is especially important for rural communities with limited access to general practitioners. It takes specialists such as diabetes nurses and podiatrists to rural and remote towns that may not have access to these services locally. These clinical teams provide training to local providers, and directly care for patients in a way that empowers them to better manage their own medical condition.
A key part of the program’s research is seeking evidence that the program is making an impact on reducing the burden of this disease in rural and regional communities. This evidence will not only allow the continuation of delivering DAP+ but will also show its value for rollout in other parts of NSW and further afield.
The research is also focused on providing that the model of care can also easily be customised for rapid application to other chronic and complex health conditions, which could have a big impact on health outcomes for rural and remote communities.
Following the set-up phase, the program is now well underway and already delivering positive results.
