The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, will today visit the new UTAS Medical Science Building in Hobart to officially sign over $44.7 million in Health and Hospital Fund Funding to assist in the growth and expansion of clinical research in the state.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, will today visit the new UTAS Medical Science Building in Hobart to officially sign over $44.7 million in Health and Hospital Fund Funding to assist in the growth and expansion of clinical research in the state.

The $44.7 million agreement between the Australian Government and the University will enable Menzies Research Institute Tasmania to build Medical Science 2 (MS2) which will be built adjacent to Medical Science 1 (MS1), on the corner of Liverpool and Campbell streets. 

Director of the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Professor Simon Foote says this agreement will ensure Tasmania's strong position in health and medical research into the future.

"It will enable Tasmania to grow and expand its research that will foster innovation and improvements in health services and lead to improved health outcomes for the whole community," Professor Foote said

"The agreement will enable Menzies to expand and develop new and leading areas of research in human medicine and health."

MS2 will house the clinical research facilities of the Royal Hobart Hospital, as well as Menzies expanding research program.

"The co-location of the Menzies with the clinical research area of the Royal Hobart Hospital will transform the eastern end of the city into a health and medical research precinct."

"The research undertaken will be based exclusively on research excellence. Research themes will support and complement current research activities within Tasmania and align with Tasmania's health care priorities," Professor Foote said.

University of Tasmania Vice Chancellor Professor Daryl Le Grew says MS1 and MS2 will be integrated into one world-class facility known as the UTAS Medical Science Precinct.

"UTAS Medical Science Precinct will be a centre of excellence for health and medical research in Tasmania, attracting national and international leading researchers," Professor Le Grew said.

"The centre will attract highly skilled researchers to the state, both from interstate and internationally, driven by the opportunity to participate in major joint research projects, the proximity to the Royal Hobart Hospital and the provision of the latest technologies and infrastructure," Professor Le Grew said.

The concept design phase of the MS2 project is now complete. As part of this phase, architectural firm Lyons Architecture is consulting with Tasmania's research community, health sector and UTAS and Menzies' staff for their ideas and input into the building design.

It is anticipated that site works will begin in April and construction of the new building in January 2011. MS2 is due for completion late 2012.

MS2 funding will be boosted with further financial support from the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government and the US-based Atlantic Philanthropies, which also supported Menzies' new home, the $58 million Medical Science 1 (MS1).

Released by:

Fiona Horwood
Communications Manager
Menzies Research Institute
Telephone:(03) 6226 7751

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