The Australian Stroke Alliance, with over 40 partner organisations, was established as a vehicle for a Medical Research Future Fund Frontiers grant of $40 million. Its aim is to enhance prehospital stroke management across the nation by developing and validating light weight brain imaging for use in road and air ambulances. This will be particularly useful in rural, remote and Indigenous Australia, but equally applicable in metropolitan areas. The five-year program comprises of three research streams and three supporting platforms.
The imaging research stream is in collaboration with two Australian companies. EMVision is a Brisbane based company well advanced in developing a lightweight brain imaging device likely less than 50 kg and using electromagnetic waves. An Adelaide company, MicroX , uses a cone beam CT technology with lightweight emitters with a target weight under 100kg. Other research streams involve the development of ‘stroke-smart’ road and air ambulances and trained paramedics. Key partners here include the Royal Flying Doctor Service and RMIT University.
The device development is underpinned by three supporting platforms: education, health economics and decision analysis evaluation, and dedicated stroke telehealth – powered by satellite connectivity. A framework for Indigenous research, Darak, is incorporated at every level, led by Indigenous health professionals and advised by an Indigenous council.
Plans are being developed for subsequent implementation in collaboration with clinical champions and government agencies from each state and territory, together with Federal Government guidance. If successful, this Golden Hour program will provide a completely new model of prehospital stroke care across Australia as well as providing a template for uptake by other nations.