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Rio Tinto’s Perth Children’s Diabetes Centre helping Australia lead globe for research

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Kellie BalaamThe West Australian
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The centre, based at PCH, launched on Monday .
Camera IconThe centre, based at PCH, launched on Monday . Credit: Unknown/Supplied

Australia will lead the globe for research into type 1 diabetes in children following the launch of the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre based right here in Perth.

Children with T1D will now have access to world-first studies, trials and the latest research results from around the world thanks to an $8m multi-year partnership with Rio Tinto, Juveniles Diabetes Research Foundation Australia, Telethon, Telethon Kids Institute and Perth Children’s Hospital.

The centre, based at PCH, launched on Monday as part of National Diabetes Week and is the first JDRF Global Centre of Excellence outside of North America.

This centre aims to close the gap in translating research into state-of-the-art clinical care as well as closing the over 10-year gap in life expectancy for children with T1D.

Professor Davis

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It is also the only centre with a clinical and paediatric focus.

This world-first will bring research, education, clinical care and community together to improve the lives of children living with T1D.

Leading paediatric endocrinologists and diabetes researchers Liz Davis and Time Jones both have a vision to improve the life expectancy for kids with the disease and reduce its burden.

“Traditionally, there has been a 15 to 20-year lag for new research to be put into clinical practice,” Professor Davis said.

“This centre aims to close the gap in translating research into state-of-the-art clinical care as well as closing the over 10-year gap in life expectancy for children with T1D.”

Teleton Kids Institute and Perth Children's Hospital leading paediatric endocrinologists and diabetes researchers Tim Jones and Liz Davis at the new centre.
Camera IconTeleton Kids Institute and Perth Children's Hospital leading paediatric endocrinologists and diabetes researchers Tim Jones and Liz Davis at the new centre. Credit: Supplied

Professor Jones said the centre will bring together critical elements to better understand and change how T1D is treated by developing care tailored to individuals.

“We will work with world-class researchers, clinicians and a diabetes community passionate for innovation to deliver the right treatment to the right person at the right time,” he said.

JDRF chief executive Mike Wilson said it was an essential step for families impacted by T1D.

“The Centre of Excellence will ensure young people in Australia with type 1 diabetes have faster, more equitable access to new technologies and breakthroughs,” he said.

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