From Idea to Impact: Research at Northern Health

The Research Development and Governance Unit (RDGU) hosts monthly events focused on relevant research topics, designed to support and engage staff across the organisation.

At the recent Research Grand Round, Research at Northern Health: Navigating Pathways and Accessing Support, staff from across Northern Health came together for a practical and engaging session. The event aimed to demystify the research process, providing clear guidance on how to get started, navigate research pathways, and access the support available within the organisation.

The session opened with an introduction to conducting research at Northern Health, highlighting why research matters and the critical role it plays in improving patient care and outcomes. Attendees were guided through the researcher journey from idea generation through to project delivery, alongside an overview of research ethics and governance, and the different pathways available depending on project type. The RDGU team also provided insights into how research is governed locally, including the roles of the Research Executive Committee (REC) and Research Advisory Group (RAG).

A key highlight of the session was the launch of the Northern Health-specific Ethical Review Manager (ERM) Completion Guide, created by the RDGU team to support researchers in navigating governance requirements more effectively.

The session also showcased how the RDGU team supports researchers at every stage, whether starting with an initial idea, requiring governance authorisation, needing statistical input, or accessing resources. The Research Hub was also introduced, highlighting a central access point for tools, guidance, and support across the research journey.

As A/Prof Justine Ellis, Research Operations Manager, reflected, “Research is so important for continuous improvement to clinical care. RDGU strives to do all it can to support the research lifecycle for our researchers so that new knowledge can reach the clinic sooner.”

Overall, the session reinforced Northern Health’s commitment to building research capability and supporting staff to become confident, well-informed researchers.

To watch the full recording, click here.
To connect with the Research Team, contact NH.Research@nh.org.au

Featured Image: The Research Team
L to R (back row): Flona Yousif, Hala Mehdi, Brittany Szabo, A/Prof Justine Ellis, Dr Tilini Gunatillake, Dr Catherine Offer.
L to R (front row): Preethi Holman, Belinda De Poi, Arwen Ngyuen, Dr Mani Suleiman.