Clinical Trials Pharmacy

Northern Health has dedicated Good clinical practice (GCP) trained, experienced Clinical Trial Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians involved in management, oversite, dispensing and counselling of clinical trials medications. They are involved in the clinical trial process from feasibility through to close-out and have a department level SOP available to view on prompt: Pharmacy SOP – Clinical Trials.

Pharmacy clinical trials facilities include:

  • Temperature-monitored storage
  • Computerised dispensing
  • Sterile preparation suite

For further information about Pharmacy, click the link to their website: https://www.nh.org.au/service/6638/

If you are a NH Employee, you can access the intranet page here: https://intranet.nh.org.au/departments-and-services/pharmacy/about-us/

To contact the Clinical Trials Pharmacy phone: 8405 8567 or email: NHPhamacyClinicalTrials@nh.org.au

Decision Support Unit

Northern Health’s Decision Support Unit (DSU) is part of the Digital Health Department and has a wide scope of service within the organisation. The DSU is responsible for the provision of financial, workforce, activity and quality data to the organisation. The unit contains expertise in both data analytics and technical developments and is able to help Northern Health researchers with data exports from EMR.

If you are an NH Employee, you can access the intranet page here: https://intranet.nh.org.au/departments-and-services/digital-health/our-performance/

If you wish to engage with the Decision Support Unit, ensure you have appropriate Research Governance in place prior to submitting a request, email: nh-decision-support@nh.org.au

Health Information Services (HIS)

Health Information Services are responsible for the collection, processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination of patient information, in both paper and scanned/electronic format, to facilitate an optimal level of direct and indirect patient care and for research, quality improvement, hospital and Department of Health and Human Services management and for decision-making purposes.

If you are an NH Employee, you can access the intranet page here: https://intranet.nh.org.au/departments-and-services/health-information-services/about-us/

If you wish to enquire about the following, refer to Health Information Services – Records Management – Clinical:

  • Research Documentation Storage.
  • Temporary Access to be granted to CPF for Clinical Research Associates and other representatives of external Pharmaceutical Companies.
  • Record retrieval for paper-based healthcare records (this refers to all healthcare records prior to September 2008, i.e. prior to the implementation of CPF).
  • The necessary approvals and timelines required prior to record retrievals, including retrieval fees.

If you cannot find what you need or you have a general research related enquiry for HIS, please email: David.Mangano@nh.org.au

Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV)

Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV) is the comprehensive medical imaging service of Northern Health. NIV operates from the Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, and Bundoora Centre campuses of Northern Health.

NIV has expertise in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine.

General information about NIV can be found here: https://www.northernimagingvictoria.org.au/

If you require NIV services for your clinical trial or research project, please refer to the Research – Studies Requiring Input from Medical Imaging Standard Operating Procedure.

For enquiries and further support to access NIV’s services for research, or to request the current fee schedule, please contact NIVResearch@nh.org.au

Library Service

The role of the Northern Health Library Service is to facilitate informed decision making for patient care, research and education. The library services are available to all Northern Health Staff and affiliated students.

To access the library via the Northern Health intranet please click here: https://intranet.nh.org.au/departments-and-services/library/about-us/

The Northern Health e-Library is available at: https://nh-au.libguides.com/home (includes all the information you may need, including: contact details, staffed hours and location)

Join the library at: https://bit.ly/NHLibJoin

Northern Pathology Victoria (NPV) Research Services

As part of Northern Health’s strategic priority of ‘Engaged learners, inspired researchers’, Northern Pathology Victoria provides a range of services for clinical trials and research projects

Located at Northern Hospital, Epping, the NPV laboratory is NATA accredited and complies with applicable ISO standards and NPAAC regulations.

The NPV Research Services team includes a qualified research coordinator, medical scientists, and pathologists, with experience conducting both commercial clinical trials (pharmaceutical and device) and investigator-initiated research. Available services include:

  • Specimen Collection Services – with collection rooms located at Northern Hospital (Epping), Craigieburn, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora, Mill Park
  • Sample management and logistics
  • Project management
  • Coordination of sample transport within Australia or internationally (trials staff are IATA certified)
  • A wide range of pathology testing across all disciplines (NPV Pathology Handbook)
  • Management of sample processing (from simple centrifugation and aliquoting, to more complex processing such as PBMC preparation or DNA/RNA extraction)
  • Sample storage – temperature monitored -80⁰C freezer, -20⁰C freezer, 2-8⁰C refrigerator
  • Services can be tailored to meet your project requirements

If you require NPV services for your clinical trial or research project, please complete the NPV Research Services Application form.

For further information about pathology, click the link to their website: https://northernpath.org.au/

If you are a NH Employee, you can access the Resources section of the RDGU’s intranet page to view the NPV Research Services Information and Application form.

To contact NPV Research Services phone: (03) 9485 9098, alternatively 0438 654 967 or email: NH-NPVResearch@nh.org.au

Transcultural and Language Service (TALS)

The Transcultural and Language Service aims to develop and strengthen Northern Health’s cultural competence by offering ever-improving language services for the wider ethnic community and Northern Health staff members through interpreting services of the highest standard, translation of medical material, and targeted cultural competence training; to work closely with the various community groups and organisations so that their concerns may be appropriately addressed within the health context; to drive and contribute to research activities, and facilitate student education.

Northern Health does not condone the use of family members or unqualified staff to act as interpreters unless in an emergency. Children under the age of 18 are not to be used as an interpreter. If you require an interpreter for your research appointment please use the Interpret Management System to request the Interpreting Service: https://talsbookings.nh.org.au/. Northern Health also has access to the communication app called Talk to Me, available anytime.

If you are an Northern Health Employee, you can access the intranet page here: https://intranet.nh.org.au/departments-and-services/transcultural-language-services/about-us/

Click the link below to review the TALS website: https://www.nh.org.au/service/transcultural-language-services-tals/

You may wish to contact TALS directly by phone: 8405 8188, all TALS Email Enquiries should be directed to: TALSEnquiries@nh.org.au