The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) has chosen Leicester as the home for a new 5.5 million pound national research centre for heart disease at Glenfield Hospital. The quality research already being carried out into heart disease by Leicester's hospitals and the University of Leicester, helped doctors and scientists secure the NIHR funding to establish a Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit (BRU).
Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, Chief Executive at Leicester's hospitals, said: "The centre isn't just an asset for Leicester, but for the East Midlands and beyond. It is a huge accolade for everyone involved in the bid and a fine example of what can be achieved when the expertise of scientists at the University and our doctors is brought together."
More than 100 doctors and scientists will be involved in research at the new centre. Key strands of research will include the genetics and inheritance of heart disease, high blood pressure and the introduction of new treatments including different types of cardiac stents.
David Wynford -Thomas, Dean of the Medical School at the University of Leicester, said: "Leicester is already internationally renowned for its research into the underlying causes of heart and blood vessel disease and the development of new treatments. The centre will allow our discoveries in the laboratories to move into the clinical research stage quicker and ultimately patients will benefit sooner."
Professor Nilesh Samani, Consultant Cardiologist at Glenfield hospital and British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology at the University of Leicester, led the bid for the unit, he said: "The centre cements Glenfield's reputation as a leading international heart hospital.
He continued: "High quality research and better patient care go hand in hand. Heart disease takes life prematurely. We will bring together the best minds and technologies from all our local Universities and industry so that we can achieve a better understanding of the disease and how we tackle it to reduce the burden.
"Clinical research relies on the voluntary involvement of patients and the public. We want to encourage as much participation as we can and really put patients at the heart of the new centre."
About NIHR
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world-class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.
Source
National Institute for Health Research