[U/C] Flinders Medical Centre Development Thread

[Cam]

I recently spent 4 hours waiting in Flinders Emergency on a Thursday evening . Understaffed and with a cross section of society waiting with me I just wanted to get in and out. If our Pollies were exposed to this 'secondary trauma' our Emergency centres would be Palaces with a 5 minute wait.

[Will]

Unlike most projects which are under the control of whether or not they can secure financing, this exciting project is entirely in your control. The sooner the funds have been raised the faster work can commence of this striking building which is set to house some of the best brains in the country in a 'research cluster' in which all branches of a research team are in the same place. This is regarded as the future of scientific research as it is recognized that better outcomes are achieved when you have the entire team at the same site.

The Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer Research has already received a $10 million pledge from the federal government.

This striking building is designed by Woodhead International.

This is what they have to say on their updated website:

The FMC cancer research team already has national/international recognition for its work in solid tumours (breast , prostate, lung and colorectal cancers) - which account for 95% of all new cancers in western society

A key feature of the centre will be its capacity to integrate research across a number of basic disciplines and clinical sciences, thereby facilitating the rapid application of research findings to clinical practice.

The architectural concept focuses on several key areas related to the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer research. It provides both an image of a strong institutional identity, an integrated research facility that is at the cutting edge of research into the treatment of cancer and a place of healing, well-being and hope.

Externally, the building is read as modern, simple, and efficient.  The simple rectilinear form is offset by a long, gentle, concave curve across the north facade, with a strong horizontal expression, giving the impression of hovering above the ground.  The simplicity and strength of this expression stands out in the context of the apparent randomness of the built environment surrounding it.
It is recognised that a strong architectural concept such as this will make 'visible' the intentions of the centre, and play a vital role in motivating the business and general community to assist in the ongoing fund-raising for this vital project.

A key part of the design concept focuses around the atrium, the space that has a concentration of movement, activity and life.  The concentration of circulation and movement through the atrium space will encourage informal interaction and exchange between different users.  This responds directly to the institute's desire to integrate research across basic disciplines and clinical sciences, which will facilitate the rapid application of research findings to clinical practice.
The atrium is seen as a space that is 'sculptural' - a soft, open, curvilinear space that is 'carved' out of the general mass of the building. This is in contrast to the regularity of the external facades. It is made up of an informal relationship of simple, overlapping curved elements - 'cells'- the surfaces of which will be made from warm, natural timber veneers.

The sense of space in the atrium is created by this informality, and by the way that light plays on these curved surfaces.  A large vertical 'green wall' shades the glass to the east of the atrium, and a vine covered pergola structure to the west - the foliage becomes part of the atrium space, and provides dappled light and shadows. This interaction between form, light and material creates a warm, inviting space - one that promotes a sense of healing, well being and hope.

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[Will]

Pictures!

Courtesy of Woodhead Architects:

[Will]

From the Flinders Medical Centre website:

Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) investigators are world renowned for their work in leukaemia, cancer of the bowel, lung, prostate, breast, cervix and oesophagus. FMC is one of Australia’s leading clinical trial centres and provides national leadership in cancer care, prevention, pain management, support and palliative care.

We need your help to build a Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer so that the very best of the best can work together to find solutions for cancer.

Imagine a centre:

that focuses on cancer prevention in order to provide new techniques and lifestyle solutions to halt cancer before it begins
where over 100 research and clinical investigators work collaboratively to achieve more effective results in cancer control
where innovative techniques, comprehensive lifestyle approaches and holistic support programs provide a truly compassionate and comprehensive approach to patient care
where innovation inspires the next generation of medical professionals

Why build a new centre?
To create a team approach to cancer. By working together in the one building our researchers and clinicians can achieve so much more for patients and for future generations.

What is different about this centre?
With its focus on cancer prevention, this centre will be unique in its dedication to a world without cancer. In addition, the collaborative approach to cancer solutions means that researchers, clinicians, patients and the community will work together, and not in isolation, for faster more effective results.

