St John of God Subiaco Hospital Intensivist named Early Career Scientist of the Year
17 Sep 2021
A/Prof Litton has been heavily involved in improving outcomes for COVID-19 patients through the REMAP CAP trial, a large international clinical trial that has identified effective treatments for severe COVID-19.
He is also leading a study to apprise Australian intensive care COVID-19 preparedness, and is evaluating and reporting on Australian intensive care COVID-19 outcomes.
His research findings have been incorporated into international guidelines, informing intensive care policy and practice, and are helping to improve outcomes for more than 10,000 Western Australians who require intensive care treatment each year.
Commenting on the award, A/Prof Litton said that he was extremely grateful to be recognised by the Premier's Science Awards.
"By the time we were in a position to commence testing interventions for H1N1 influenza in 2009, the outbreak had ended. Therefore, we knew that we needed to develop a framework prior to the next pandemic," he said.
"The REMAP CAP model was developed and underway prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This enabled us to commence testing treatment options for patients during the early days of the pandemic."
"My contribution to the pandemic response has also been about the resourcing of intensive care units and monitoring surge capacity of intensive care units across Australia. This work supports informed decision making and ensures that COVID-19 patients are transported to hospitals with appropriate levels of staff, expertise, beds and equipment."
St John of God Subiaco Hospital CEO Prof Shirley Bowen congratulated A/Prof Litton on his achievement.
"Our hospital community is incredibly privileged to work with A/Prof Litton. His dedication to research not only benefits our patients, but also improves peoples' lives around the world," she said.
The Premier's Science Awards is the Western Australian Government flagship program for science in the State.
Since the inaugural awards were held in 2001, more than 100 of Western Australia's best and brightest researchers, students and communicators have been recognised.