Executive summary The New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017–2027 will set a 10-year strategic direction for the health research system. Its aim is to ensure that investments in health research make the greatest contribution to the of New Zealanders – to their health and their economic and social wellbeing. In May 2016 the Government published the New Zealand Health Research Strategy: Public discussion document. This formed the for discussions with stakeholders throughout New Zealand on the directions and priorities of the Health Research Strategy. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Ministry of Health and the Health Research Council (HRC) met with a range of stakeholders in the health research system, mostly in May, June and July 2016. They held three government agency workshops, 10 regional consultations and 24 topic-specific workshops, including workshops for prioritisation, Māori health research, Pacific health research and disability research. This document, New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017–2027: Summary of submissions and consultation, presents the analysis of submissions received and the key themes that emerged from the public consultations and groups. MBIE and the Ministry of Health undertook the analysis, with assistance from the HRC. A wide range of stakeholders provided 166 written submissions. These stakeholders included researchers, non-governmental organisations, universities, district health boards and health professional associations. In general, submitters enthusiastically welcomed the development of a strategy for health research in New Zealand. Specifically they noted that the public discussion document provided a useful starting point for developing the strategy. Most stakeholders agreed with the broad direction of the document, while levels of support varied for the draft vision, mission and guiding principles. Most submissions did not respond directly to the 16 specific questions raised in the New Zealand Health Research Strategy: Public discussion document. Typically, submitters used the questions to stimulate discussion around areas of interest to them. Therefore, this analysis identifies broad themes from the submissions rather than the specific responses to questions. Officials will use the insights gained from the consultation process and the submissions to provide advice to Ministers on the New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017–2027. MBIE and the Ministry of Health expect to publish the strategy in 2017. trial
The strongest research is that started as a question in clinical practice, taken to expert researchers, then turned into an answerable research question, checked in the lab and then tested in the clinic or community. (University) use systemic reviews to identify knowledge gaps and avoid duplicating existing research Systemic reviews are used to identify uncertainties that need to be addressed by health research. A database of research priorities thus identified may be utilised when taking funding decisions (e.g. . (District health board) involve the community, not-for-profit organisations and health and social service providers Huge opportunity to better align research practice with local service provision need. For example, the addiction sector could set 5 research priorities which get disseminated to universities/academic institutions with a view to someone there picking up on doing the research in partnership with service and sector needs. (District health board) enable equity of outcomes through the prioritisation process Identification of the factors that determine an individual’s vulnerability to belong in the health system. Unlocking factors to address health inequities. (Other) use a nationally coordinated partnership with district health boards as a mechanism for involving district health boards in the prioritisation process. The Dunedin research prioritisation focus group put forward this idea, as well as suggesting that a national coordinated partnership between district health boards and academics would be a useful mechanism for involving district health boards in the prioritisation process. In addition to providing feedback on research prioritisation models, submissions identified the following specific health research priorities: research to achieve health equity across population groups in New Zealand (including equity of access to services): 44 submissions research on social, environmental and economic determinants of health (both national and international, such as climate change): 30 submissions research on delivery of health services and clinical innovations in both primary and secondary/tertiary care: 26 submissions research on specific groups or conditions (for example, mental health, palliative care, disability, community, rural populations): 26 submissions research focused on translating and implementing the results of health research (for example, clinical trials, and translational, implementation or evaluation research): 22 submissions research by Māori for Māori, acknowledging the Treaty of Waitangi and the special relationship between Māori and the Crown (particularly using Kaupapa Māori methodologies): 20 submissions investigator-led excellent research (investing in of established excellence, internationally competitive high-impact research): 18 submissions trial
research in areas of high burden of disease: 17 submissions research on population-wide, preventive interventions and protective factors: 12 submissions research acknowledging the diversity in the New Zealand population: 11 submissions basic, blue-skies research: 7 submissions longitudinal studies: 3 submissions internationally focused research to remain connected to international research, discoveries and opportunities (including commercial opportunities): 2 submissions. Funding health research Many submissions discussed the funding of health research. Submitters provided many suggestions for enhancing funding arrangements. However, several submissions that represented entire universities noted that New Zealand’s health research system is, in general, working well to deliver excellent research and that sweeping changes are not required. In a related point, submissions from several significant research institutions, as well as participants at consultation focus groups, emphasised the need to retain scientific excellence as the first criterion for funding. In addition, they saw it as important to retain a competitive funding process. Submissions offered a broad range of suggestions for new funding models. They ranged from having a non-competitive funding model for universities to aligning funding levels to the priorities agreed in the New Zealand Health Strategy. Funding streams should be representative of the interaction with the healthcare system. (District health board) The main issues with the existing funding environment for health research, as those providing feedback saw them, are a need for: funding models that enable health practitioners to engage in research longer-term funding models funding models that actively support collaboration and/or co-design funding for research translation and evaluation funding for high-risk research (either innovative research or emerging researchers). Some participants at the consultation meetings raised concerns with the National Science Challenges, while recognising the good intent of the mechanism. Concerns included a perceived lack of transparency on decision-making, the lack of engagement with district health boards, and the size of funding available relative to the outcomes sought.
Royal Society of New Zealand Rural Women New Zealand Spirits New Zealand Southern Cancer Network Southern Institute of Technology Waitakere – Healthy Families Waitakere Stroke Foundation of New Zealand Te Pou Limited Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu Te Rau Matatini Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group – Cancer Research Universities New Zealand Research Committee The University of Auckland The University of Auckland – FMHS Postdoctoral Society The University of Auckland – Health Systems Section, School of Population Health The University of Auckland – Paediatrics, Child & Youth Health; Growing up in NZ and Centre for Longitudinal Research The University of Auckland – Retirement Policy and Research Centre The University of Auckland, School of Population Health – Doctoral students University of Otago University of Otago – Department of Biochemistry University of Otago – Department of Public Health University of Otago – Division of Health Science University of Otago – Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre University of Otago – Faculty of Dentistry University of Otago, Christchurch University of Christchurch – Department of Psychological Medicine University of Waikato Victoria University of Wellington – within the School of Psychology Victoria University of Wellington – Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Victoria University of Wellington – Health Policy & Management, HSR Centre, School of Government Victoria University of Wellington – Research Development Office Virtual Health Information Network Waikato District Health Board Waikato District Health Board and Midland Regional Trauma System Waikato District Health Board – Population Health Waitemata District Health Board – Research Governance Group Wintec Centre for Science and Human Performance
Commercialisation of Health Research Group – Christchurch 25/07/2016 Attendee Number Canterbury District Health 3 CMRT 1 Foot Science 1 Medicines New Zealand 1 Navigator Ltd 1 Ossis 1 University of Canterbury 1 Role of Health Service Agencies Focus Group – Christchurch 25/07/2016* Attendee Number Canterbury District Health Board 4 Health Precinct Advisory Council 1 University of 3 West Coast District Health Board 1 Note: * Some attendees provided multiple affiliations and have therefore been counted more than once. Role of Health Service Agencies Focus Group – Dunedin 26/07/2016* Attendee Number Auckland District Health 1 Canterbury District Health Board 1 Southern District Health Board 1 University of Otago 10 Note: * Some attendees provided multiple affiliations and have therefore been counted more than once. Health Research Prioritisation Focus Group – Dunedin 26/07/2016 Attendee Number University of 13 Health Research Trends and Opportunities Focus Group – Dunedin 26/07/2016 Attendee Number University of Otago 9 Health Research Workforce Focus Group – Dunedin 26/07/2016 Attendee Number