The McKeon Review report into Australia’s health and medical research sector has been released following more than 12 months of consultations, public meetings, and the examining of more than 300 written submissions.

The report of the McKeon Review - Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research - Better Health through Research, outlined 21 recommendations, including a long-term vision of a fully integrated health and medical research sector.

Burnet Institute Director and AAMRI President, Professor Brendan Crabb said the review highlights the enormous benefits to the health and wealth of all Australians that flows from the nation’s strong medical research sector.

“It provides a timely and much-needed blueprint to guide government’s investment in health and medical research to meet the huge challenges that our health and hospital system will face in the next decade,” Professor Crabb said.

He was especially encouraged that Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek intended to work with her state and territory counterparts in formulating an integrated national response.

Ms Plibersek said the review focused on maximising Australia’s capacity to produce world-class health and medical research, from discovery through to translation.

“It found that Australia has one of the world’s best performing health systems. But we need new strategies and processes to drive improvements in healthcare delivery through a renewed and fully integrated health and medical research sector,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The overarching vision of the report is embedding health and medical research into all aspects of the health system. This is because health services that conduct research deliver better health outcomes for patients.

“The review recommends a 10 years strategy with 21 recommendations across a number of themes. The government will engage with relevant parties in formulating its response.”

CLICK HERE to access the McKeon Review in full.