£28m award for Greater Manchester hospitals
THE National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has awarded £28.5m to hospitals across Greater Manchester for pioneering lifesaving research and new treatments.
The bid for the cash was led by Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with The University of Manchester and the partnership also involves The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and is supported by Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.
It will see Manchester granted prestigious NIHR Biomedical Research Centre status.
The cash will be used for pioneering research into new tests and treatments in the areas of musculoskeletal disease, hearing health, respiratory disease and dermatology and cancer .
Jon Rouse, chief officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, the body overseeing the devolution of the £6bn health and social care budget, said: “The new partnership approach under devolution means that we have both the opportunity – and the means – to combine the talents of people from a whole range of areas to benefit our population.
“This hugely welcome funding is recognition that in Greater Manchester we can combine the best clinical skills with the best research, innovation and academic talent to take huge steps in improving the health and wellbeing of our people.”
Roger Spencer, chief executive of The Christie, said: “Having a BRC that focuses on three areas of cancer research is to be warmly welcomed. Together with cutting edge advances in treatment such as the new proton beam therapy unit, The Christie is improving research into cancer which means we will be even better able to serve the health needs of this region.”
