Grampians Health launches Australia’s first mobile clinical trials unit

Grampians Health has launched a dedicated mobile clinical trials unit bringing research, innovation, and care directly to Western Victorian regional and rural communities. The initiative solidifies our commitment to ensuring every Australian, no matter where they live, has access to the right treatment at the right time.  

In an Australian first, the Grampians Health mobile clinical trials unit will transform community access to cutting-edge research and innovative treatments. 

“Our mobile clinical trials unit will help close the gap for our regional and rural patients who face poorer health outcomes, by bringing the latest clinical research and therapies directly to them – delivering care closer to, or even at, home” said Professor Matthew Hadfield, Grampians Health Chief Medical Officer.  

This initiative brings Grampians Health to the forefront of clinical research and equitable healthcare making it easier for rural patients to access the latest treatments closer to home, while driving greater inclusion, innovation, and improved health across the community. 

The unit, purchased second-hand, was previously used as a mobile laboratory and will enable experienced Grampians Health clinical trial staff to provide trial-related care to patients currently enrolled in clinical trials. Each trial and patient will be assessed for suitability with the aim to reduce the travel burden experienced by our community. 

The unit is equipped with the medical technology required to deliver components of care related to diverse clinical trials on-site, enabling Victorians to participate in research without the frequent need to travel to a regional or metropolitan hospital for treatment. 

“Every kilometre our mobile clinical trials unit travels represents greater access, better outcomes, and stronger communities for our people in regional and rural areas, reducing the stress and burden on patients and their families,” said Professor Hadfield. 

Hamilton grandfather, Barry Baulch, will be among the first clinical trial participants to receive innovative treatment and care via the new mobile clinical trials unit – and he can already see its immeasurable benefits. 

With Grampians Health currently the only regional Victorian centre running this Phase I oncology trial, Barry and his wife Bev have long endured the tyranny of distance – travelling hundreds of kilometres in the five-hour round trip from their Hamilton home to Ballarat. 

Barry, who has been on a Phase 1 oncology clinical trial for metastatic lung disease since June last year, looks right at home in the mobile clinical trials unit at Grampians Health. Soon, that home will quite literally be his own. 

“For Bev and me, having the mobile clinical trials bus come to us in Hamilton will really take the pressure off,” said Barry. “You go through so much with cancer already without adding the extra stress and burden of travel.” 

Currently, the couple spends up to two days each week in Ballarat at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) receiving treatment. Soon, Barry will be able to receive some of the trial-related care at home, thanks to the mobile clinical trials unit. 

“Having the mobile unit pull up outside our home will make things so much easier,” said Barry. “I won’t have to travel two and a half hours to Ballarat for every trial visit.” 

After more than 50 years of marriage, the Baulchs are looking forward to having more time for the simple pleasures – sleeping in, relaxing at home, and spending time with their two daughters and four grandchildren. They are grateful for the clinical trial, providing hope and comfort that it may help others. 

Long-term Hamilton locals, the couple hopes the mobile clinical trials unit will bring the same benefits to others across the Grampians region. 

“We know how hard it is for so many regional and rural patients who face long travel times for treatment,” said Barry. “We really hope the mobile clinical trials unit helps ease that burden for others too.” 

One-third of Australians live outside major cities, yet only a fraction can participate in clinical trials due to barriers such as travel distance, time, and cost. Regional communities also experience higher rates of chronic disease and poorer health outcomes yet have limited access to clinical trials. This innovative initiative helps bridge that gap by bringing critical research and new treatments directly to them. 

The mobile clinical trials unit also features artwork from First Nation Artist, Darlene Rumler. 

The artwork, ‘Woven art’, pays tribute to and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of South-West Victoria, tied together and linked through history, kinship, Country, and connections, learning together and paying tribute to healing in modern, contemporary and traditional methods.  

“Regional and rural people are currently underrepresented in clinical research and are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes,” said Professor Hadfield.  

“Our aim is to increase participation in clinical research for all our community, including First Nations people, who are also disproportionately represented in clinical trials. The mobile unit is one of many steps we are undertaking to ensure inclusion and equity of access for all.” 

In addition to supporting clinical trials participation and patient care, the unit will also serve as a community engagement hub to build awareness and understanding of clinical trials and their role in advancing healthcare. It provides an important connection point linking communities with local and national research opportunities. 

Clinical trials are an essential part of the healthcare system. With about 100 clinical trials currently open, Grampians Health is proud to host the largest clinical trials unit in western Victoria. Our program offers trials in a range of clinical conditions including oncology, cardiology, haematology, neurology, anaesthetics, renal medicine and intensive care.  

Without clinical trials, new medicines and medical devices cannot be approved for use in Australia. Clinical trials can give patients early access to innovative treatments that have been proven successful well before they are available to the public. They can improve quality of life for a range of diseases and contribute to the development of new and improved treatment.  

To learn more about Grampians Health research and clinical trials, please visit research.gh.org.au