WA Health leaders chart ambitious future at Office of Medical Research and Innovation Roundtable
Attendees at the HSP Medical Research and Innovation Roundtable.
Leaders from across Western Australia’s health sector gathered on 4 November 2025 for the Health Service Provider (HSP) Medical Research and Innovation Roundtable, a landmark event dedicated to advancing medical research, innovation, and translation throughout the state.
Facilitated by the Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) and supported by the WA Health and Medical Research Strategy, the roundtable brought together board chairs, executives, clinicians, and researchers from all WA Health Service Providers (HSPs), alongside government representatives and key partners.
Setting the scene for collaboration
The event opened with a warm welcome and an Acknowledgement of Country, led by the Hon. Stephen Dawson, Minister for Medical Research, and Dr Shirley Bowen, Director General of the Department of Health. Both emphasised the importance of partnership, respect for Aboriginal knowledge, and the shared vision for a healthier future for all West Australians.
Showcasing statewide excellence
Each HSP presented on their current research and innovation strategies, achievements, and future ambitions:
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Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) highlighted its journey towards research excellence, including streamlined governance, a new research strategy, and a strong focus on clinical trials and paediatric cancer research. The Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre and pioneering immunology and vaccine research were showcased as flagship initiatives.
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East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) demonstrated its leadership in digital health and artificial intelligence, with the HIVE virtual care platform and innovative approaches to patient monitoring and predictive analytics.
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North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) outlined its new Research and Innovation Strategy 2025–2030, developed through extensive consultation, and its commitment to building a world-class research ecosystem that delivers real patient benefits.
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PathWest underscored its role as the backbone of WA’s research infrastructure, managing around 700 active clinical trials and driving translational research in genomics, diagnostics, and infectious disease surveillance.
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South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) celebrated its research achievements in urology, cardiovascular disease, and innovation, with a strong emphasis on clinician-led research and strategic partnerships.
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WA Country Health Service (WACHS) shared its global leadership in rural and remote healthcare innovation, including mobile clinical trial centres and programs to build research capacity among country clinicians.
Vision for the future
A key feature of the roundtable was a collaborative discussion on the vision for medical research, innovation, and translation within WA Health, set within the context of the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Strategy 2025–30. Participants explored opportunities to maximise impact, accelerate translation of research into practice, and ensure equitable access to innovation across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities.
Next steps
The event concluded with closing remarks from Minister Dawson, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting research and innovation as central pillars of the state’s health system. Next steps include ongoing collaboration across HSPs, further investment in research infrastructure, and a renewed focus on translating discoveries into better health outcomes for all West Australians.
For more information about the roundtable or to get involved in future initiatives, please contact the Office of Medical Research and Innovation at doh.omri@health.wa.gov.au.