Clinical research facilities at University of Southampton get a huge boost

Clinical research facilities in Southampton have received a financial boost from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). More than £ 9million has been awarded to the city’s partnership between University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Southampton, which will be used to support early-stage studies of new treatments for people with diseases such as: cancer, asthma, arthritis, liver disease, and heart disease.

Thousands of people from Southampton and surrounding areas take part in clinical research every year. In 2010/11 more than 13,000 patients were recruited to clinical trials – where research is taken out of the laboratory and into the clinic – making Southampton one of the top three centres in England.

The funding will support translational research collaborations between the Trust and the University incorporated within the Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research, the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility and the Southampton Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre.

Professor Iain Cameron, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Medicine, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this academic year (2011/12) comments: “Collaboration between universities and the NHS is essential to drive the discovery of new treatments for the benefit of patients. Longstanding relationships between the University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, research funders including medical charities, and the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry have led to world- class facilities being developed in Southampton. This latest funding from the NHIR will further cement our collaborations and allow us to remain on the cutting edge of clinical research.”

The University has international recognition, ranked 75th in the world ( QS World University Rankings 2011) - one of only 19 UK universities to be ranked among the top 100 in the world. Southampton is just over one hour from central London, on the south coast of England. The university is surrounded by areas of natural beauty including the New Forest and the Isle of Wight, and connected to the rest of the UK and Europe through superb road, rail, air and sea links.

Sri Lankans interested in finding out more about the study opportunities at Southampton are encouraged to make an appointment to meet Dr Lisa Blenkinsop by contacting the university’s trusted local partner, Mr Sri Kandasamy, Country Director, VIEC - 075 55 98 620 (mobile).

Photo g raph of Dr Lisa Blenkinsop, Country Development Manager Mr Kandasamy was formerly Education Services Manager at the British Council in Sri Lanka (& Maldives) and has excellent knowledge of the UK education system. Mr Kandasamy will be able to provide you with first class support as you make your preparations for study overseas which includes your visa application.

“Collaboration between universities and the NHS is essential to drive the discovery of new treatments for the benefit of patients. Longstanding relationships between the University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, research funders including medical charities, and the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry have led to world-class facilities being developed in Southampton. This latest funding from the NHIR will further cement our collaborations and allow us to remain on the cutting edge of

clinical research.”