Monash public health alliance backs global approach to better health

Global health care research stands to gain from the innovative approach underpinned by the new Monash Warwick Health Care Improvement Alliance, which will draw on a AUD$5-million investment from both universities including AUD$3.7 million from the Monash Warwick Alliance.
The new health care alliance brings together the medical and business schools of Monash University and the University of Warwick with the aim of improving health care through collaborative and innovative approaches to research and subsequent clinical practice.

With a team headed by Professors John McNeil, Helena Teede and Ian McLoughlin from Monash University and Professors Graeme Currie and Richard Lilford from University of Warwick, the research will focus on improving practices and policies in Australia and the UK at both local and international levels.
In these and other comparable nations, core policy objectives are patient health care experience and quality of life; quality of health care; and the accessibility, equity and sustainable affordability of health care.
Professor McNeil, head of the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said the challenges facing health care systems could not be tackled by a single discipline or institution.
Collaboration therefore provided a powerful opportunity to make change on a global scale.
“By supporting the development of health care improvement science as a core research and educational activity, the two universities will generate new knowledge and understanding that will impact on changes to health care policy and practices in Australia, the UK and globally,” Professor McNeil said.
The health care alliance incorporates Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the Faculty of Business and Economics and Monash Business School, along with the University of Warwick’s School of Business and School of Medicine.
Collaborative research opportunities will also be provided through the NIHR (UK National Institute for Health Research) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research & Care for West Midlands (CLAHRC-WM), a five-year initiative to create lasting and effective collaborations across health and social care organisations, universities and local authorities to improve services for patients, involving Professors Currie and Lilford.
Formed in early 2012, the Monash Warwick Alliance represents an innovation in higher education and research and aims to accelerate the exchange of people, ideas and information between Monash University and the University of Warwick.