Clinical trials could be held at SA Health and Medical Research Institute building

A dispute over a lack of clinical trial room at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital may be resolved by using space at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) building.

Two internal reports showed not all clinical trials could continue at the new hospital due to space constraints.

The Government had suggested moving trials to the Eleanor Harrald building at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, but clinicians rejected the plan.

The ABC understands those staff involved in administration functions will now be located at the SAHMRI next to the new hospital on North Terrace.

There will be space in the new hospital for researchers involved in face-to-face patient consultations as previously planned.

About 140 staff are currently working on 287 clinical trials at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with another 100 trials expected to start in the next year.

Clinicians had said that beneficial research and drug funding could be lost interstate if there was not room for all trials at the new hospital.

An analysis done by a senior clinician Michael James on behalf of all clinical trial coordinators and investigators found the Eleanor Harrald building was completely unsuitable.

In the report, researchers warned that splitting trials across two locations would lead to a second rate new hospital and lead to reduced recruitment and gross inefficiency.