In anticipation of moving to our new home within the Perth Children’s Hospital, The Kids would like to thank both the State and Federal governments for funding our world-class research facility.
Our facility includes state- of-the art laboratories, equipment, collaboration and research facilities on levels 6 and 7, a seminar room, dedicated clinical trial suites on level 1 and an interactive discovery space — the The Kids Discovery Centre — on the ground floor.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis said that, as the hospital’s primary paediatric research partner, Institute researchers were looking forward to working together with doctors, nurses and other health professionals at PCH in the interests of improving child health and development.
“High-quality research is an integral part of excellent hospitals, so being integrated within the Perth Children’s Hospital building will provide fantastic opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that research is translated quickly into care, and that researchers can also respond to clinicians’ needs and experiences,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to being an essential component of the paediatric medical and research hub that will be Perth Children’s Hospital, which will make a huge difference to the health and development of children across Western Australia.”
Discovering the science behind medical research
Young visitors to our new home will soon be delving into the science that underpins modern medicine through an interactive discovery space called the The Kids Discovery Centre.
Generously funded by Lotterywest, the Centre will be located on the ground floor in the Perth Children’s Hospital’s north wing, the entrance through which an estimated 300,000 children and their families will walk through to access The Kids Research Institute Australia and other places within the hospital.
There will also be interactive mobile displays to take our research into the hospital for the young patients and their families.
“Thanks to Lotterywest, this is an exciting opportunity for the Institute to entertain, educate and engage young patients, their families and the community about medical research ,” Elizabeth Chester, The Kids Research Institute Australia Director of Communications and Development, said.
“Having the hospital and research facility under the one roof means researchers and clinicians can work even more closely to develop better therapies for children – and we are excited to be able to showcase that work in the The Kids Discovery Centre.
“Hopefully we can inspire some of our visitors to be the next generation of scientists and health professionals to work in this challenging and rewarding field.”
Lorna Pritchard, Lotterywest, acting General Manager Grants and Community Development, said Lotterywest was delighted to provide a grant of $1.5 million to support the establishment of the The Kids Discovery Centre.
“At Lotterywest, we’re all about supporting the things that make Western Australia great – something The Kids Research Institute Australia does each and every day by discovering causes, cures and treatments for illnesses that affect children in Western Australia,” she said.
“This unique creative space will provide an educational, fun and engaging experience for patients of the Perth Children’s Hospital as well as their families, visitors and the general community.”
Want to help The Kids create a healthier future for children? People like you make all the difference. Join us by making a donation, fundraising, becoming a corporate sponsor, or making a bequest.