First look at new $154m medical facility in GC Health Precinct

Construction has begun for a $154 million medical facility on the Gold Coast which is expected to be a leading hub of innovation, research and treatment.

Construction has begun for a $154 million “state-of-the-art” life science centre on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

Construction has begun for a $154 million “state-of-the-art” life science centre on the Gold Coast.

The RDX facility, which will become a hub of cutting-edge medical technology, global clinical trials and emerging research and treatment into neurovascular, cardiovascular and spinal conditions, will be built at the heart of the Health and Knowledge Precinct in a major boost to the area.

Innovation Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said construction of the eight-story complex would inject more than $372m into the economy and create 182 jobs now, plus a further 300 positions once it is operational.

Artist rendition of the RDX Centre for Excellence at the heart of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct. Picture: Supplied

“This project led by Northwest Healthcare Properties will attract around $150 million in private sector investment,” Mr Hinchcliffe said.

“Once completed, this precinct will be one of the most advanced health and knowledge innovation hubs in the whole of Asia Pacific.”

Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Craig Mitchell, Northwest’s Australia and New Zealand CEO said RDX was one of $850m worth of future healthcare and real estate development his company would develop by 2028.

RDX will house Australia’s first image-guided therapy surgical and robotics training centre – Neutex Training Centre led by Dr Hal Rice.

Pictured is the Philips Azurion - a device that scans the body allowing surgeons to rehearse and perform complex surgeries. Picture: Supplied

The training centre will also be the first facility in the world to operate the multimillion-dollar system, Azurion, outside a hospital allowing surgeons and experts to treat strokes, neurovascular, cardiovascular and spinal conditions.

Dr Rice said the Azurion was already being used to train doctors and surgeons across the Asia-Pacific to simulate life-threatening medical emergencies remotely from the Gold Coast.

“We’re based out of a temporary lab here in the Health Precinct. We can send scans of our patients (from across the Asia-Pacific) to Griffith University to 3D print the patient’s blood clot or aneurysm,” he said.

“This means we can rehearse complicated surgeries five or six times before needing to treat the patient.”

“(The RDX) has a really important role for maintaining competencies of local doctors, physicians, but more importantly, training people from emerging healthcare sectors of the Asia Pacific region.”

Pictured are Neutex founders Dr Laetitia de Villiers and Dr Hal Rice (in blue) during the first training sessionusing the Azurion. Picture: Supplied

Dr Rice said the RDX building has a “critical” role in transforming the health care sector.

“The future of healthcare is highly-collaborative precincts where the public sector and private sector work closely together.”

The building will also include a bridge-link to the Gold Coast Private Hospital which is expected to allow direct access to the hospital’s emergency department.

Construction will also include the development of “premium” end-of-trip facilities, flexible accommodation solutions, and 181 carparking bays.

Northwest is now taking leasing inquiries for RDX and have appointed global real estate firm, JLL, as the exclusive leasing agents on the building.

Originally published as First look at new $154m medical facility in GC Health Precinct