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£2 million healthcare project to benefit
the economy
Sector: Health
Date Created: Thu 21st Feb 2008, 15:12:09
Source: Northern Ireland Executive
Link: www.northernireland.gov.uk
UK - Economy Minister Nigel Dodds today announced the creation of
a £2million research and development facility at Altnagelvin
Hospital, Londonderry.
The Academic Business Clinical Research Innovation
Facility (ABC – RIF) will be the first of its type in Northern
Ireland. It will deliver major economic and healthcare benefits by
providing locally based health and life sciences companies, university
researchers and hospital clinicians with access to state of the art
research facilities and clinical data.
It will facilitate the rapid development of leading edge products
and treatments, and increase the numbers of spin out firms, in addition
to improving patient care and hospital treatment. An increased number
of patent applications, joint ventures and R&D licences are expected
to result from this.
Commenting on the investment, the Minister said: “By encouraging
collaboration between Western Trust staff at Altnagelvin Hospital
and the University of Ulster, this project will accelerate the number
of commercial opportunities for established firms and new businesses.
“By sharing knowledge, cutting edge products and treatments can be brought
to market, ensuring that local firms are at the forefront of R&D in the
growing health and life sciences sector. Not only will this project deliver
significant economic benefits, but it will profile the quality of this region’s
knowledge infrastructure and ability to compete in global medical technology
markets. It will also ensure continued improvement in patient care.”
The Minister added: “This investment will also play a key role
in the ongoing development of the North West Business & Technology
Zone and the investment promotion and business development
efforts of Invest NI and Derry City Council.”
The project will be managed by the Western Health and Social Care
Trust in partnership with the University of Ulster and Derry City
Council.
Invest NI is administering £1.3million of European Union support
on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body under the INTERREG IIIa
Programme. It is also administering a further £464,000 through
the Integrated Development Fund (IDF). IIex which has a coordinating
role for the package of local IDF supported projects, views the project
as an important element of its work in regenerating the City of Derry.
Gerard Guckian, Chairman, Western Health and Social Care Trust said:
“For
the first time the Western Trust will have dedicated space devoted
to clinical research. This will allow us to build upon its existing
research capacity and to expand the range and volume of research
activity within the Trust in conjunction with our partners.
“Clinical Research is important for any healthcare organisation because
it increases our understanding of illness and leads to the development of better
treatments. ABC RIF is a great example of partnership working between the Western
Trust, the University of Ulster, Invest Northern Ireland and Derry City Council.”
Professor Bernie Hannigan, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
at the University of Ulster said:
“The ABC facility will be
a shining example of what can be achieved when partners have a common
goal and work together with mutual trust. Ultimately the beneficiaries
will be the population of the Western Trust's area. Clinically-focused
research provides solutions to healthcare needs, and innovative business
practices deliver the solutions to people."
Contractors are due to be onsite by the end of February 2008 and
the building is due to be completed in September 2008.
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