Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) is a major regional health service in Gippsland, Victoria, with a strategic vision to enhance patient access to clinical trials closer to home. To support this vision, LRH established the Research and Clinical Trials Unit (RCTU). In January 2020, the RCTU comprised four part-time staff managing two clinical trials. Since then, the unit has expanded to over 20 staff and recently launched its 36th clinical trial.
A key challenge in expanding our clinical trial portfolio was attracting and recruiting qualified staff to a regional area. To address this, our unit implemented an adaptive workforce model to enhance our capabilities and build strong support networks for ongoing growth. Furthermore, we recognise that establishing strong partnerships with metropolitan health services has enabled us to facilitate weekly Oncology and Haematology Research Fellows Clinics at LRH.
In addition to our core team of Clinical Trial Coordinators, which includes both nurses and non-nurses, the RCTU has embraced a decentralised workforce model. This strategy leverages the expertise of disease-specific nurses from across the organisation. The RCTU provides these nurses with training and support for their professional development in research, along with departmental funding for trial-specific positions. This model has propelled the advancement of clinical trials in areas such as Haematology, Stroke, Cardiology, CCU/ED, Dermatology, and Diabetes. The involvement of specialised nurses has been crucial in overcoming significant barriers and ensuring the successful initiation of these studies.
We believe that by adopting an organisational approach, applying creative problem-solving, integrating trials into standard practice, and incorporating research roles into existing specialty positions, we can develop a clinical trial program tailored to our local community. Additionally, we will continue to build collaborative partnerships to cultivate a strong research culture across LRH.