Earlier
diagnosis and better treatment for cancer
and heart disease are on the cards for
Scottish patients, thanks to a 10 million
pound research centre, opened today by
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
Ms Sturgeon also pledged 1.6 million pounds
Scottish Government funding for a PET-CT
scanner at the centre, which will bolster
medical research studies by tracing any
changes in cancer cell activity.
Based in Dundee, the state of the art
research centre will:
* be a hub for clinical studies and research
projects
* deliver cutting-edge procedures and
treatments to be developed and assessed for
use in the NHS
* provide critical diagnostic examinations
for cancer patients
* help ensure urgent referral to treatment
within 62 days
Ms Sturgeon said:
"Research remains at the heart of the modern
NHS and ensures great strides are made in
patient safety and providing the best
possible care.
"Screening for breast cancer, developing
pioneering child immunisation programmes and
opening blocked heart arteries by balloon
surgery are examples of important
developments which are now routine.
"These developments have radically changed
the way healthcare is provided in Scotland
and improved the health of our population.
"That is why I am delighted to open this
exciting new research centre and pledge
funding for a PET-CT scanner. Both will be
vital to building on Scotland's golden
reputation for world-class healthcare
solutions.
Professor Alastair Thompson, Director of the
clinical research centre and a leading
researcher in breast cancer, said:
"The Scottish Government announcement of
funding for the PET-CT scanner is wonderful
news. The scanner complements the other
features which we have built in to the
clinical research centre and underlines the
unique nature of this facility.
"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.
"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."
The Scottish Government will provide 1.68
million pounds for a PET- CT Scanner at the
clinical research centre in Dundee.
The new centre will be a hub for clinical
studies and research projects leading to
earlier diagnosis and better treatment for
cancer, heart disease, diabetes and mental
illness.
