06 September 2011

Record investment and more certainty for medical research

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will invest a massive $105.6 million in medical research in the 2011-12 Budget, significantly more than the previous Labor Government, the Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, said today.

This includes $32 million for the Medical Research Support Program which supports infrastructure and operating costs for 17 medical research institutes across NSW.

Mrs Skinner said she was thrilled to commit these record funds for medical research - a vital aspect of health care in this state.

“Our highly-talented medical researchers can rest assured the NSW Government understands the life-changing difference their work makes,” she said.

Major investments in Medical Research in 2011-12 include:

• Over $60 million for capital grants to the Westmead Millennium Institute, Australian Advanced Treatment Centre at Prince Of Wales Hospital, Neuroscience Research Australia, and the Children’s Medical Research Institute at Westmead.
• $32 million for the Medical Research Support Program which supports infrastructure and operating costs for 17 medical research institutes in NSW. This includes rolling $10 million into the base funding that was previously only “top up” funding, and a $5 million boost as per election commitments. 
• Almost $3 million for the Spinal Cord Injury and Other Related Neurological Conditions Research Grants Program.
• Almost $10 million for the Translational Cancer Research Program, with grants administered by the Cancer Institute NSW.

“I know that it is research that brings us life-saving treatments, medicines and equipment which improve patient outcomes,” Mrs Skinner said

“I am delighted today to back-up my passion for medical research with a significant expenditure of funds to ensure NSW can compete on a world stage,” she said.

“This record investment supports research that will deliver practical benefits to the people of NSW.  This will occur through advancements in treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, spinal cord injury, obesity, respiratory disorders and other chronic diseases.

“The NSW Government has also established an Office for Medical Research and is developing our first 10-year Health and Medical Research Strategic Plan.”