The Victorian government has established a $260,000 medtech innovation partnership with the University of Melbourne and Bendigo Health.
The new acceleration program is intended to help accelerate the development of medtech products in Bendigo and marks the first time the initiative expanded to regional Victoria.
The program, supported by the state government’s Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre, will convene clinicians, researchers, engineers, and manufacturers to support medtech projects across the hospital.
Bendigo Health will fully operate the program after 12 months, the Victorian state government said in its announcement.
“We will continue to back Victoria to become a global centre for medtech innovation and are proud to be expanding this fantastic program to Bendigo,” said Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Ben Carroll.
“Our regional clinicians understand the unmet health needs of our community and this collaboration offers the chance to translate their ideas into practical care solutions,” said Dr Angela Crombie, director of research and innovation at Bendigo Health.
“It’s important that regional communities like Bendigo share the benefits of our investments in medtech innovation that are creating jobs and improving the lives of people worldwide,” Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said.
This latest rendition of the program for Bendigo follows the previously established partnerships with the University of Melbourne, Western Health, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The program led to the creation of the McMonty by MediHood, a personal ventilator hood for hospital beds and the Stroke Rapid Diagnostic Test, which allows paramedics and clinicians to quickly determine the cause of a stroke and help them decide whether to administer life-saving treatment.
The Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre is a $20 million government initiative designed to support the growth of medical technology manufacturing in the state.
