​Frank Bloomfield
​Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), The University of Auckland, NZ)

​Frank Bloomfield is Ihorua (Rangahau) | Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland and a Professor of Neonatology. He previously was Director of the Liggins Institute and a consultant neonatologist at National Women’s Health. Frank trained in Manchester, Auckland and Toronto. He recently led a national collaboration developing recommendations for clinical trials infrastructure for Aotearoa New Zealand.

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​Enhancing Aotearoa Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are a critical element of a modern, effective, learning healthcare system. Evidence from clinical trials ensures appropriateness of healthcare, supporting both the introduction of new approaches and the disinvestment from practices that are found not be improve outcomes or be cost-effective.

This presentation will outline and discuss the recent Ministry of Health and HRC-funded project to deliver a roadmap for enhancing clinical trials in Aotearoa New Zealand. The project included reviews of the current state of clinical trials, both in New Zealand and internationally, and engaged with a wide variety of stakeholders to understand what was required for New Zealand to have an equitable and sustainable clinical trials infrastructure.
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Key findings include that research must be recognised and promoted as core activity for clinical staff at all levels of the healthcare system, rather than an activity to be tolerated or hindered, requiring strong national leadership. The economic case for clinical trials as a critical part of the healthcare system is clear yet clearly-defined career paths for staff involved in clinical research in the healthcare system are lacking and need addressing.