The Rural, Regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Program is expanding access to clinical trials across NSW and the ACT, making it easier for people to participate closer to home.
The Program builds local capacity by strengthening the health workforce, improving infrastructure and raising community awareness. Doctors, nurses and health teams are supported to develop the skills needed to plan and deliver trials to international standards. This is creating more opportunities for trials in local hospitals, community health centres, general practices and Aboriginal Medical Services.
The Program is locally led with three geographical Clusters – Northern, Western and Southern – delivering clinical trials across rural, regional and remote NSW and the ACT.
This initiative is a partnership between NSW Health and the ACT Government with funding from the Australian Government under the Medical Research Future Fund.
Learn more about the three geographical Clusters
Introducing the Program Clusters
Locally led by three geographical Clusters – Northern, Western and Southern – the Program supports the delivery of clinical trials across rural, regional and remote NSW and the ACT. This structure ensures research reflects the needs of local communities and gives people access to trials closer to home.
The Clusters are a collaborative network of Local Health Districts and Canberra Health Services.
Together, they are building a sustainable clinical trial ecosystem across rural, regional and remote areas by combining expertise in trial operations with strong partnerships across the health and research sectors. The goal is to create scalable service models that respond to local needs.
Each Cluster hosts a Clinical Trial Support Unit to:
- facilitate trials across all therapeutic areas
- support trial start-up and close-out
- coordinate participant recruitment
- build a skilled workforce
- nurture local research leadership
- provide business development support
- strengthen investigator-initiated trial capacity through academic partnerships.
Learn more about clinical trials
Why are clinical trials important in rural, regional and remote areas?
Clinical trials provide early access to new treatments and contribute to stronger health care services by raising standards of treatment. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff involved in clinical trials receive ongoing training, ensuring patients benefit from best practice patient care. Australian clinical trials are internationally recognised for their high-quality and focus on patient care.
Why take part in clinical research?
Participating in clinical trials close to home generates valuable knowledge that directly benefits individuals and strengthens the health of rural, regional and remote communities across NSW and the ACT, both now and into the future.
Learn more
- Consumers: click here to learn more about clinical trials and how you can participate
- NSW Health clinical trial workforce: request access to the Program’s SharePoint site for useful resources and assets to support your work
- Sponsors and Contract Research Organisations: visit our Cluster pages to learn about opportunities to collaborate.
Two women learning about clinical trials (stock image)
Updated 2 months ago