An international team of experts has judged the biomedical research conducted at The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, St Mary's NHS Trust and Imperial College London to be amongst the very best in the country.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced last week (8 December) the creation of eleven Biomedical Research Centres (BRC) and awarded BRC status to the two hospitals in partnership with Imperial College. BRCs will be leaders in translating scientific research into benefits for patients. Imperial's academic clinicians will work with their NHS colleagues to take research from the bench to the bedside, enabling the adoption of new technologies, techniques and treatments.
The award guarantees the partners research funding of £19.5 million per annum for the next five years, and makes the West London BRC the leading centre for the UK.
Trust Chief Executives Derek Smith and Julian Nettel, and Rector of Imperial College London Sir Richard Sykes said, "We are delighted to be recognised for the innovative research which is carried out through our partnership to advance healthcare and medical research around the world. Our research is at the forefront of biomedical invention with the primary goal of improving patient care.”
Awarding BRC status to the Trusts in academic partnership with Imperial is an endorsement of their intention to become the UK's first Academic Health Science Centre. (AHSC). The AHSC will be a healthcare organisation that integrates governance and management for service delivery, teaching and research, based on tried and tested models around the world. This concept represents a future that has captured the imagination and support of clinical leaders and senior management of all organisations and will enable West London to compete on a global stage.
The AHSC will be a magnet for investment and for clinical leaders who champion the creation and delivery of new diagnostic and treatment options to improve t
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Contact: Laura Gallagher
l.gallagher@imperial.ac.uk
44-020-759-46702
Imperial College London
10-Dec-2006