Strategy and Performance

In 2023, we initiated the implementation of our Strategic Plan (2023-2026), building upon the principles established in 2016 which were last reported on in 2021. The focus is on refining operational approaches to better position SPHERE for the future and uphold our commitment to improving health outcomes in the communities we serve. The strategic evolution centres around four pillars: Collaborate, Amplify, Transform, and Create Impact. Below is a summary of our key performance achievements while the case studies in this report offer insights into our initiatives and achievements across these pillars.

Collaboration

• $1M seed funding “Building Big Ideas”.

• 177 co-investigators aggregating around five health service priorities across 10 clinical themes and six platforms. 28% from sites beyond our traditional membership.

• Clinical Theme & Platform restructure including Healthy Populations & Environments, an Innovation & Industry Platform and expansion of the Clinical Trials Platform to include Data (Clinical Trials and Data Platform).

• Monthly newsletter reaching 298 members includes news, events and opportunities.

• Collaborations with NSWH. CINSW support for Cancer Theme and OHMR engagement with the CTHD Platform.

• National collaborations with AHRA via Women’s Health research network ($690k) and Consumer and Community Involvement in Research ($40k) and advocacy for up to $15M NHMRC Health Services grants (open competitive).

Amplification

• $3.5M leveraged partnership support including $3M partnership research grants and $500K rapid applied research grant funding returned to members

• 40% of CIs Building Big Ideas were EMCR.

• Sponsorship of Fellowships for Women in Health (4).

• Continued training in GCP: face-to-face and online.

Four major seminars and conferences supported (Cancer NSW and Palliative Care, HEmiSPHERE, Diabetes Tech and Talk).

Transformations underway

SPHERE has undergone significant transformation since the last report. Previously wholly Investigator-Initiated we have introduced balance between Health Service priorities and Investigator Initiated/ NHMRC priorities. In addition, we have achieved sustainable in kind and cash co-contribution funding models for future growth. Our Clinical Themes have led significant pieces of work focused on improving patient outcomes and quality improvement. A number of these are detailed in the report, including:

• Stanford Quality Improvement program (p.50)

• ACCELERATE + (p.22)

• Integrated Kids Connect Program (p.15) In addition to these we have expanded our case-based learning to include Menopause in the MenoECHO Program.

Impact measurements

• Three Quarterly Activity reports and one Annual Activity and Impact Report.

• One Parliamentary launch (Child UnLimited).

• Two Submissions to parliamentary enquiries.

• NHMRC reaccreditation.

• Two Commercialisation opportunities.

• Established an account on LinkedIn building the number of followers to 200 in less than six months.

• Increased our followers on Twitter to over 500 followers.

Three issues of In-SPHERE research magazine with an average of 850 individual reads and close to 4000 impressions per issue.