Welcome to The University of Queensland / Blue Care Research & Practice Development Centre (UQ/BC RPDC) website.

The Research & Practice Development Centre (RPDC) is part of The University of Queensland's School of Nursing & Midwifery.

The University of Queensland and Blue Care have forged a formal academic link and developed The University of Queensland/Blue Care Research Practice Development Centre (RPDC). This is a significant collaborative initiative that strengthens academic/industry partnerships and provides mutual benefit to both organisations. The Director of the Centre is Professor Desley Hegney.

The Research & Practice Development Centre was opened in April 2006 by the Federal Minister for Ageing, Santo Santoro.

Objectives

The objectives of the RPDC are to:

• identify new models of service in response to changing community and client requirements with respect to aged care;
• develop evidence that will inform policy in relation to aged care, including aged care provision, cost effectiveness and outcome evaluation;
• develop and support implementation of innovative staff development and consumer education programs;
• investigate specific aged care clinical practice problems;
• evaluate the effectiveness of specific aged care strategies;
• and disseminate outcomes and results within Blue Care, other service providers, product manufacturers, policy makers and funding bodies.