Far North Clinic wins ECU Centre for Precision Health Consumer Engagement Award

Congratulations to researchers from Mental Health Service's Neurosciences Unit, who were recently awarded the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Centre for Precision Health's Consumer Involvement in Research Prize for their ongoing work with the Far North Huntington's Mobile Clinic.

The Far North Huntington’s Mobile Clinic is a consumer-led, co-designed project aiming to explore how to deliver neurological care on Country to Aboriginal families affected by Huntington’s disease.

Senior Research Scientist Melanie Clark thanked her passionate team for going above and beyond for remote communities who often lack the resources and opportunities afforded to less remote areas.

"I am incredibly proud of the team, achievement and the difference we are making in remote communities,” she said.

“Far North Clinic trips are often the highlight of our year."

Families are actively involved at every stage of the service through yarning circles, co-design sessions, and direct feedback to the clinical team or indirect feedback via the project’s Cultural Liaison Officer.

For the first time, winners of the award were chosen by the ECU Centre's Consumer Advisory Panel.

The panel was impressed by the project's focus on real-world priorities and values, with the panel chair noting the clinic was the clear winner with the team going beyond simply seeking consumer input to actively partnering with remote communities to shape the service delivery.

Consumers are at the centre of the project from start to finish and hold ownership of how they are spoken about in project communications.

The team were also commended for working with vulnerable, remote communities which was, sadly, lacking in the remainder of submissions.