Monday 11 December 2006
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has just announced that The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, which form Europe’s largest comprehensive cancer centre, have been awarded one of ten National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre grants. The centre is the only one in the NHS to be awarded this prestigious grant for cancer research.
The new grant provides The Royal Marsden and The Institute with £10 million of funding each year for cancer research and for a new state-of-the-art molecular pathology centre.
The award forms part of the Government’s new ‘Best Research for Best Health’ programme, and aims to drive innovation and research in the NHS towards providing more rapid benefits for patients. The Royal Marsden and The Institute were selected for their proven record of excellence in cancer research, their research capabilities and strong forward plan. As a comprehensive cancer centre, The Royal Marsden and The Institute are committed to improving outcomes for patients with cancer nationally and internationally.
Dr Stephen Johnston, Director of Clinical Research and Development for The Royal Marsden and The Institute said, “It is very encouraging that the NIHR sees cancer research as a real priority, as cancer is one of the UK’s biggest killers. This new funding will allow us to take forward our ambitious future plans for research and drug development. In particular, our focus is to translate new research findings on the causes of cancer into better diagnosis, treatment and ultimately prevention.”
- ends -
For further information please contact:
Hannah Crabtree
The Institute of Cancer Research
T: 020 7153 5307
E: [email protected]
Naomi Wright
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
T: 020 7808 2605
E: [email protected]
Notes to editors:
- The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust work together in a unique partnership forming the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. This relationship enables close daily contact with those on the frontline in the fight against cancer - the clinicians, the carers and most importantly, the patients.
The Institute of Cancer Research
- The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe’s leading cancer research centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Website at: www.icr.ac.uk.
- The Institute is a charity that relies on voluntary income. The Institute is one of the world’s most cost-effective major cancer research organisations with over 90p in every £ directly supporting research.
The Royal Marsden
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a comprehensive cancer centre which sees over 40,000 patients every year.
- It provides in patient, day care and out patient services for all types of cancer, with a full range of specialist services from critical care to rehabilitation.