Trials and tribulations
Perth is the place for clinical trials and studies right now, especially in the field of cancer research. Here’s a snapshot: The Cancer Council/WAIMR IBIS-II Breast Cancer Prevention Study, one of the few cancer prevention studies available, is in full swing. This study, whose participants are healthy women (not patients) investigates the chemo-preventative role of anastrozole in post-menopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer. pSivida has started its first human trial of their pancreatic cancer treatment BrachySil. The Council on the Ageing’s Living Longer Living Stronger initiative is studying 6,000 elderly participants in the hope of improving strength training to avoid falling-related injuries and deaths. Then there is the Cox/Boudreau GP Burnout study reported in our October edition. It’s good to see WA researchers turning an inward eye on WA’s health rather than looking overseas.
No nightclubs?
Plans for a mini-medical city at the QEII Medical Centre site in Nedlands have been unveiled. A new onsite women’s and children’s hospital is on the drawing board, together with the requisite multi-storey carparks. The total precinct has been described as a ‘mini Northbridge’ (but with sick people and without the nightclubs). The plans are open for public comment until November 13.
Respecting patient choices
Fremantle Hospital is piloting the implementation of Respecting Patient Choices Program (RPCP), an Advance Care Planning (ACP) program which could have an impact on GPs. The program trains medical, nursing, allied health, and pastoral care workers to help patients think about, understand, and make decisions about what is important to them regarding their medical treatment, particularly life-prolonging treatments. A copy of the patient’s completed ACP will be forwarded together with the discharge summary to their GP. The program may be extended into the South Metro area and possibly even statewide.
Where the big bucks are
There are plenty of inequities in the American health system but private investors still see money to be made. The New York Times reports that HCA, the largest hospital operator in the US, is to be bought by a group of private investors for US$21 billion, making it the largest leveraged buy-out in history. HCA has about 180 hospitals and 100 surgery centres, with 2005 revenue of US$25 billion. If that doesn’t sound big enough, Business Week reports that since 2001, 1.7 million jobs have been added in the US health care sector and the annual health spend is more than US$2 trillion. They certainly do things big in America, particularly when there’s a buck to be made.
Sirtex strife
The strife at Sirtex Medical seems to be getting messier. Court action is already underway between UWA and Bruce Gray over intellectual property rights. In August, Dr Gray stood down as Chairman of Sirtex, reportedly under pressure from fellow directors. Subsequent to this, letters have been traded between directors and shareholders in a bid to shift the balance of power. According to the Australian Financial Review, Dr Gray has also instituted defamation proceedings against some of his former fellow directors. All this at a time when Sirtex has actually posted a maiden profit. Looks like the lawyers are going to have a field day.