FAQ's - the Woolcock's move to Glebe

Why is the Woolcock moving?

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research’s 160 staff have been housed in substandard accommodation spread across seven locations on the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The University of Sydney campuses.

The new home for the Woolcock has been leased on a long term basis from the University of Sydney and is located at 431 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, Sydney. 

Key emphasis for the new location is on the care and comfort of our most important resource - our research participants and our patients. We believe those who are familiar with the Woolcock will be pleased with the new environs. 

Established in 1981 and originally known as the Institute of Respiratory Medicine, the Woolcock has achieved a number of achievements over the years resulting in its international recognition for leading edge research.

Working closely with both local and international researchers the Woolcock's mission is to improve the respiratory and sleep health of all Australians through research, education, prevention and care.

The Woolcock has approximately 50 to 60 research studies running at any given time looking at areas such as asthma, allergies, sleep apnea, fatigue, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary physiology.

What does the new location feature?

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research's new facility includes several ‘best-in-class’ elements, including:

• 18-bed Diagnostic / Sleep / Noise Laboratory, featuring:
  
  8 beds of intensive polysomnography [sleep studies],
  
  4 beds of long-term intensive monitoring with external isolation,
  
  1 long term intensive monitoring suite (with sound/light/vibration isolation and control) for Chronobiology experimentation,
  
  1 Noise Research Suite (an apartment-like fitout which is completely sound isolated from the environment, into which noise may be introduced for research purposes),
  
  4 beds with dual use - clinical interview and polysomnography or neurocognitive testing,
  
  The most advanced acoustic and vibration isolation in the southern hemisphere,
  
  State of the art diagnostic, video, and monitoring equipment
  
  
  
• Education / Lecture facility - allowing groups of up to 240 attendees, with catering and service support for such functions
  
  
• 4-bed early phase clinical trials unit
  
  
• Interdisciplinary private clinic
  
  
• Wet-lab space including advanced assay capability

The building will also house the Cooperative Research Centre for Asthma and Airway Diseases, the Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, the Australasian Sleep Clinical Trials Network and the Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring.

How is this new research facility being funded?

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research received

• $5 million from the Australian Government
  
• and $5 million from the NSW Government
  

to purpose design and fit-out a new home for all of the Woolcock’s activities and its rapidly growing research program.