Notice to all members and research partner agencies of the Centre for Health Research and Practice

At the CHRP Committee of Management meeting on Friday 17 October 2008, it was unanimously resolved to disband the Centre for Health Research and Practice. This will take effect on 31 December 2008.

Current projects, future projects, existing functions and staff of the Centre will be transferred to the School of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities. This will in no way affect current projects within the Centre and they will continue as normal. The School of Nursing will continue its research projects and activities separately.

Further details will be provided to all members and research partner agencies in the coming month. Please be assured that all existing projects will be completed in accordance with contractual agreements.

Through the School of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities, all current staff of the Centre look forward to working with you on other projects in the future and welcome your research enquiries.

I would like to thank you for your interest in the Centre.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on (03) 5327 9818 or email j.mcdonald@ballarat.edu.au

“Quality research and post graduate education focusing on the health and wellbeing of individuals and the community”

The Centre for Health Research and Practice (CHRP) is one of four designated research Centres under the Institute for Regional and Rural Research and Innovation (IRRRI) at the University of Ballarat.

Located at the Mt Helen Campus, CHRP comprises Director A/Prof John McDonald and over 80 staff and post graduate students from its two member Schools of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities and Nursing. The Centre also has a small core of associate members who are active researchers working in other Schools within the University or in organisations and agencies outside the University. All Centre members have strong research and practice backgrounds in disciplines including psychology, nursing, sociology, and welfare.

The Centre fulfills two important and distinct roles: (1) to support and promote the research expertise of its members, and (2) to provide consultancy and research expertise through services to the wider community. To address these roles, two interdependent units within CHRP have been established:

• Priority Driven Research: The Centre provides a significant role in fostering and promoting the research expertise of its members by supporting their research activities. The areas of research expertise of Centre members includes: Chronic illness management & treatment; Rural professional practice; Psycho-oncology and palliative care approaches; Belonging and connectedness; Child and adolescent well-being and development; Rural health and well being; Mental health; Research to Enhance the Health Health and Welfare Sector; Community development and community capacity building; Information technology and support in health settings; Recruitment and retention of health professionals; Clinical leadership in nursing; Aged care and healthy ageing.

• Research and Capacity Building Services: This arm of CHRP provides research and consultancy services to the wider community. The work is characterised by a high standard of quality research that provides value to the customer and the community. A selection of some of the services that can be provided through this unit include: workforce capacity building; community profiles; community health planning and surveys; developing appropriate research methodologies and tools; feasibility studies/needs analysis; service mapping; spatial mapping; strategic planning; program evaluations.