A cutting-edge concept design has been revealed for the new Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building – Macarthur.
Located as part of the Campbelltown Hospital Precinct, this important facility will be home to the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research – Macarthur, which has been a highly productive research partnership between Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District and UNSW Sydney for more than a decade.
Due to open in 2023, the $47.5 million building will be a world-class medical education and research facility that will enable local researchers to address the region's unique health challenges and improve health outcomes for the people of south west Sydney.
A State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for the project has been lodged with the Department of Planning Infrastructure and Environment in October.
The facility will bring together world-leading researchers and clinicians across disciplines. It will promote greater scientific, clinical and industry collaboration that can deliver cutting-edge diagnostics and innovative healthcare programs, treatments, and therapies, and strengthen patient care.
The research will have a particular focus on health challenges such as mental illness, diabetes, healthcare of Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, paediatrics and addiction medicine.
Early intervention, prevention and community-based care will also be key, helping to tackle south west Sydney's higher rates of chronic illness and disease that often require more complex health care and increased demand for support services.
Western Sydney University's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the groundbreaking Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building is firmly focused on the health and wellbeing needs of the fast-growing region.
"Working together with our alliance partners, Western Sydney University is pleased to deliver on this ambitious, world-class medical education and research facility that will be a cornerstone of the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital and the broader Campbelltown Health and Education precinct," said Professor Glover.
"Critically, the building will enable world-leading excellence in clinical expertise, research and innovation that will be translated into cutting-edge treatments and healthcare for the people of the Macarthur region and beyond. It will be a place to grow the health and medical workforce of the future – having a real and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our local communities."
Walker Corporation Executive Chairman Lang Walker AO said he's proud the Walker Group is donating over $20 million for the Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building in a strategic partnership to advance medical research in the Macarthur region and beyond.
"Together we will deliver on our ambitious vision of a dynamic hub for medical education and research to transform Campbelltown Hospital into an internationally recognised research precinct to foster greater scientific, clinical and industry collaborations," Mr Walker said.
"This is such an exciting opportunity for Western Sydney because we are going to have a research building for highly skilled clinicians and researchers who can quickly take a health issue from the bed to the laboratory and back to the bed again, to find fast solutions.
"Working in partnership with our research partners and Western Sydney University we are going to totally transform the way we process information to help people and their families in south-west Sydney."
"The new medical research building will be a centerpiece for innovation and research in Sydney's south west, creating vital linkages between clinicians, researchers and our educational partners enabling contributions to and gaining benefits from global research initiatives. This in turn will improve local services to address the unique needs of the ever-growing, diverse community we serve," said Ms Amanda Larkin, Chief Executive, South Western Sydney Local Health District.
Mr Terry Goldacre, Chairman, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, added: "We're proud to be a partner on this important 'next chapter' as the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research expands our medical research across south west Sydney. Ingham Institute - Macarthur will be another centre of excellence, adding to Ingham Institute - Liverpool, and growing our research and commercialisation capabilities. We will continue to connect our clinicians and researchers with local and global industry to accelerate cutting edge health solutions supported by our world-class clinical trials capabilities."
Professor Les Bokey (AM), Director of Research, South Western Sydney Local Health District, and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research said: -
"This new medical research building gives the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research the opportunity to expand its research capabilities into mental health, addiction medicine, diabetes and obesity, child wellbeing and Indigenous health to meet the growing, and new, health needs of the community. This new centre will expand on the Institute's current research into cancer, neuroscience and stroke, cardiovascular disease, obstetrics and gynecology, and robotics and health technology. Our research platforms are aligned to the clinical services plan of the South Western Local Health District and are supported by our recently established Clinical Trials Centre, to deliver significant local, national and global health impact."
Professor Vlado Perkovic, Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health said: -
"In partnership, and building on our significant health, education and research presence in Greater Western Sydney, this new medical research building in Macarthur will help address some of the biggest health challenges facing the region."
Lead architect and BVN Principal Bill Dowzer said: -
"At BVN we're very clear that we design for people. Whether at home, in hospital or in the workplace we put the needs of those who will use it, at the centre of our thinking. It's been fascinating and rewarding to bring the best of all these kinds of spaces together. The result: a workplace designed to make people feel connected, comfortable, and inspired."
