South Australian healthcare providers and patients will benefit from improved access to treatment, better education, and advanced research as part of a world-leading 5 year partnership announced today between GE Healthcare, SA Health and the South Australian Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) .
As part of this agreement South Australia's first Cyclotron™ is currently being installed and will be operated out of the new world class health and biomedical precinct that includes SAHMRI, the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of South Australia.
Supported by GE technology, the Cyclotron™ will produce a component called a radiotrace -- the necessary ingredient in cancer imaging. The in-house production of radiotracers will mean South Australia will no longer be dependent on interstate supply, increasing PET CT screening and access for cancer patients.
The Cyclotron™ will support current therapeutic needs and will also play an active role in ongoing research to target particular cancers.
The agreement will facilitate the building of a world class training and education program for nuclear medicine and bio-medical engineering. It will act as the launch platform for further research collaborations focusing on oncology, neurological, indigenous health and integrated care. Furthermore it will accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies.
"We view this as a long term partnership, which will see South Australia become an important hub for healthcare delivery, and a vital centre for medical education and innovation," said GE Healthcare's CEO & President, Michael Ackland.
"With Australia facing rising incidence of chronic disease such as cancer and Alzheimer's, we expect and increasingly demand will be placed on our finite healthcare resources."
This tripartite agreement is a key step in developing a collaborative approach to help transform medical research and technology into tangible and sustainable outcomes that will help address current and future healthcare challenges for clinicians and patients.