Will the centre work together with other institutions?
In South Australia, all work at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer will be part of a statewide approach to cancer research, care and education. Local, national and international affiliations will ensure any results will impact globally.

When will the centre be built?
We are dedicated to a three year fundraising campaign, however building will commence sooner if funds are available.

The Foundation has successfully sought support from the Federal Government for the development of the centre. Announcing in May 2007 their intent to pledge $10 million from the 2007/2008 federal budget to the proposed centre, the Australian Government has recognised FMC as the national leader in preventative cancer research.

[Will]

If you want to donate and help this project become a reality whilst at the same time helping the battle against cancer, this is how:

contact the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation on ph: (08) 8204 5216

OR

http://www.flinders.sa.gov.au/fmcfounda ... CD_PDBz_z/

[Will]

Woodhead Architects have updated their website.

It includes some information and an image of this proposal.

The project in itself is reaching the final stages of construction. The tower crane was removed a few days ago.

From Woodhead Architects:

The Flinders Medical Centre redevelopment in Adelaide is the largest single redevelopment the South Australian Department of Health has undertaken.  Design development work is currently underway for the $153m project.  Staged construction has commenced and is planned for completion at the end of 2011 with all services maintaining full operational levels throughout the redevelopment.

The first stage will include a site-wide services infrastructure upgrade and the construction of a new four storey wing in a park-like setting to the south of the existing Flinders Medical Centre.  The second stage will include the redevelopment and upgrade of aging ‘hot floor' departments including operating theatres, recovery, emergency and intensive care.  The Acute Assessment Unit and Cardiac Care Unit will also be relocated and housed in purpose-built expanded accommodation. 

The Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) is the major tertiary referral centre for acute care and emergency services in the southern region of Adelaide. The staged construction will ensure that all facilities remain open whilst the redevelopment takes place.
A new four storey wing will be designed and constructed with a focus on Environmentally Sustainable Development principles in alignment with the Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star Healthcare Tool.  The new building will accommodate the Women's Assessment and Birthing Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology wards, outpatient clinics and administrative areas.

[Wayno]

yes indeed - a worthwhile cause...

[RiseHigh]

This site is going along nicely with heaps of guys on site, its a nice size extension and a good addition to the hospital and rumour has it that its meant to be finished in about 10 weeks but they will be pushing it.

[Will]

Apparently this building will be named the "Live Strong Cancer Treatment and Research Centre" after Lance Armstrong's charity. Construction appears to be inching closer too.

Here is an article from the Woodhead International website.

Pioneering a New Generation of Health Facilities Across the Country
Woodhead’s Adelaide office continues to meet the demand for new and redeveloped healthcare facilities throughout Australia.

Woodhead Principal, David Gilbert, leader of the national health team promotes solutions which are an intelligent balance of complex functional requirements, the creation of humanised environments and the achievement of environmental sustainability.

The health team is committed to a standard of excellence where functional efficiency is a given and in which the new frontiers are the true expression of a patient focus, the creation of a healing environment, and revolutionising the workplace environment for staff.

Following the recently completed strategic master plan for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Australia’s largest health campus, we are now undertaking the Master Planning of two of Queensland’s most rapidly expanding health districts, Ipswich and Logan as well as five new Mental Health Facilities.

In Adelaide, the Flinders project team is continuing the massive task of renewing the Engineering Infrastructure and redevelopment of strategic clinical departments at FMC. The new South Wing is almost complete and as well as being Australia’s first 5 star health facility, it will provide a new level of patient care with full south facing windows and leading edge displacement air-conditioning. Soon to commence are the redevelopment of the Emergency Department, I.C.U, AMU and Operating Theatres.

Also on the Flinders Medical Centre Campus, the Live Strong Cancer Treatment and Research Centre is about to commence.

