Investing in paediatric spinal health

Queensland X–ray has committed a healthy A$80 000 to fund Queensland´s leading paediatric spinal research team to further help children with severe scoliosis.

The joint research project, conducted by Mater Children´s Hospital and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Paediatric Spine Research Group, was commenced in 2002 to revolutionise spinal surgical treatment for child scoliosis patients, with an emphasis on accurately predicting the outcomes of spinal surgery.

The much–needed funds will support the collaborative work of the group, which successfully combines research from the QUT Paediatric Spine Research Group and orthopaedic clinical practice under the direction Dr Geoff Askin, Senior Spinal Surgeon at Mater Children´s Hospital.

Dr Clayton Adam, Senior Spine Research Fellow at the QUT Paediatric Spine Research Group has welcomed the contribution, which will fund a fellow in spinal research based at Mater.

“Queensland X–Ray´s support will allow us to undertake new research initiatives leading to improvements in spinal deformity correction systems for children with scoliosis,” he said.

Dr Philip Dubois, Chairman of Queensland X–Ray said his organisation was pleased to support this vital research project commenting that the venture deserves support and encouragement from the medical community.