Join us in research
We improve health outcomes for regional and rural communities through research and clinical trials.
Our team works with sponsors, organisations, universities and clinicians to bring new treatments and evidence-based care to Central Queensland.
We offer strong regional reach, access to diverse populations, and reliable participant recruitment.
We support studies with experienced teams, purpose-built facilities, and a strong network of partners.
Recruiting participants
Regional reach
We serve a population of about 249,000 people across Central Queensland.
Our network includes 21 hospitals and multipurpose health facilities. Rockhampton Hospital is our largest facility, with about 300 beds.
Our service area covers about 110,000 square kilometres, around 23% of Queensland.
Diverse participants
We provide access to people often underrepresented in clinical trials, including rural and remote communities and people with limited access to tertiary services.
Community engagement
We work closely with communities to support safe and inclusive research.
Our approach includes:
- partnerships with local health services and community organisations
- culturally appropriate research practices
- consumer input into research design and feedback.
Primary care network
We have access to more than 50 general practices and over 200 GPs.
This supports strong referral pathways and helps identify and recruit participants.
We have established relationships that support community-based research.
Clinical trials
Our team is experienced, efficient, and ready to deliver clinical trials.
Our team includes:
- experienced principal investigators
- research nurses
- study coordinators
- epidemiologists
- research administrators
- finance officers.
We support:
- feasibility and site assessment
- ethics and governance coordination
- participant recruitment and retention
- study delivery and monitoring
- regulatory compliance and reporting.
We support teletrials that help you recruit participants beyond metropolitan areas. Our team can operate as a satellite site. We give you access to participants in our region, run the trial locally, and make sure we follow the study protocol and maintain oversight.
Research areas
We support a wide range of study types and clinical areas, including:
- infectious diseases and vaccines
- cardiology
- intensive care
- oncology and haematology
- gastroenterology
- allied health
- rural and remote health research.
Our facilities
We have purpose built clinical trial facilities that follow Good Clinical Practice standards.
Our facilities support safe, compliant and efficient research across clinical and public health studies.
They help protect participants, support study requirements, and ensure high quality data and sample management.
Clinical and procedure areas
We have spaces designed for participant care and study delivery, including:
- a 2-bed procedure room with monitoring equipment, ECG, IV infusion, an emergency trolley and an automated external defibrillator
- a consultation room for consent, assessments and private study visits
- a phlebotomy room and specimen processing area for controlled sample handling.
These spaces support routine visits and higher acuity procedures.
Laboratory and sample management
Our facilities support safe and compliant sample handling.
This includes:
- a Good Clinical Practice compliant laboratory for sample processing and short term storage
- a drug preparation room with a biosafety cabinet and temperature-controlled storage
- 2 centrifuges for timely processing of blood and biological samples
- minus 80 degree freezers for secure long term storage.
Our team manages sample processing, storage, and shipment.
We follow clear processes aligned with regulatory requirements to maintain chain of custody and meet study requirements.
Pharmacy and cold chain management
We store investigational products in temperature-controlled environments with continuous monitoring.
This includes 3 commercial grade, data logged vaccine refrigerators for vaccine trials and other temperature sensitive treatments.
We keep temperatures within strict ranges and keep audit ready records.
Data security and monitoring
We store documents securely to protect confidentiality and meet regulatory requirements.
We provide a dedicated workspace for sponsor and contract research organisation monitoring visits, audits, and remote access.
This helps sponsors and monitors review data, check source documents, and prepare for inspections.
Our network and partnerships
We work with a strong network to support recruitment, diagnostics, and study delivery.
Laboratory and diagnostic services
We partner with public and private pathology providers, including Pathology Queensland, QML Pathology, and Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology.
This gives access to accredited laboratories for routine and specialised testing.
We support efficient specimen transport and coordinated reporting to meet study timelines.
We also work with private radiology providers for timely diagnostic imaging.
Pharmacy support
We work with Rockhampton Hospital Pharmacy to store, dispense, and manage investigational products in line with regulatory requirements.
We support cold chain management and controlled drug handling where required.
Academic partnerships
We partner with universities and research organisations, including CQUniversity and The University of Queensland.
We support collaborative research, student engagement, data analysis, and knowledge translation.
We support investigator led studies and translational research initiatives.
Contact us
Get in touch with our team to talk about partnering with us to deliver research and clinical trials in Central Queensland.
Email CQPHU-research@health.qld.gov.au
Phone 07 4920 6989