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Flinders University’s forthcoming Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) has achieved an unprecedented milestone as the inaugural medical institute worldwide to secure a prestigious ‘platinum’ rating from WiredScore, lauding its cutting-edge digital capabilities.
Anticipated for a mid-2024 unveiling, the $280 million HMRB emerges as the cornerstone of the expansive Flinders Village development, poised to inject a significant $1.5 billion into the economy while generating 600 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect employment opportunities within southern Adelaide’s biomedical research hub.
According to Flinders University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling, the 10-storey HMRB has been meticulously designed and constructed to integrate state-of-the-art digital features. These advancements are primed to empower Flinders’ researchers to continually advance the boundaries of medical knowledge.
“Drawing upon over five decades of Flinders’ healthcare and medical research, the HMRB will converge more than 600 researchers, clinicians, and support staff, revolutionising our comprehension, diagnosis, and treatment methodologies for enhanced community health and wellbeing,” Professor Stirling explained.
The construction of the HMRB has been meticulously crafted to not only serve as an architectural marvel but also as a technologically advanced facility geared towards enabling breakthrough research initiatives.
“The certification with platinum status not only establishes a global benchmark for digital prowess but also positions the HMRB as a pioneering nucleus for transformative research, signifying a remarkable leap for Flinders in spearheading healthcare innovation,” Professor Stirling added.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of digital connectivity in research excellence, Professor Stirling expressed gratitude to independent assessor Stantec and WiredScore for acknowledging Flinders University’s forward-thinking approach with the platinum digital connectivity rating, highlighting the university’s dedication to impactful research.
Ed Jennings, Head of ANZ at WiredScore, highlighted the paramount significance of achieving the platinum certification, commending Flinders for its unparalleled accomplishment.
“To ensure uninterrupted business operations, laboratory facilities necessitate best-in-class digital connectivity. By judiciously planning infrastructure and making upfront investments in resilience, Flinders has curated an environment conducive to the optimal functionality of their lab facility,” Mr Jennings stated.
He further underscored WiredScore’s pride in certifying the Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building as the premier medical research facility to attain WiredScore Platinum globally.
Professor Billie Bonevski, Director of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, expressed eagerness among researchers to use the cutting-edge facility’s technology to enhance community health outcomes.
“Our research spans diverse disciplines, ranging from laboratory discoveries propelling medical breakthroughs to innovations in clinical and public health services, aimed at fostering health equity and improved global health outcomes,” Professor Bonevski elaborated.
Highlighting the pivotal role of the HMRB’s advanced digital infrastructure, Professor Bonevski stresses how it would facilitate multidisciplinary collaborations, positioning Flinders at the forefront of innovation and discovery in healthcare.
WiredScore’s recognition encompasses a myriad of facets within the HMRB, including robust site-wide digital infrastructure, high-speed internet services, scalable technology capabilities, mobile performance within the building, resilience, and the safeguarding of telecommunications spaces.
Flinders University takes the lead in digital healthcare with a groundbreaking $1 million ‘safe@home’ project targeting chronic illness in underserved communities. Led by Professor Robyn Clark, this initiative aims to boost primary care through monitored virtual services, reducing hospital visits and wait times. Funded by a $1.1 million NHMRC grant, it promises scalable healthcare solutions for diverse regions.
Flinders University, actively pursuing digital advancements in education, is embarking on a mission to empower healthcare professionals. In a collaboration, ten nurses and midwives are set to become trailblazers in digital health through subsidised placements in the Graduate Certificate in Digital Health Management.
This 12-month, part-time program is a transformative opportunity for South Australian nurses and midwives in the public sector, equipping them with the necessary expertise to navigate the swiftly evolving digital health landscape.
The course promises to furnish participants with profound insights into conceptualising, crafting, implementing, and overseeing digital and virtual healthcare ecosystems, leveraging the latest technological innovations.
