Basil Hetzel Institute - About Us

THE BASIL HETZEL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

The Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research is the productive research arm of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.  Through its teaching and research affiliation with the Universities of Adelaide, South Australia and The Flinders University of South Australia, the hospital provides a dynamic environment in which research and research training opportunities are pursued.  The Institute's spectrum of inquiry is broad, and includes exploring causes, potential improvements in therapeutic outcomes and prevention of some of the most serious and common health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and stroke.  The strategic nexus between clinical issues and research priorities is made possible by the close interface with the hospital’s clinical activity.

The Honourable Basil S Hetzel, AC, an international figure in medical research has lent his support to this Institute.  On the 5^th October 2001 the research endeavours of the hospital were renamed The Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research.

In 2004 the South Australian government announced funding of $120 million for the second stage of the redevelopment of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, including a new research facility of 4,000 sq-m at a cost of $18 million dollars.  The new facility will replace the current Basil Hetzel Institute research facility as it is in the footprint of the new patient diagnostic/treatment area of the further planned redevelopment of the hospital.

The new Institute has a prominent position on the hospital campus, having Woodville Road frontage, and comprises substantial new wet laboratories and office accommodation for over 135 research and research administrative staff.  The laboratory components are quite specific but the overall outcome is a generic, multi-function, efficient building with easy-shared access and limited constraints.  The building has been constructed to allow for the option of expansion in the longer-term, by building an under croft of 2000sq-m floor space. 

Construction commenced in July 2007 and the facility was completed in December 2008. The facility was officially opened by the SA Premier, Hon Mike Rann on 1 March 2009.

TQEH RESEARCH REPORTS           

2008	2007	2006

TQEH RESEARCH REPORT ARCHIVES

2005-1998

THE BASIL HETZEL INSTITUTE POLICY COMMITTEE

Established in 1996, the Clinical Development Research Centre, now the Basil Hetzel Institute (BHI) Policy Committee's role is to provide strategic advice for the running of the BHI and to optimise the available support programs across The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH).

The Committee is comprised of senior representatives from:

• the two Universities with whom the Hospital is affiliated, Adelaide University and the University of South Australia;
• academic Heads of Departments at TQEH (Medicine & Surgery);
• research nursing;
• a senior representative from Allied Health, and
• the scientific community.

Professor Guy Maddern was reappointed to the position of Director of Research in February 2005 for a five-year term.  This leadership position has been critical to furthering the aims of research excellence and enhancing the research reputation of TQEH.

Several Sub-Committees assist the BHI Policy Committee as required, notably the:

• Research Day Organising Committee, chaired by Dr Prue Cowled, University of Adelaide Discipline of Surgery, in the planning and running of the annual Research Day event.
• Scholarship Selection Committee, chaired by Professor Maddern, in awarding a range of Scholarships funded by TQEH Research Foundation.
• BHI Management Committee, chaired in 2006 by A/Professor Ray Morris, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, in managing the existing BHI facility, working with the architects and redevelopment team to develop the planned new facility and in due course to manage the BHI facility, including managing the move.
• The Hospital's Research Secretariat undertakes a range of activities to assist the Director of Research in promoting, fostering and administering quality research activity across TQEH.