UQ unveils plans for $60m world-class clinical research centre

The University of Queensland has unveiled an ambitious and innovative plan to put Queensland at the forefront of clinical medical research.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, today announced plans for the $60 million UQ Centre for Clinical Research (CCR) to be located at the Royal Brisbane and Women`s Hospital (RBWH).

The Queensland Government will contribute $20 million from the Smart State Research Facilities Fund, $20 million comes from an American philanthropic organisation and a further $20 million from UQ.

“With health spending expected to rise from nine to 17 percent of gross domestic product over the next 40 years, investment in health and medical research and development is needed to reduce the cost and impact of chronic and age-related illness,” Professor Hay said.

Clinical research is patient-orientated research conducted in response to questions that arise “at the bedside” and aims to provide better treatment and results for patients.

This research can involve tests in hospital that would provide direct benefits for individual patients as well as add to the body of knowledge about that particular disease or problem.

Professor Hay thanked Queensland Premier Peter Beattie for his Government`s support for the project in line with the Smart State strategy.

“Mr Beattie has solidly backed UQ`s vision of developing a closely integrated group of new research institutes and centres,” Professor Hay said.

He said as part of its research strategy, the University had invested significant sums in key projects and had been able to attract matching financial support from the Queensland Government and the Atlantic Philanthropies.

This approach has been extremely fruitful, particularly in projects related to bioscience, nanotechnology and neuroscience.

Professor Hay said the Centre would seek to address the lack of appropriate facilities for clinical research in Queensland.

“The National Health and Medical Research Council reported two years ago that when it called for submissions on clinical research none gave a positive view,” Professor Hay said.

“All the submissions confirmed that strong remedial action was required to maintain and enhance the capacity of Australian clinical research.

“The UQ Centre for Clinical Research will hope to do bringing together by bringing together leading medical researchers in state-of-the-art facilities, thereby providing a focus for world-class clinical research.”

The CCR will concentrate on areas of speciality already established within UQ`s Faculty of Health Sciences and RBWH such as cancer; genetic diseases; infectious diseases; population health risks; critical care; clinical neurosciences and psychiatry; and other areas of chronic disease management including renal, orthopaedic and vascular disorders.

The $60 million facility will involve the construction of a new six to eight level building, which is expected to start next year.

Media: Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (07 3365 2802 or 0433 364 181).