Menzies School of Health Research has received $680,000 from Diabetes Australia and Lilly Australia to expand its Territory Kidney Care clinical information system to support more coordinated care for people with complex chronic disease in the Northern Territory.
The funding will be used to strengthen the digital health platform, which integrates data from previously siloed medical records and is already used by more than 1500 clinicians, as well as establish two identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research positions at Menzies.
In partnership with government, community-controlled and private health services across the NT, Menzies has built a clinical information system that integrates and synthesises health data from previously siloed medical records.
This new collaboration will enable Menzies to strengthen TKC’s capabilities, providing technology-enabled models of care that enhance co-ordination of healthcare. This will be particularly valuable for people living with multiple chronic conditions, where a more integrated approach will support better health outcomes.
Kidney health ‘key’
Diabetes Australia’s Group CEO Justine Cain said the investment reflected a deep commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to delivering local, culturally safe services.
“Kidney health is key to ongoing diabetes care and is a key indicator of health and complication outcomes. Diabetes shouldn’t cost your kidneys.” Ms Cain said.
“It is completely unacceptable that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to be disproportionally impacted by diabetes. Diabetes Australia is committed to real change that will support healthier futures.
“We’re proud to partner with Lilly Australia and Menzies School of Health Research to directly support communities where kidney, diabetes and heart healthcare is greatly needed.”
Eli Lilly (Lilly) Australia General Manager Manny Simons said, “No one organisation can solve the complex challenges of diabetes, kidney and cardiovascular disease.”
“At Lilly, we are committed to supporting initiatives that address health inequities and improve access to more connected, coordinated care. This investment reflects our belief that locally led, evidence-based solutions can improve health outcomes and inform future models of care across Australia.”
Menzies School of Health Research’s Director, Professor Alan Cass said, “too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory are impacted by diabetes, kidney and heart disease.”
“TKC has brought together research, health service, government and community partners to develop a clinical decision support and data sharing platform to provide the best care to people with complex chronic disease. Together we are working to Close the Gap and reduce the ever-increasing number of people needing dialysis across remote Australia,” he said.
Lilly Australia will contribute $430,000 and Diabetes Australia will contribute $250,000 to the partnership.
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