11/04/2025
Three years on from the start of the cardiopulmonary research initiative at Campbelltown Hospital, Western Sydney University is changing the face of cardiopulmonary health in Western Sydney. The initiative is a collaboration between Associate Professor Simon Green, from the School of Health Sciences, Dr Upul Premawardhana, Director of Cardiology at Campbelltown Hospital, and Associate Professor Belinda Cochrane, a respiratory specialist at Campbelltown Hospital.
With a focus on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) as a more comprehensive and accurate diagnostic tool for cardiopulmonary conditions, including hypertension, AProf Green has been developing partnerships with local exercise providers to bridge the gap in space and resources for those waiting for rehabilitation and pre-surgery training. This includes Southwest Health Management, founded by Western alumnus James Colley.
Creating scholarships and attracting postgraduate students will also play a major part in building a culture of, and capacity for, research in an environment focused on meeting a clinical need. With support from the university and South-West Sydney Local Health District, AProf Green and his colleagues have recently established a PhD scholarship which has allowed a PhD student from Liverpool, England to join the initiative. His research will focus on a novel, advanced technique of electrocardiography and its use within exercise testing and diagnosis. The scholarship represents a major vote of confidence from researchers at Campbelltown Hospital and is an indication that the work of the initiative is generating significant interest both locally and internationally. AProf Green says, “The scholarship was created by four cardiologists (all at Campbelltown Hospital) accessing their trust funds to provide half of the scholarship. So the cardiologists have backed it where it counts. This changes the feeling towards research from people who are used to doing only clinical work.”
The next twelve months will see even more progress as Western works to make an impact on the Campbelltown community through improving cardiopulmonary health locally and beyond.