&

Armstrong lends name to new South Australian Cancer Centre
Released January 2009
Lance Armstrong’s visit to South Australia will leave an indelible mark, not only for his professional comeback to cycling with the participation in the 2009 Tour Down Under, but also for lending his charity’s name, Livestrong to the newly proposed cancer research centre, designed by Woodhead.

Announced by the South Australian state Premier, Mike Rann on Saturday, 24th January, the newly named Livestrong cancer research centre forms part of the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. A key feature of the centre will be its capacity to integrate research across a number of basic disciplines and clinical sciences, thereby facilitating the rapid application of research findings to clinical practice.

Having established Livestrong, the brand name for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 after suffering testicular cancer in 1996, Lance Armstrong continues his plight to raise funds for research and increase cancer awareness.

[Will]

From the Flinders University website:

Armstrong leaves a legacy in Adelaide
Posted on: January 19th, 2010 by Marketing and Communications


Cycling legend Lance Armstrong’s passion for helping cancer survivors will have a lasting legacy in Adelaide when the new $27 million Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer opens in August next year.

At a special ceremony on the site of the soon-to-be built Centre, Premier Mike Rann and Lance Armstrong confirmed a lasting bond between LIVESTRONG®, his cancer foundation, and the new Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer.

“Lance Armstrong is just as committed to his passion for helping to saving the lives of cancer survivors across the world as he was when he made his come-back to professional riding at the Tour Down Under last year,” Mr Rann said.

“Helping cancer survivors has been the primary motivation behind Lance Armstrong’s decision to move back onto the professional cycling circuit.

“As a person who has so spectacularly returned to good health after surviving advanced testicular cancer, Lance is a powerful voice in raising awareness about the global cancer burden.”

Lance Armstrong said: “We are honored that the new research laboratories within the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer will be named the LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre and provide a world-class home to more than 100 of Australia’s leading cancer researchers.

“We commend your community for working together to make public health a priority so that the citizens of South Australia will live longer and better lives.”

The research wing of the new integrated cancer centre will be called the LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre, and will work on developing early diagnostics and new cancer prevention technologies and strategies.

“Many cancers can be prevented - that is the message that Flinders researchers and this new Centre will be sending the world, ” Mr Rann said.

“We have world leading researchers focussing on the new science of “nutrigenomics” - which is the science of using food and diets tailored to an individual’s genetics and medical conditions to prevent or inhibit cancers.

“This centre will be looking specifically at cancers in breasts, ovaries, and bowels. We have yet another team investigating how the body responds to low doses of radiation to improve natural cancer prevention mechanisms in the body.

“Another team will be producing a simple blood test for detection of pre-cancerous polyps in the bowel - an approach that will save lives by stopping cancer forming from these polyps.

“Flinders researchers already lead the way in exploring how best to provide information to patients with cancer and how to support them through their treatment.”

Mr Rann says the State Government has provided a $7.5 million commitment to the Centre, along with $5.2 million annually in operating costs.

“The Centre has also been funded from a $10 million grant from the Federal Government and a range of donations including from Flinders University, Australian Centre for Research Foundation, Cancer Council SA, Flinders’ own clinicians and the Volunteer Service for Flinders.

“In addition to this centre:

•work will begin soon on the $200 million SA Health and Medical Research Institute that will house up to 675 researchers working on cures and treatments for a range of diseases, including cancer;
•a new state-of-the-art research building at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Centre for Cancer Biology, a specialist cancer research centre within SA Pathology, were both opened last year;
•two new linear accelerators have been installed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital to aid cancer sufferers, and a third one has been installed at the Lyell McEwin Hospital;
•oncology services are beginning again at Modbury Hospital;
•new legislation has been introduced to regulate the use of solariums in SA; and
•SA was the first Australian State to ban smoking in cars where children under 16 are present.
“This is about doing what we can we employ every means possible to fight the global cancer epidemic,” Mr Rann said.

