BIRCH executive director Prof Mark Yates has vowed to work with everyone possible to secure funding for the future of the research hub.
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Speaking from London, Prof Yates said the federal government needed to "step up and deliver a secure future for health research in regional Victoria".
His call came after revelations earlier this month that the Ballarat Innovation and Research Collaboration for Health faced an uphill battle to get federal funding to grow in to a major research hub after federal health minister Greg Hunt said there were "no identified funding pathways" for BIRCH.
BIRCH is a collaboration between Ballarat's two hospitals and six universities with a goal to develop Ballarat into a renowned and innovative health care research hub.
"Our initial funding is for one year and our start-up team is getting stuck into growing BIRCH's presence and strengthening the ties between our collaborators and with the community," Prof Yates said.
"We're getting research projects off the ground, expanding our local presence, and inviting the professional and local communities to approach us with what they see as their priorities and their ideas to improve health care for Ballaratians."
The breadth of support for BIRCH in Ballarat is significant and I will continue my discussion with our parliamentary representatives irrespective of political party because government support for BIRCH is important.
- Dr Mark Yates
Prof Yates said BIRCH had secured some funding for 2020 but needed more.
"BIRCH has the backing of both state and federal members, council, the Committee for Ballarat and other local health organisations such as the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and Primary Care Partnership and we are working hard to secure further funding.
"The breadth of support for BIRCH in Ballarat is significant and I will continue my discussion with our parliamentary representatives irrespective of political party because government support for BIRCH is important."
Ballarat MP Catherine King wrote to federal health minister Greg Hunt last month calling on the government to invest in BIRCH after Labor promised to invest $10 million in to the project.
Ms King said she received a reply from Mr Hunt identifying no funding pathways for BIRCH.
"This is a very disappointing outcome for our community", Ms King said. "BIRCH would build on Ballarat's already strong reputation when it comes to health and health training.
"This project would turn Ballarat into a centre of learning, attracting researchers and research funding to our community, while also allowing Ballarat's medical students to carry out their research close to home."
RELATED STORY: BIRCH faces an uphill battle to secure federal funding
Prof Yates said BIRCH would enhance the city's ability to create research pathways for nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, dentists and other health workers training in Ballarat, attract both research income and new experienced researchers, and to solve local health care problems.
"Researchers will be able to develop, implement and facilitate research which serves our community's healthcare needs, provides investment opportunities and creates employment for researchers, research support workers and associated health care staff.
"BIRCH is here to support a healthier Ballarat. But to achieve those ambitious, long term goals, we need the financial support of industry, community and government. We have the full support from our industry partners (the hospitals and universities of Ballarat). Now we need the government to step up and deliver a secure future for health research in regional Victoria."
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