End of Year Update

What a year 2020 has been!

Thank you to everyone who has dedicated their time and effort to the study over the last year, it has been challenging but rewarding. Since the NHMRC funding announcement in January, the study team has worked hard to continue the pilot study at Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative and Goulburn Valley Health recruiting over 30 participants. Well done to Donna, Tracey and Rosemary (who has recently left the team).

In June, Austin Health was added as a site for the pilot study. Thank you to all clinicians for referring patients to the study. During the winter months and in the midst of the second lockdown in Melbourne, the team worked hard on developing the protocol and patient facing materials. Ethics was submitted to St. Vincent’s HREC (Ethics) on the 18th August and on the 19th November, we received Lead HREC Approval! This is a significant milestone in moving the study forward to other sites across Australia.

We have continued to discuss the FlashGM study with sites across Australia. Since obtaining HREC (Ethics) approval, the team have had more in depth discussions about the study with Apunipima Cape York Health and Wuchopperen Medical Corporation in Cairns and Maari Ma Aboriginal Cooperative in Broken Hill, New South Wales. Thank you to all the staff who have taken time from their busy schedules to meet with the team and continue their involvement in the FlashGM study. We look forward to starting the trial at your sites in 2021!

As the year winds down, it is often a space to reflect on the year that was. Whilst 2020 tested our ability to adapt, it also tested our abilities to respond. It has made us consider new ways of working, collaborating and connecting with one another. My hope for 2021, is that we can continue to build on these connections, not only remotely but face-to-face and that we can continue to work together on the FlashGM Study! Thank you to all for your efforts! Seasons Greetings and have a safe and Happy New Year