MEDIA ALERT 16 July 2013

Research to reduce radiation risk for injured children

Queensland researchers are investigating how to reduce radiation exposure for children with a head injury, to set a new benchmark for Australian hospitals. The research, led by the Director of Paediatric Emergency Medicine for Childrens Health Queensland Dr Jason Acworth, aims to identify the best way to accurately diagnose significant brain injuries in children presenting with acute head injuries and limit the need for Computer Tomography (CT) scans. CT scans identify evidence of injury but it is important to minimise a childs exposure to radiation, Dr Acworth said. Funded by the Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation (QEMRF), Dr Acworth is leading a team of Australian and New Zealand researchers collating data from 10,000 patients across 13 paediatric hospitals. Media is invited to find out more about the project at a QEMRF grant awards ceremony attended by the Health Minister Lawrence Springborg. INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WHEN: WHERE: WHO: 10am, Tuesday 16 July. Quartz Room, Victoria Park Golf Club Herston Road, Herston. Lawrence Springborg - Queensland Health Minister. Six-year-old Miah Sleight, a paediatric head injury patient, and her mother Nicola. Dr Jason Acworth Director of Paediatric Emergency Medicine for Childrens Health Queensland. Dr David Rosengren - QEMRF Chairman. VISION: 9.30-10am: The Minister attending and speaking at award ceremony with various QEMRF researchers. 10.30am: Media interviews. PARKING: CONTACT: On site. Charnie Braz, Sequel Communications - 07 3251 8139 or 0434 313 066.

For more information visit www.qemrf.org.au and follow @qemrf on Twitter.