03.10.2006
Medical research in Sussex is set to increase with the launch of the Brighton and Sussex Clinical Investigation and Research Unit (CIRU). Based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, the £4 million unit contains specialised equipment and resources to carry out clinical investigations, patient-centred research and research training.
Clinical research is normally designed to help answer a specific question about a disease, its treatment, diagnosis and/or prevention. It also covers the study of patients' health data, biopsy material, or blood.
The CIRU will house a mixture of projects and studies funded by the public sector, charities, research councils or commercial companies. In line with the research strategy of Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust, projects will focus on cancer, genetics, neuroscience, psychiatry, infection and inflammation.
Facilities include a nine-bed trolley bay (pictured), several clinical and examination rooms, a phlebotomy area, laboratories, a 40-seat lecture room and viewing and interview rooms separated by a one-way mirror.
The building was opened on 21 September by Professor Sally Davies, Director of Research and Development at the Department of Health, which funded the CIRU. Professor Davies noted that it is essential to continue evaluating new therapies and processes of care in a dedicated, patient-friendly environment, and not let research atrophy.
BSMS places a high value on research, with its first cohort of fourth-year students set to undertake a 36 week individual research project when they return from their clinical electives. As Professor Jon Cohen, Dean of BSMS, pointed out, "Education, training and research are always at risk in times of financial hardship for the NHS. As well as hosting research, the CIRU is also a message about how central research is to the NHS."
For more information see www.bsms.ac.uk/ciru.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
