WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 2026: Australia has no shortage of ideas to improve healthcare. The challenge is making sure proven approaches reach patients and become part of everyday care.
That was a key theme emerging from the HCF Research Foundation's inaugural Research to Reality Parliamentary Showcase, which brought together parliamentarians, researchers, clinicians, consumer representatives, healthcare leaders and policy advisers at Parliament House in Canberra as part of National Science Week.
For more than 25 years, the HCF Research Foundation has supported health services research that improves how healthcare is delivered, accessed and experienced. The showcase highlighted examples of research already improving care for Australians and explored what it takes to translate evidence into lasting improvements across the health system.
Adjunct Professor Karen Price, Chair of the HCF Research Foundation, said the event focused on a fundamental question facing healthcare.
"One of the most important questions in healthcare is what happens after the research is done.
"Research is important, but patients only benefit when evidence changes the care they receive."
A/Prof Price said health services research plays a vital role in improving care for patients while supporting a more sustainable health system.
"Health services research helps us understand how healthcare is accessed, delivered and experienced, and how we can make care safer, more effective, more equitable and more sustainable.
"The real measure of success isn't how many studies are published. It's whether the evidence improves the care people receive and the outcomes they experience."
The showcase featured four HCF Research Foundation-funded projects addressing challenges facing Australia's health system and demonstrating how research can improve care in practice:
- improving access to specialist heart failure care for people living in regional communities
- helping people with knee osteoarthritis reach appropriate care sooner and reducing unnecessary time on surgical waiting lists
- helping more older Australians receive safe care at home where appropriate
- expanding access to evidence-based mental health support through THIS WAY UP's digital care programs
Dr Chris Pettigrew, Head of the HCF Research Foundation, said the projects demonstrated how research can inform practical solutions to real-world challenges.
"The projects featured through the showcase demonstrate how health services research can deliver practical benefits for patients, clinicians and the health system.
"Importantly, they provide real-world examples of how better outcomes can be achieved through changes in the way care is designed, delivered and accessed."
Professor Price said improving healthcare outcomes requires collaboration across the health system.
"Researchers, clinicians, healthcare providers, governments, funders and consumers all have a role to play in translating evidence into better care.
"What we heard throughout the showcase is that many of the solutions already exist. The challenge now is helping more Australians benefit from what we already know works."
The HCF Research Foundation has invested more than $40 million across more than 170 projects, working with more than 150 universities, research institutes, hospitals, healthcare providers and other organisations around Australia to improve the way healthcare is delivered, accessed and experienced.
ENDS
About us:
ABOUT THE HCF RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The HCF Research Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for HCF members and all Australians by providing funding and support to encourage health services research for the benefit of all. Now in its 26th year, the HCF Research Foundation (the Foundation) is uniquely focused on supporting health services research, an area of research that does not receive significant fundings from other sources. The Foundation’s program aims to address issues of scale and significance in healthcare and to make a tangible impact in the delivery of health services for our members and all Australians. To learn more about the Foundation go to hcf.com.au/about-us/hcf-foundation
ABOUT HCF
HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund protecting Australians since 1932, covers more than 2 million members with health and life1 insurance, travel2, pet3 home4 and car5 insurance. HCF has been awarded Outstanding Value Health Insurance by Canstar ten years in a row from 2016–2025. On average over the last 10 years, HCF has paid out more cents in every dollar in premiums to members as benefits than the industry average*. To learn more about HCF go to hcf.com.au/about-us
* 88.7% compared to 84.4% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years, sourced from APRA Statistics: Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report data 2015–24 and Quarterly Private Health Insurance Statistics Jul 2024–Jun 2025.
1 Issued by HCF Life. Consider the PDS and TMD at hcf.com.au/lifeinfo
2 HCF Travel Insurance is issued by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631 trading as Allianz Global Assistance. Please consider the PDS at hcf.com.au/travel and TMD at allianzpartners.com.au/policies before deciding whether to buy the product.
3 HCF Pet Insurance is issued by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd, except for policies entered into before 21 March 2024 and subsequent renewals of those policies, which are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd. Consider the PDS and TMD at hcf.com.au/petinsurance before deciding if the product is right for you.
4 Issued by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708. Consider the PDS at hcf.com.au/insurance/home and TMD which is available by calling 1300 657 046 before deciding if the product is right for you.
5 Issued by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708. Consider the PDS at hcf.com.au/insurance/car and TMD which is available by calling 1300 657 046 before deciding if the product is right for you.
Contact details:
Joni Thomes 0475 576 738 or [email protected]
