Research to help veterans

IN AN Australian first, post-traumatic stress research and clinical care will be located together at the new $15m Jamie Larcombe Centre.

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Post-Traumatic Stress provides an opportunity for researchers working on interventional therapies to work closely with patients and staff and collaboratively undertake research that will benefit the health and wellbeing of veterans.

The new research centre is supported by The Road Home, responsible for raising awareness and funds to support health and wellbeing research and programs into conditions such as PTS for the nation’s veterans, emergency service personnel and their families.

The centre was named in honour of Sapper Jamie Ronald Larcombe, who was born in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, and was killed in action in 2011 during a deployment to Afghanistan.

The centre includes an ambulatory service incorporating outpatient treatment areas, 24 single rooms with private ensuites, consulting rooms and a gymnasium.

“The centre will allow clinical treatment and research activity to integrate, ensuring we continue to improve care, innovate and develop a best practice model for veteran’s mental health,” Health Minister Peter Malinauskas said.