New era of clinical trials capability at The Prince Charles Hospital
Assistant Nursing Director Clinical Trials Jenny Peek with patient Alfred Kane, who is participating in the ALOFT study to hopefully slow the progression of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis (PPF)
Patients with a range of complex health conditions now have improved access to innovative therapies and medical devices thanks to the new Clinical Trials Centre at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH).
It’s the first time within a Queensland public hospital that a clinical trials centre with early phase capability and a co-located clinical trials pharmacy has been built within an acute area in a hospital, rather than as a standalone facility nearby.
Being located within the acute hospital environment significantly improves integration with clinical teams and access to critical support services.
Patients who previously received trial treatments across multiple hospital areas are now cared for in a purpose-built centralised space designed for early-phase and complex intervention trials. This model enhances patient experience, improves oversight, and supports high-quality safe delivery of research.
This exciting new approach means patients now have greatly improved access to phase 1–capable mRNA-enabled trials, including transplant, cardiac, respiratory, cardiothoracic, critical care and internal medicine conditions, with scope to grow further in coming years.
The Clinical Trials Centre is led by Assistant Nursing Director Clinical Trials Jenny Peek.
Jenny has a strong research background, including project managing an Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund funded collaboration that embedded a randomised controlled trial of smoking cessation interventions into Quitline’s business-as-usual operations.
Through this model, eligible callers were routinely offered participation in the trial and referred for lung cancer screening, demonstrating how complex research can be successfully integrated into frontline service delivery.
“The Clinical Trials Centre partners with established clinical research groups, universities and industry to deliver access to innovative therapies and medical devices that patients would not otherwise be able to receive,” Jenny said.
“This access aims to improve the health outcomes for patients and TPCH, Metro North Health and across Queensland.
“It is expanding our treatment options, improving equity of access and accelerating translation of evidence into practice to deliver world-class patient care at TPCH.”
The new centre features high-standard medical equipment in two purpose-built clinic rooms, four infusion chairs and direct access to related services including pharmacy, pathology and medical imaging.
It is supporting state and national priorities to grow clinical research, improve patient outcomes and expand healthcare innovation.
Patient Alf Kane is participating in the ALOFT study at the TPCH Clinical Trials Centre, a global clinical trial running in over 30 countries.
The study is investigating whether a new drug is safe and effective in adults living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or progressive pulmonary fibrosis, providing hope of slowing the progression of the disease.
“I’m ecstatic to be a part of something so important for future generations,” Alf said.
“Having a comfortable and dedicated space to go for treatment has made a world of difference for me.”