C&C DHB Clinical Trials Unit opens

Capital & Coast DHB’s new Clinical Trials Unit was officially opened by Professor Sir Paul Callaghan, and Chair of the Health Select Committee Dr Paul Hutchison, MP for Hunua, on April 29.

Prof Richard Beasley, Sir Paul Callaghan, Marina Dzhelali and Dr Kyle Perrin in the new unit

The new unit aims to build on C&C DHB’s existing relationships and current research collaboration between Victoria University, Otago University and MRINZ. It provides academic support and infrastructure to enable researchers to design and undertake high quality rigorous, multi-centre trials in compliance with good clinical practice guidelines.

“This is a significant step for Wellington Hospital and the DHB. With a large percentage of our medical graduates ending up overseas this is one way to help retain them by making C&C DHB a more attractive environment for people to work at,” said Sir Paul, who was made New Zealander of the Year in 2011. “We often hear that we need to build a knowledge economy and in the field of healthcare we are becoming innovators with medical companies being one of our largest exporters.

“Running a clinical trial and looking at the evidence takes care and courage and an over arching self-consistency. This is tough because often the remedies we imagine don’t actually work. One of the great medical discoveries is the randomised placebo test where we design a test, carry it out without bias and get accurate data and I hope that this new unit makes Capital & Coast a centre of excellence in clinical trials.”
On a personal note, Sir Paul said as a regular visitor to Wellington hospital for cancer treatment he had been overwhelmed by the compassion he had received. “I have been on a remarkable journey and the culture of caring I have had is outstanding – and that’s even before I walk out and hear the pianist welcoming me into the Atrium.”

Chair of the Health Select Committee Dr Paul Hutchison said he had fond memories of Wellington Hospital as it was where he had his first job as a house surgeon in the 1970s. “Since my days as a house surgeon there’s no doubt that the health sector has become a more challenging environment, but with those challenges brings opportunities. This government recognises that science and innovation are the cornerstones of our economy and New Zealand has a flourishing medical technology sector valued this week as being over $650 million per annum and growing.

“What all trials have in common is this: they started with an idea, were trialled, and became treatments that benefit patients. The Unit we are opening today will encourage more clinicians, researchers and investors to follow that path.

“Like science and innovation itself, this unit is built on a spirit of adventure, curiosity and looking ahead. It brings together knowledge and skills for the betterment of our health workforce and, ultimately, our patients. I look forward to seeing it build on the innovative potential in this room and beyond, to enhance the economy and the health of New Zealanders.

First study announced

At the opening, Professor Richard Beasley announced that the first study would be a Health Research Council of New Zealand funded influenza trial, led by Dr Kyle Perrin and himself. The trial is expected to commence in June 2011, at the onset of the seasonal flu epidemic, and will be a randomised clinical trial of 80 patients from the Wellington community. They will be admitted to the clinical trials unit for 2 days and be randomised to receive either paracetamol or placebo.

“This a fantastic opportunity for us but it will be just the beginning of many clinical trials that we plan on doing,” said Richard. “If evidence–based medicine is the foundation of modern clinical practice, we have an obligation to make clinical research an integral part of our practice. Due to the foresight and vision of the senior management at C&C DHB and the support of the Board, we now have the opportunity and facilities to do this. The importance placed on teaching and research should firmly establish Wellington Regional Hospital as an academic University-based teaching and research hospital.”