medical-devices-fund-2014

AMessagefrom theMinisterOctober 2014The NSW Government iscommitted to building worldclass health and medical researchcapability in NSW. Already morethan half of Australia’s medicaldevices industry in based in NSW.Our Medical Devices Fund andcommercialisation traininginitiatives are building on thesector to encourage and enablethe translation of innovationsto the benefit of patients.The Government understands that qualitymedical research leads to much greaterknowledge and understanding of specificdiseases, new treatments and medicines,new skills, better practices and, above all,better outcomes.The NSW Government committed $5 millionannually for the Medical Devices Fund (MDF)to support researchers and encourage furtherinvestment in new medical devices that cancontribute to the discovery and application ofnew treatments and diagnostic techniques toimprove patient outcomes. This year the NSWGovernment made $7.7 million available.To further enhance patient outcomes,this round of MDF encouraged potentialapplicants to engage with clinicians early inthe proof of concept phase of development.Early partnerships between clinicians andresearchers are important to identifying needsand maximising opportunities for translatingresearch from bench to bedside.As Minister for Health and Minister for MedicalResearch, I am passionate about medicalresearch and ensuring that it is translated intobetter health outcomes for the people of thisstate. Once again, I am impressed by the highquality research and innovative solutions beingdeveloped within our universities and publiclyfunded organisations.Our initiatives are designed to complementexisting efforts to create pathways for NSWclinicians, scientists and engineers to practiceand advance technologies in NSW. This year, Iannounced the Medical Devices CommercialisationTraining Program. Another resource to help buildour capability in translating medical technologyin NSW.Rapidly developing technologies are providingnew ways of seeing problems and sharpeningour focus on possible solutions. NSW isinvesting in both the equipment and skillsneeded to capitalise on technologicaladvancements so that our patients and thecommunity can benefit.The recipients of the Medical Devices Fundwill be instrumental in the application of newtreatments, diagnostic techniques and devicesthat will be major contributors to healthimprovements into the future.I offer most sincere thanks to Professor MaryO’Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer,the members of the Assessment Panel andthe support staff in the Office for Health andMedical Research who provided outstandingleadership throughout the evaluation processfor the NSW Medical Devices Fund 2014. Tothe many individuals and organisations whosubmitted applications this year as well as thegrant recipients from last year, I thank you foryour innovative ideas and persistence. Yourefforts provide hope for future medicalbreakthroughs in NSW.Hon Jillian Skinner MPMinister for HealthMinister for Medical Research2 NSW HEALTH Medical Devices Fund 2014