It was hailed as a triumph of collaboration and a new template for the future of medical research when it was launched in 2009, but after the honeymoon years vanished, South Australia’s flagship medical institute is now to be folded in as part of Adelaide University.
Flinders, Uni SA, Adelaide and SA Government researchers committed to pitting their collective resources and insights together at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), but the project as we know it was drawn to a close last week, when SA Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis handed the keys to Adelaide University VC Nicola Phillips, essentially announcing an end to more than 16 years of inter-institutional collaboration.
Housed in an award-winning architect-designed building on North Terrace, there was an upswelling of State pride in the early days of the institute, with the idea for a second SAHMRI building floated in 2018.
However, SAHMRI has been dogged by controversy over the past few years as a result of issues with attempts to develop Australia’s first proton therapy facility, the Bragg Centre, which was to be housed in a basement of SAHMRI’s second landmark building, SAHMRI 2.
The concrete bunker constructed for the proton facility was built to accommodate a specific type of therapy machine and could not fit other types, Mr Koutsantonis said.
“This project has been beset with delays that started in May 2018 when the contract was signed for the wrong unit.” Mr Koutsantonis said.
The Federal government is now looking at options for whether to alter the bunker or develop a new facility and in the meantime, continues to fund proton therapy treatment for Australian patients by flying them to Singapore or the US, he said.
Adelaide University will assume sole financial and governance control of SAHMRI, while Flinders-led programs will transition out of SAHMRI and be returned to the sole control of Bedford Park HQ. The Bragg Centre for proton therapy will be hived out of SAHMRI while the Australian Government reviews options for a future centre.
The Malinauskas Government have taken a keen interest in higher education and research, backing in the merger of UniSA and the University of Adelaide, and now acting to dissolve a partnership recognised as no longer functioning effectively, despite the marquee status of SAHMRI as the State’s leading health research institute.
Mr Koutsantonis said the move was necessary to “achieve an outcome that protects research capability, supports researchers and delivers long-term stability.”
SAHMRI Executive Director Maria Makrides said researchers would welcome the change, providing certainty for the organisation moving forward, and enabling greater synergies with Adelaide University research programs. SAHMRI will retain its brand as it moves into the univerity's control.
Flinders U VC Colin Stirling said Flinders-led programs would withdraw to the Flinders campus and wished SAHMRI well.