SA Pathology move put on hold by state government

A year-long search for a new SA Pathology site in the CBD is on hold as the government reconsiders the future of the city’s biomedical precinct.

A year-long search for a CBD site to accommodate a new central laboratory for SA Pathology has been put on hold by the state government as it reconsiders the future of the city's biomedical precinct.

Two sites had been shortlisted for the development of a new state-of-the-art 14,000sq m laboratory facility – the Ferrari Adelaide showroom site on West Tce and another site immediately to the east of the Newmarket Hotel on North Tce.

However it is understood the government is now considering whether to build the facility next to the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), where the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) could also be built.

The former Liberal government released a tender for development of a new SA Pathology facility last September, aimed at consolidating a range of pathology services including its existing central laboratory on Frome Rd.

A preferred site was expected to be announced by February.

A technical officer moves vials of coronavirus test samples at the SA Pathology laboratory on Frome Rd. Picture: Mark Brake

According to the tender, the new laboratory was to be located within 500 metres of the RAH and required “full accessibility” from both the RAH and the WCH.

The government had planned to enter a long-term lease of 30 years or more, and the laboratory was needed by 2026 to enable the relocation of SA Pathology services currently delivered at the WCH ahead of its decommissioning.

However with Labor taking power in March, the new government is now undertaking a wider review of the city’s future hospital and health infrastructure needs.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the government was still working on “developing the business case for the new SA Pathology headquarters”.

“SA Pathology plays a vital role in our public health system and a new central laboratory would make it easier for staff to provide clinical services to the community,” he said.

“The process to determine a new location is ongoing and we continue to assess the most suitable option while working with shortlisted developers and finalisation of the business case.”

SA Pathology conducts more than 15 million tests each year in laboratories throughout the state’s hospital system and at the current central laboratory on Frome Rd, which is expected to make way for technology and start-up businesses at Lot Fourteen.

Last month Premier Peter Malinauskas told The Advertiser the location and scope of the new WCH would be announced before the end of the year.

The government is reviewing the previous government’s $2bn-plus plan to build the hospital on the Adelaide railyards site – next to the RAH – and has said it is prepared to move away from that option if a more appropriate alternative emerged.