Public health research to have greater profile

Press, 19 December 1989, Page 6

Public health research to have greater profile

Wellington reporter Greater priority could be given to public health research as a result of the establishment of a new Health Research Council, said the Minister of Health, Ms Clark. The new body would replace the 52-year-old Medical Research Council and would be responsible for setting priorities for health research. “The Government agrees that it should continue to be a major funder of health research. It also agrees that health research should continue to be funded through Vote: Health because health research is an integral part of the health industry,” Ms CLark said. Three standing committees would advise the council on biomedical, Maori health and public health research. Yesterday’s announcement followed long discussions over the future of medical and health research in the context of more sweeping changes to scientific research. The Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, said that a Cabinet committee had long discussions on the question of health research being separate from the new Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. Each of the three standing committees would advise the

council on research priorities within its field, and on the research proposals to be supported. But the Government has made it clear it wants greater priority given to public health research, in line with the Health Charter , principles it released last week. “The new structure will be able to build on recent initiatives to increase research in the areas of public health, as well as continuing to fund biomedical research,” said Ms Clark. The Medical Research Council had earlier said it would not call for proposals early next year because of uncertainty over the Government’s plans. But Ms Clark said the council had now said that it would early in the New Year reconsider its options for the closing dates for research applications for 1990. The Medical Research Council would continue to administer and disburse funds until 1990, to ensure minimal disruption to research during the transition to the new body. The Health Research Council will not own research facilities or directly employ staff. Existing Medical Research Council research units could go independent or become depart-mental-based research groups within their present host institution. They would be funded on

the same contestable grant system as other research groups. All applications for health resarch grants would be submitted to a properly constituted ethical committee for independent assessment. The new council will comprise no more than nine members, with four health professionals or researchers, three members from such areas as community affairs, law or management; an area health board representative; and the Director General of Health or nominee. • The President of the Public Health Association, Professor Andrew Hornblow, said the research community would welcome the establishment of the new research body. He said there had been uncertainty among researchers about the future direction of medical research, and fears that it would be absorbed within the broader field of science and technology.

A single vote allocation through Vote: Health would allow the council to give higher priority to public and Maori health, without unduly constraining granting procedures, he said. He also welcomed the retention of a triennial grant to medical research, saying it was vital for its ongoing success.