Research to Improve Health in Regional Communities

A $1.7 million donation from The Phare Trust will fund a new PhD scholarship supporting impactful research in health service delivery, health policy, workforce planning, and population health challenges in regional and disadvantaged communities.

^{📷 A generous gift from The Phare Trust is driving research to improve health outcomes in regional and disadvantaged communities.}

Across Australia, people living in regional and disadvantaged communities face compounding barriers to good health. Poorer access to services, workforce shortages, higher out-of-pocket costs and longer wait times all point to the urgent need for better place-based solutions.

Professor Lisa Wood, Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, said the scholarship is an extraordinary opportunity to undertake research grounded in local need, and designed to make a practical difference in regional communities.

“The Phare Trust’s visionary gift is an investment in the long-term health of our region. By supporting practical, place-based research, this scholarship will help generate the evidence needed to strengthen health services, workforce planning and policy in communities that too often experience poorer access and outcomes,” says Professor Wood.

Over more than 20 years, The Phare Trust has provided a multidisciplinary model of primary healthcare services in the Hunter Region, addressing workforce shortages, improving access, while supporting clinical education and research. With this gift, the Trust is investing in the next phase of impact – supporting research to strengthen the long-term sustainability of primary healthcare in regional communities for years to come.

After more than 20 years supporting healthcare in the Hunter Region, this gift reflects both the legacy of The Phare Trust and our confidence in the University of Newcastle’s ability to partner with community. We want to see the work we began, continue, by supporting research that listens to local needs, strengthens primary healthcare, and turns knowledge into real-world impact for disadvantaged communities across the Hunter.”

Gavin Rose
Director, The Phare Trust

Rural and Remote Summary

• 27% of Australians live in rural and remote areas.
• Rural and remote communities face poorer health outcomes and poorer access to care than people in metro areas.

In the most disadvantaged rural and remote areas:

• 27% of people delayed dental care.
• 11% of people delayed or missed medication due to cost.*

^{*AIHW’s 2025 rural and remote summary}

If you would like to support an area of research that is important to you and help improve lives, please contact our team on 02 4921 8612 or email donor-relations@newcastle.edu.au.

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Contact

• Office of Philanthropy
• Phone: 02 4921 8612
• Email: donor-relations@newcastle.edu.au