Chairman of the FMC Foundation, Mr Alan Young AM said LIVESTRONG’s unique association with this Centre will not only inspire survivors to tackle cancer head-on, just as Lance did, it will also encourage people to support the vital research that will be carried out in the Centre.

“Researchers - biomedical, behavioural and clinical - will work hand in hand with all relevant health-care professionals such as oncologists, surgeons, nutritionists, psychologists, cancer nurses and allied health professionals together with patients and their families to create a comprehensive and person-focussed approach to clinical care and research, so as to drive and inspire more effective results,” he said.

FCIC Director of Development, Professor Graeme Young said cancer prevention research could be the most effective ‘cure’ for cancer we will see in the next decade.

“Cancer does not form overnight - often taking years to develop. By understanding the biology of its development we are already finding ways to halt and alter its progression, diagnose and treat cells before they turn cancerous and also reverse damage.”

Detailed design on the Centre will continue over the next five months with bulldozers moving onto the site in July this year. The Centre has an expected completion date of August 2011.

Donations to support the LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre can be made by calling the FMC Foundation 8204 5216 or going online and www.flinders.sa.gov.au/fmcfoundation.

[Songsting]

This looks like a very exciting development, but for the life of me I can't imagine where it will be / is being built. Does anyone have a map image showing the building site location?

[Will]

This looks like a very exciting development, but for the life of me I can't imagine where it will be / is being built. Does anyone have a map image showing the building site location?

Near the Emergency ward and over the carpark.

[Will]

Construction has now begun.

From Woodhead international:

Livestrong Cancer Research Centre construction continues in Adelaide



A lasting link between cycling legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong and South Australia will be created when a new Woodhead designed centre for cancer research at Flinders Medical Centre is dedicated in his name.

The new research laboratories within the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer will be known as the LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre when it opens in 2011, providing world class facilities for some of Australia’s leading cancer researchers.

The Livestrong Cancer Research Centre is a strategically important health reform project for the nation. The LCRC, part of The Flinders Medical Centre, will be a centre of excellence, unique in its strategic focus on the scientific pursuit of novel preventative and screening detection strategies, the translation of these into community and clinical benefit, and the provision of multidisciplinary cancer care at all stages from health, through diagnosis, treatment and end-stage disease.

A key feature of the centre will be its capacity to integrate research across a number of basic disciplines and clinical sciences, thereby facilitating the rapid application of research findings to clinical practice. The architectural concept focuses on several key areas. It provides both an image of a strong identity, an integrated research facility that is at the cutting edge of research into the treatment of cancer and a place of healing, well-being and hope.

Externally, the building is read as modern, simple, and efficient. The simple rectilinear form is offset by a long, gentle, concave curve across the north facade, with a strong horizontal expression, giving the impression of hovering above the ground.

The atrium is seen as a space that is ‘sculptural’ - a soft, open, curvilinear space that is ‘carved’ out of the general mass of the building. This is in contrast to the regularity of the external facades. It is made up of an informal relationship of simple, overlapping curved elements which will be made from warm, natural timber veneers.

The atrium provides connectivity between the research and clinical floors. The ‘Northern Wing’ consists of research laboratories and office accommodation for clinical trials nurses and oncologists. The ‘Southern Wing’ accommodates the Cancer Clinic and the Day Treatment suites. The Ground floor consists of a multi-purpose lecture/function area with patient education facilities for public access. A new helipad will be located on the roof of the building. This will provide direct access to the existing Accident and Emergency Department for retrieval teams.

The functional layout of the building highlights the strategic intent of an integrated cancer centre whilst the design of the atrium with the use of materials and natural light creates a warm inviting space that promotes a sense of healing, well being and hope.

[ghs]

I don't think construction on this has started on this yet. At the moment they are working on expanding the
emergency department. This needs to be done since quite often the patients are put on beds and left
in the corridoors because there's not enough cubicles !

[ghs]

Work is about to commence on this and should finish next year, they've put some signs up which say that some areas are going to
to be closed off.