1 August 2006

Unveiling of University Teaching Hospital Status at Perth Royal Infirmary

Perth Royal Infirmary’s new status as a University Teaching Hospital was formally unveiled at a ceremony today.

The University of Dundee has taken over the long-vacant wards 11 and 12 at the hospital and is transforming them into a £5 million clinical research centre concentrating on chronic diseases such as asthma.

Establishing a larger base at PRI also enables the University to greatly expand its teaching facilities at the site and will boost efforts to engage the public in Perth and Kinross with an increased range of clinical research programmes.

Professor James Calderhead, Vice-Principal of the University, will unveil a new sign to mark the hospital’s new status on Tuesday August 1st.

Professor Calderhead said, "This is an important development in medical education and research in Scotland.

"The new link between the University of Dundee and Perth Royal Infirmary will provide additional training opportunities for the increasing number of doctors coming through the University, and will also provide a base for the further development of clinical research.

"This is an important partnership that can lead to significant improvements in health care within the region and beyond, and the University looks forward to a long association with PRI."

Research into adult and childhood asthma and other diseases will form much of the work done at the Perth Clinical Research Centre. The University’s Adult Asthma and Allergy Group, led by Professor Brian Lipworth, has already established a unit at PRI. Work by Dr Somnath Mukhopadhyay on childhood asthma is also taking place at PRI.

Peter Bates, Chair of NHS Tayside, said, "This new link between PRI and the University of Dundee is a further example of the close working partnership which we have built over the years.

"It is also another demonstration of the strong commitment that both NHS Tayside and the University have for developing teaching, research and clinical excellence at PRI.

"With this kind of joint working, we can develop new treatments and ultimately bring greater benefits to our patients."

Provost Bob Scott said, "Perth and Kinross Council fully supports this important initiative and looks forward to working with NHS Tayside and the University on maximising the benefits for the people of Perth and Kinross. I am delighted to be here today at the launch of this exciting venture."

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk