Support for researchers

There is a dedicated team offering specialised support services to assist in the development, governance and implementation of effective research across our health service. The team supports CAHS researchers as well as our partners who engage in research at our sites or with our patients.

We look forward to hearing from experienced researchers or those looking to start their research journey at CAHS. There are many ways we can improve and enhance the quality of your research.

Contact the team at CAHS.ResearchSupport@health.wa.gov.au to find out more. View the CAHS Research and Support Updates presentation for a summary.

We are grateful to Telethon Perth for their funding contribution towards the research support team.

The CAHS Research Ethics and Governance team oversees the review and approval of all human research conducted within PCH, Community Health and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Human research projects cannot commence at PCH and other CAHS sites until they have both ethical approval (which includes approval of the scientific integrity of the research) and site governance approval.

Find out more about Ethics and governance.

There are staff in the team who can provide expert advice about the necessary resources and contacts to plan and undertake high quality research. Support can be provided at any stage of project design, project review, feasibility, research facilities, ethics and site approval and the ongoing monitoring of your research project.

The CAHS Research Education Program is an open-access resource that includes the Research Skills Seminar Series and a number of workshops throughout the year to facilitate research projects by busy students and staff from any clinical background.  Find out more about the Research Education Program.

Get expert advice about research budgets, human resource requirements, cost centre creation, and ongoing research-finance monitoring.

Strategic communications advice and support is available to ensure research projects utilise appropriate and effective communications tools and methods while providing appropriate recognition for the health service, partners and funders. Assistance can be offered at any stage of a project. Positive promotion of research findings and achievements is also encouraged by working with the Communications Coordinator, Research. Find out more Communications and marketing.

Research projects often have a funding allocation for a research nurse, but there can be delays and challenges with finding the right person in a reasonable timeframe. The CAHS Research Nurse Register is available to connect interested nurses with suitable research projects. The short term appointments can range from three to six months in duration.

For further information about joining or accessing the register, please contact Rachel West, Clinical Nurse Manager Research on (08) 6456 5603 or via email.


Biostatisticians can provide support in a broad range of areas including:

  • study design advice
  • assistance with defining (articulating) the research question
  • analysis plan design and write up
  • assessing study parameters like sample size and power calculation
  • discussing modelling strategies
  • and assisting with the reporting or presentation of research findings.
Find out more Biostatistics.

Researchers can access data management support for anything from case report form design, data capture methods, data storage methods, and everything in between. Find out more Data management.

There is an increasing emphasis on involving consumers and community members in research to improve research outcomes for the WA community. 

The Consumer and Community Health Research Network (CCHRN), an enabling platform of the WA Health Translation Network (WAHTN), provides free training, resources and information for researchers on how to involve community members in research, help identify consumers, and get advice about how to plan and budget for consumer involvement. 

The CCHRN can assist researchers with planning and conducting consumer and community involvement at all stages of the research process. For more information about consumer involvement in research and on CCHRN services, visit the Involving People in Research website.

If you’d like to get in touch with the CCHRN or need to request support for consumer and community involvement in your research, please email admin@involvingpeopleinresearch.org.au or call (08) 6151 1071.

The Clinical Trials Liaison Officer (CTLO) helps you step through the start-up phase of a clinical trial. By providing advice and direction in assessing the feasibility, and governance requirements of clinical trials, as well as, acting as the primary contact for commercial sponsors, the CTLO works with you to streamline the process of initiating clinical trials at CAHS.

For further information, please contact Lesley Banfield on (08) 6456 5529 or via email.


Last Updated: 23/04/2020