By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

DUNDEE’S Clinical Research Centre, officially opened yesterday, is the only place in Europe offering sophisticated scanning side-by-side with an operating theatre.

The £13 million centre at Ninewells Hospital, which will play an important role in tackling Scotland’s killer diseases, was formally opened by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

She said similar facilities were only available in Japan and at Harvard in the United States.

Ms Sturgeon took the opportunity afforded by the visit to announce Scottish Government funding of £1.68 million to provide a sophisticated scanner that detects and tracks cancer growths.

There have been protracted negotiations to secure funding for the dual PET-CT scanner, which was always viewed as a crucial element of the CRC.

The centre already has a large, empty, purpose-built room bearing a doorplate marked PET-CT scanner in anticipation of the deal being struck.

“I have been told this kind of set-up probably only exists outside of Dundee in Japan and Harvard,” said Ms Sturgeon.

“That really puts Dundee on the map in terms of clinical research.

“It really does enable this facility to carry out cutting edge research, but research…that will have big patient benefits.”

The new centre, developed in partnership between Dundee University and NHS Tayside, will be the hub for dozens of clinical studies and research projects every year, leading to clearer understanding of disease, earlier diagnosis and better treatment for patients.

The three-storey, purpose-built facility will provide access for patients to new treatments and will further develop research and treatment in key areas including cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, and mental health. It has already started taking patients involved in some of the clinical research studies being run in Tayside.

Ms Sturgeon praised NHS Tayside and Dundee University for their determination to remain at the leading edge of medical research and demonstrating their commitment by investing in what she described as “this absolutely fantastic clinical research centre.”

She said since the inception of the NHS 60 years ago NHS staff had always been keen to make progress and develop new treatments to benefit their patients and that was something that would continue.

“Research remains at the very heart of the modern NHS,” said Ms Sturgeon.

“Many NHS staff work collaboratively with academic colleagues, moving developments from the laboratory bench to practical application. That is increasingly recognised as an important activity and Scotland is increasingly being recognised as being at the very cutting edge of that.”

She said that cutting edge research required cutting edge equipment and that was why she was delighted to announce the funding of the PET/CT scan.

She added, “This absolutely fantastic clinical research centre is very clear evidence of Tayside’s commitment to be a leading player and I look forward to working in partnership with everyone to continue to increase research and continue to improve the health of the population we serve.”

Professor Alastair Thompson, director of the Clinical Research Centre and a leading researcher in breast cancer, emphasised the importance of patients to the success of the venture.

“With the magnificent help of the public across Tayside and north-east Fife we have been able to establish a great platform for medical research into some of the most serious diseases,” said Professor Thompson.

“What this centre does is give us a purpose-built facility capable of taking that research on to a new level. It will make us more efficient in our research, gives us greater capability to run more complex trials, and will give real benefit to patients in this area.

“What we have here is an outstanding facility of its type in the UK and right up there with the best in the world.”

CRC operations manager Dr Charles Weller said, “This centre ensures that Dundee and Tayside play their part in ensuring that Scotland remains at the forefront of clinical research.

“There are knock-on benefits to the local economy as well, since, as well as employing a number of new staff, the CRC will increase the attraction of Dundee for industrial collaborators as well as larger academically-funded projects.”

The building has been funded by the university, NHS Tayside and a donation from the Souter Foundation, with support from Scottish Enterprise Tayside and the Chief Scientist’s Office.