Clinical Trials Pharmacy

Northern Health has dedicated Good clinical practice (GCP) trained, experienced Clinical Trial Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians involved in management, oversight, dispensing and counselling of clinical trials medications. They are involved in the clinical trial process from feasibility through to close-out and have a department level SOP available to view on prompt: Pharmacy SOP – Clinical Trials.

Pharmacy clinical trials facilities include:

  • Restricted access temperature-monitored storage (Ambient and refrigerator)
  • Calibrated scale, computerised dispensing
  • Non-sterile compounding area
  • Sterile preparation suite.

Our services: Our major clinical trial services include:

  • Drug accountability
  • Dispensing
  • Aseptic preparation
  • Storage of investigational medications
  • Design and manufacturing of blinded medications
  • Sourcing investigational medications
  • Pharmacist education and training
  • Patient education

For further information about Pharmacy, click here. If you are a NH Employee, you can also access the Pharmacy intranet page. To contact the Clinical Trials Pharmacy phone: 8405 8567 or email: NHPhamacyClinicalTrials@nh.org.au

Decision Support Unit

Northern Health’s Decision Support Unit (DSU) is part of the Digital Health Department and has a wide scope of service within the organisation. The DSU is responsible for the provision of financial, workforce, activity and quality data to the organisation. The unit contains expertise in both data analytics and technical developments and is able to help Northern Health researchers with data exports from EMR.

If you are an NH Employee, you can access the intranet page here.

If you wish to engage with the Decision Support Unit, ensure you have appropriate Research Governance in place prior to submitting a request, email: nh-decision-support@nh.org.au

Health Information Services (HIS)

Health Information Services oversee the collection, processing, storage, retrieval, and distribution of patient information in both physical and electronic formats. Their role is vital in supporting optimal direct and indirect patient care, as well as enabling research, quality improvement initiatives, hospital administration, and informed decision-making by the Department of Health and Human Services.

If you are an NH Employee, please access the HIS intranet page.

Refer to Health Information Services document on Prompt – Records Management – Clinical for more information on:

  • Research Documentation Storage.
  • Temporary Access to be granted to CPF for Clinical Research Associates and other representatives of external Pharmaceutical Companies.
  • Record retrieval for paper-based healthcare records (this refers to all healthcare records prior to September 2008, i.e. prior to the implementation of CPF).
  • The necessary approvals and timelines required prior to record retrievals, including retrieval fees.

If you cannot find what you need or you have a general research related enquiry for HIS, please email: David.Mangano@nh.org.au

Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV)

Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV) is the comprehensive medical imaging service of Northern Health. NIV operates from the Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, and Bundoora Centre campuses of Northern Health.

NIV has expertise in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine.

To find general information about NIV, click here.

If you require NIV services for your clinical trial or research project, please refer to the Research – Studies Requiring Input from Medical Imaging Standard Operating Procedure.

For enquiries and further support to access NIV’s services for research, or to request the current fee schedule, please contact NIVResearch@nh.org.au

Northern Health Library

The role of the Northern Health Library is to support the growth and development of library and information literacy services both within Northern Health, to all staff and students, and to the communities within NH’s catchment areas.  This involves identifying and implementing initiatives to promote health literacy for all NH staff, students and community members, and promoting the library as a key health information literacy provider. This also involves providing staff with services and resources to practice evidence based healthcare.

To access the library via the Northern Health intranet please click here.

The Northern Health e-Library can be accessed via the link or click here to join.

NH repository

Please visit this link to access the publications page and locate the NH repository.
The repository is still being developed, if you don’t see your publication listed, please contact the library. Phone: (03) 8405 8728. Email: nhlibinfo@nh.org.au

Staffed Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm. NH staff are able to access the library at any time using their staff swipe card.
Location: The Library is situated on the ground floor of The Northern Hospital Epping, past the lecture theatre.

Northern Pathology Victoria (NPV) Research Services

As part of Northern Health’s strategic priority of ‘Engaged learners, inspired researchers’, Northern Pathology Victoria provides a range of services for clinical trials and research projects

Located at Northern Hospital, Epping, the NPV laboratory is NATA accredited and complies with applicable ISO standards and NPAAC regulations.

The NPV Research Services team includes a qualified research coordinator, medical scientists, and pathologists, with experience conducting both commercial clinical trials (pharmaceutical and device) and investigator-initiated research. Available services include:

  • Specimen Collection Services – with collection rooms located at Northern Hospital (Epping), Craigieburn, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora, Mill Park
  • Sample management and logistics
  • Project management
  • Coordination of sample transport within Australia or internationally (trials staff are IATA certified)
  • A wide range of pathology testing across all disciplines (NPV Pathology Handbook)
  • Management of sample processing (from simple centrifugation and aliquoting, to more complex processing such as PBMC preparation or DNA/RNA extraction)
  • Sample storage – temperature monitored -80⁰C freezer, -20⁰C freezer, 2-8⁰C refrigerator
  • Services can be tailored to meet your project requirements

If you require NPV services for your clinical trial or research project, please complete the NPV Research Services Application form.

For further information about pathology, click the link to their website.

If you are a NH Employee, you can access NPV Research Services for further information.

To contact NPV Research Services phone: (03) 9485 9098, alternatively 0438 654 967 or email: NH-NPVResearch@nh.org.au

Transcultural and Language Service (TALS)

The Transcultural and Language Services (TALS) Department assists Northern Health to provide the best care for our multicultural communities. TALS’ role is to provide high quality language services including interpreting (speaking) services of the highest standard, translation (written) of medical material, targeted cultural training for staff members as well as research and community engagement.

TALS is a sector leader, recognised and consulted Australia-wide for its expertise in language services and cultural responsiveness.

If you are a Northern Health Employee, you can access the TALS intranet page here

Alternatively, you can visit the TALS website, or you may wish to contact TALS directly by phone: 8405 8188. All TALS email enquiries should be directed to: TALSEnquiries@nh.org.au

If you are a Northern Health Employee, you can access the intranet page here

Northern Health does not condone the use of family members or unqualified staff to act as interpreters unless in an emergency. Children under the age of 18 are not to be used as an interpreter. If you require an interpreter for your research appointment please use the Interpret Management System to request the Interpreting Service: https://talsbookings.nh.org.au/. Northern Health also has access to the communication app called Talk to Me, available anytime.

TALS Research Guidelines

TALS actively supports research initiatives that promote health equity and inclusion, ensuring that cultural perspectives are embedded in healthcare research methodologies. When conducting research activities, the diversity of Northern Health’s patient groups should be considered and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background, particularly those with limited English fluency, should be included with the aim to work towards representational inclusion of these groups.

TALS will be consulted in the process to determine culturally appropriate strategies and provision of language services.

See also, intranet links for NH employees: