New unit is a boost for diabetes research
A £600,000 Perth Royal Infirmary unit for diabetes research facilities officially opens.
Perth Royal Infirmary.
- By Eric Nicolson
- Published in the Courier : 01.09.10
- Published online : 01.09.10 @ 06.07am
The Gannochy Trust Clinical Research Suite, which was officially opened yesterday, is funded by Dundee University's £3 million Diabetes Research Campaign, with support from the Gannochy Trust.
Key to the campaign is the provision in Perth of an environment in which scientists and doctors can undertake research from "the cell to the community."
The suite will fulfil this aim and enable patients in Perth and Kinross to more easily engage with researchers.
Professor Andrew Morris, of the university, said, "We have always enjoyed wonderful support from the public across Tayside for the research we carry out, and it would not be possible to do much of that research without people getting as involved as they have.
"Thanks largely to the outstanding efforts of the members of the public, Tayside is now internationally recognised as having arguably the best information and knowledge of a diabetic population anywhere in the world.
"With this facility we are reaching out to people in Perth and Kinross and making it easier for them to engage with the research we are doing, all of which is helping provide new knowledge about diabetes and shape future treatments and prevention.
"We are delighted at the backing the campaign received, and particular thanks for helping to establish the Perth centre must go to The Gannochy Trust who provided substantial funding for the project."
The Diabetes Research Campaign has raised £3 million. This money has been used to establish outpatient clinical research across Tayside, recruit researchers to Dundee and build on existing clinical and laboratory research capacity.
In addition to the campaign of public fund-raising, there has also been significant investment from NHS Tayside, including £650,000 which was granted from the NHS Tayside Endowment Fund.
Dundee University has been hailed as a world-leading centre for research into diabetes and is home to the Dundee Diabetes Research Centre, which hosts over 25 research teams engaged in diabetes research, ranging from the study of single molecules to complex clinical studies.
Radio and TV personality Fred MacAulay, who hails from Perth and is a former Dundee University rector, opened the research suite.
Those interested in joining a diabetes research trial are asked to contact Jackie Lindsey or Natalie Smith on 01382 640169.
Add a comment