Ground breaking research at Manchester's new clinical facility

Issue Date: 26 June 2002

Anna Ford, BBC News Presenter and University of Manchester Chancellor, today (Monday 1 July) opens new research facilities at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

One of only five centres in the UK, Manchester's Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility aims to bring research straight from the laboratory bench to the bedside. The brand new three storey state-of-the-art centre is purpose designed for efficient patient-orientated clinical research. Examples of studies currently being undertaken include those on:

• Ovarian cancer screening;

• Osteoporosis

• Childhood language impairment

• Physiotherapy for complications of diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)

• Wound healing

The Wellcome Trust provided the £3.6 million building costs to the new Clinical Research Facility, which is a joint venture between the Wellcome Trust, Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Manchester.

The Manchester facility has a major human performance laboratory, used to monitor heart, lung and muscle function, major imaging facilities for brain and bone studies, inpatient and outpatient facilities for children and adults, and a tissue laboratory for patient samples. The research is underpinned by a powerful infrastructure of statistics, computing, information technology and training.

Professor John Marshall will be joining Anna Ford at the opening of the Manchester's Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility. Following the opening, he and Anna Ford will meet some of the people involved in the studies.

Dr Mike Dexter, Director of the Wellcome Trust said: "Being a Mancunian, I am delighted to see Trust funds recognising the increasing status and quality of clinical research in Manchester.

"Clinical research is an increasingly important part of the Trust's overall strategy to turn scientific discovery into real health benefits. We believe our investment in these facilities will provide a catalyst to develop a strong national network of units dedicated to patient-orientated research.

"Our colleagues in Manchester are undertaking many exciting studies which will help transform the lives of many people suffering from a range of devastating diseases. These are excellent examples of science and medicine working hand in hand.

"Building this area of our health service is important for keeping the UK at the leading edge of world research as other countries are forging ahead with clinical research. This new partnership between the Wellcome Trust, the NHS and university researchers can make the revival of such work in the UK a reality."

The Wellcome Trust has provided the funds to build and equip the new unit (at a total cost of £4.2 million), with the running costs being met by the NHS Trusts and the University of Manchester.

Professor Tony Heagerty, acting Medical Director of the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility said: "This is an extremely exciting initiative that will make a significant contribution to advancing healthcare. The purpose built facility will provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients whilst enabling the undertaking of the highest quality research. It provides a vital link in the translation of laboratory research into clinical innovation."

Professor Jackie Oldham, Operational Director of the Manchester facility said: "The fundamental principles of the Clinical Research Facility are efficiency and quality. This type of environment will provide a major boost for researchers wishing to carry out patient-oriented research."

Ms Diane Pryce, who is taking part in one of the studies said: "The Manchester facility is a wonderful place which has very friendly and efficient staff, who are always available if you have a problem or just need some advice. The atmosphere is pleasant and calm and I would not have any doubts about going again."

Pupils from Ewing School in Didsbury are taking part in one of the studies of language disorders. Their head teacher, Mrs Pat Derbyshire said: "My hope is that this piece of research will help us identify a significant area of difficulty for pupils experiencing specific language impairment. From this I then hope that we can devise intervention strategies to enable these pupils to further reduce the impact of their special education need."

For media information please contact:

• Yvonne King, Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, tel: 0161 2764522

• Shaun Griffin, Wellcome Trust Media Office, tel: 0207 611 8612; mobile: 07710 307059

• Kathy Armstrong, Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, tel: 0161 882 1059

• Alan Ferns, University of Manchester, tel: 0161 275 2114

• Karen Moore, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, tel: 0161 291 2039

• Amanda Thomas, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, tel: 0161 7875861

Notes to editors:

1. If you would like to attend the opening on 1 July, please contact Selvi Jeyaseelan, Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, tel: 0161 906 7516

2. The Wellcome Trust is an independent research-funding charity established under the will of Sir Henry Wellcome in 1936. It is funded from a private endowment which is managed with long-term stability and growth in mind. The Trust's mission is to promote research with the aim of improving human and animal health. It has invested a total of £20m in the Clinical Research Facility scheme.

3. The Wellcome Trust is also funding the construction costs of four other Clinical Research Facilities, in Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Southampton.

4. Anna Ford took up her position as the first woman Chancellor in the University of Manchester's 150 year history in 2001. In 1966 she graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA (Econ) and became the first female president of the Students' Union in the same year. Her broadcasting career was launched with Granada in 1974, and has since included the programmes Tomorrow's World, Man Alive and Today. In 1978 she became ITN's first female prime-time newscaster and is currently presenter of the BBC One O'clock news.

5. Professor John C Marshall is the Arthur and Margaret Ebbert Professor of Medical Science and Director Centre for Research in Reproduction, University of Virginia. He graduated from the University of Manchester Medical School in 1973 and has been working the USA since 1976.