The Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) is now a national institution with offices across the nation, boosted by $20 million in funding from the federal and Queensland governments.
Established in Brisbane by the CSIRO and the Queensland government in 2003, the centre is used to research new health technologies.
The initiative now features research nodes in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Dr Darrell Williamson, CSIRO ICT Centre deputy director, said the AEHRC has already made progress in using ICT to improve national health outcomes.
These developments take the form of simulated training tools, home monitoring systems and improved imaging techniques to help early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The $20 million injection will fund the initiative until 2012.
“It is an exciting time to be working with AEHRC scientists and engineers who are making great progress in addressing important health issues,” said AEHRC medical director, Professor Bruce Barraclough AO.
AEHRC CEO Gary Morgan said the new funding will help existing projects as well allow for new projects to be undertaken.
“The funding renewal will allow us to complete some major projects as well as initiate some new projects with a national focus,” he said.
“They will be undertaken with some of the best practitioners and hospitals across Australia — ensuring we have the critical mass to apply technology to make a real difference to health outcomes.”
