A message from The Common Good

The Common Good, an initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, is committed to providing sustainable funding for medical innovation and discoveries in chronic disease that will affect 90 per cent of us in our lifetimes.

The importance of medical innovation has never been so evident than during the COVID-19 crisis. The successful development of a COVID-19 vaccine within a relatively short timeframe was dependent on a number of key factors including collaborations, building on previous research knowledge and the dedication of researchers. These are the same factors that contribute to the successes seen in the research taking place at The Prince Charles Hospital.

What is immediately evident in the Foundation’s research in 2021 is the depth of collaborations with hospitals, universities and other research institutions across Australia, and the world. It is by working alongside like-minded experts and sharing successes and challenges that medical discoveries are made that benefit everyone, for the common good. Our researchers come from many fields including scientists, engineers, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

This year has seen the realisation of over four years of pre-clinical research into a revolutionary change in organ transplants. Researcher Dr Louise See Hoe, from The Critical Care Research Group spent more than four years investigating the use of a novel hypothermic ex vivo perfusion (HEVP) device that allows a donor heart to be rejuvenated before surgery. It keeps the heart muscle cool and supplies it with oxygen, extending the length of time the heart is viable. HEVP, therefore, allows donor hearts to travel further.

The research is now being further explored in a Trans Tasman clinical trial with the technology already used in 13 cases in Australia, transporting hearts that may otherwise not have been viable for transplantation.

Our world-class researchers are also working on the ICU of the Future, a new intensive care unit prototype. This project addresses the reduction of noise, regulation of light, reduction of night-time sleep disruptions and other environmental improvements to enable patients to recover quicker and with a higher quality of well-being.

The new bed space design is likely to reduce the chances of patients developing post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and delirium, issues that are all too common in patients who spend time in ICU.

Dr Simon Apte’s research into the deadly occupational lung disease, silicosis, has led to the development of a world-first test to directly measure the amount of silica in a person’s lungs. This is now being used in conjunction with Professor Dan Chambers’ revolutionary treatment for mild forms of silicosis called whole lung lavage, essentially washing a patient’s lungs, one at a time, to remove the toxic silica crystals.

Research into the prevention and early intervention of dementia by Dr Eamonn Eeles is using a new brain imaging technique and imaging tracer (isotype) to map the brain to understand the changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease. It is hoped that being able to show the difference between those people who have early signs of dementia and those with a healthy brain will help determine which patients could benefit from current treatments.

In 2021 The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation distributed nearly $2 million in research funding through competitive peer-reviewed grants for individuals through New Investigator Grants, PhD Scholarships and Fellowships, and projects through Innovation Grants and Equipment Grants. Together this has provided over 45,000 hours of research time across the key areas of heart disease, lung disease, dementia, mental health and innovations that support hospital care.

Research funding in 2021

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Research time provided in 2021

We would like to acknowledge the dedication of our researchers who strive to make a difference to the early detection, treatment and prevention of diseases that affect 90 per cent of the population. In many cases the research is about improving the status quo – an acknowledgement that while saving lives is crucial, improving a person’s experience along that health journey is also of great importance. It is a testament to our amazing researchers who have maintained the quality and outcomes of our research, despite the impacts of COVID-19 over the past few years.

On 20 October 2021, the Foundation held its inaugural Giving Day. This 12-hour fundraising drive raised an amazing $266,625 to fund patient support programs, state of the art equipment and other key projects that will improve the quality of care and well-being for The Prince Charles Hospital community. Key projects which will be supported via the Giving Day funding include therapy dog visits to vulnerable patient groups, a dementia therapy garden, a rehabilitation path for patients to build their confidence and strength in preparation for their transition home, the ICU of the Future, an indoor-outdoor respite area for older patients recovering from hip surgery and, the renovation of a patio space to allow patients access to fresh air, sunshine and entertainment activities.

The Common Good runs social enterprise businesses to support its operational and administrative costs. This includes cafes at The Prince Charles Hospital, Kedron Emergency Services and Caboolture Hospital as well as a catering business. The Foundation recently expanded its café operations to include Police Head Quarters at Roma Street. The social enterprise model means that when people donate to the Foundation, money goes exactly where it was intended, directly towards medical research.

The Foundation would like to thank our brilliant researchers and scientists, trial participants and of course our generous donors for their ongoing support and commitment to medical innovation.

A message from The Common Good

RESEARCH SNAPSHOT 2021