Australia’s first mobile clinical trials unit earns national recognition

Grampians Health has been recognised on the international stage, winning the 2026 Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Site Spark Award for its Australian-first mobile service bringing clinical trials directly to regional and rural communities across western Victoria.

Launched last year, the initiative uses a second-hand Sprinter van, previously operated as a mobile laboratory, which has been transformed into a mobile clinical trials unit. Equipped with the medical technology required to deliver components of care associated with diverse clinical trials, the unit enables experienced Grampians Health clinical trial staff to provide trial-related care to patients currently enrolled in clinical trials closer to home.

For Grampians Health Director of Research, Ashleigh Clarke, seeing the dream of a mobile clinical trials unit come to fruition is more important than any recognition.

“Whilst the accolade is wonderful, to be able to offer our regional and rural patients the opportunity to access innovative world-class clinical research is what we are most proud of,” said Clarke.

Grampians Health Chief Medical Officer Professor Matthew Hadfield said the recognition acknowledged the health service’s commitment to improving equity of access to innovative healthcare and clinical research.

“This award demonstrates that world-leading research innovation can come from a regional centre. We are proud to be improving access, inclusion and equity in clinical trials,” said Professor Hadfield. “Too often, geography determines healthcare opportunities. Our mobile clinical trials unit is changing that by bringing research directly to people in their own communities.” 

The service is designed to reduce the need for patients to make frequent journeys to regional or metropolitan hospitals for treatment, helping Victorians in rural and regional communities participate in research without the burden of repeated long-distance travel.

Hamilton grandfather Barry Baulch was among the first clinical trial participants to receive innovative treatment and care through the new mobile unit.

Grampians Health was the only regional Victorian centre running a specific Phase 1 trial for metastatic lung disease, meaning Barry and his wife, Bev, had long endured the tyranny of distance, travelling hundreds of kilometres in the five-hour round trip between their Hamilton home and Ballarat.

“For Bev and me, having the mobile clinical trials bus come to us in Hamilton takes the pressure off,” said Barry.

Previously, the couple spent up to two days each week in Ballarat at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) receiving treatment. With the introduction of the mobile clinical trials unit, Barry has been able to receive some trial-related care closer to home.

“Having the mobile unit pull up outside our home will make things so much easier,” said Barry. “I won’t have to travel two and a half hours to Ballarat for every trial visit. We know how hard it is for so many regional and rural patients who face long travel times for treatment. We really hope the mobile clinical trials unit helps ease that burden for others too.”

Beyond delivering clinical trial care, the mobile clinical trials unit also serves as a community engagement hub, building awareness and understanding of clinical trials and their role in advancing healthcare. It provides an important connection point between regional communities and local and national research opportunities, helping strengthen access to clinical research beyond traditional hospital settings.

The unit also carries a strong connection to the region through its design. Featuring artwork from First Nation Artist, Darlene Rumler, ‘Woven art’ pays tribute to and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of South-West Victoria, tied together and linked through history, kinship, Country, and connections, learning together and paying tribute to healing in modern, contemporary and traditional methods.

With community support, Grampians Health plans to expand its clinical trials program further and develop a purpose-built Clinical Research Centre to ensure more people living in regional Victoria can benefit from the latest treatments without travelling to Melbourne.

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