Southern Cross University Secures $1.3M NHMRC Grant for Pioneering Delirium Research

By Robert Heyward

Southern Cross University’s cutting-edge delirium research has received signifcant recognition from the federal government, with a $1.3 million grant awarded through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) latest Partnership Projects round.

Delirium, a common, distressing, and costly hospital complication, particularly affects older Australian adults and their family carers, leading to confusion and severe negative outcomes. The three-year research project, titled A Novel Approach to Partnering with Family Carers in the Prevention of Delirium, aims to reduce the incidence of delirium, lower associated hospital costs, and drive systemic changes in how delirium is managed in healthcare settings.

The project, led by Associate Professor Christina Aggar from the Faculty of Health, builds on the success of a pilot program at The Tweed Hospital on the NSW North Coast.

The pilot introduced the PREDICT (Prevention & Early Delirium Identifcation Carer

Toolkit), an evidencebased, multifaceted delirium intervention tailored specifcally for the Australian healthcare environment.

“Delirium is the most common hospitalacquired complication in older adults, with an estimated annual cost to healthcare services and society of $8.8 billion,” said Associate Professor Aggar. “With Australia’s ageing population, the impact of delirium is expected to increase, leading to higher rates of hospitalacquired injuries, delayed discharges, re-admissions, dementia, admissions to residential aged care, deaths, and increased caring responsibilities for families.”

The project will see Southern Cross University collaborate with other Australian universities, healthcare services in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, as well as peak carer and consumer organizations. Importantly, the research will engage directly with those who have lived experience of delirium— both patients and their families.

“I am thrilled by the $1.3 million NHMRC grant awarded to

Associate Professor Christina Aggar,” said Senior Deputy ViceChancellor Professor Mary Spongberg. “This vital research, focused on the nurse-family carer partnership supported by the PREDICT toolkit, promises to signifcantly reduce the incidence of delirium and related hospital costs. The project has the potential to drive systemic change in delirium management, enhancing patient outcomes and alleviating pressures on our healthcare system. We take great pride in this initiative and look forward to its farreaching impact.”

Despite delirium being preventable, its assessment and recognition in clinical practice remain poor, according to Associate Professor Aggar. The research project will test the performance of PREDICT under real-world conditions, with a particular focus on its impact on carers, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and LGBTQ+ communities.

Southern Cross University and its partner organizations will implement the project with patients at risk of delirium and their families at several healthcare sites, including:

• Northern NSW Local Health District (NSW)

• Hunter New England Local Health District (NSW)

• Far West Local Health District (NSW)

• Canberra Health Services (ACT)

• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (QLD)

• Caboolture Hospital (QLD)

The NHMRC’s Partnership Project scheme supports the translation of research into health policy and service delivery through the effective integration of research fndings.

In announcing the NHMRC grants, Ged Kearney, the federal Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, stated: “As a former nurse, I know just how important research can be for medical breakthroughs to support patients and families.”

NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh added: “Projects that take an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach help us address the many intricacies associated with some of Australia’s greatest health challenges.”