14 May 2007

£2.1 million donation brings scanner to Dundee

(pictures are available from Graeme Hart at Perthshire Picture Agency - 07990 594431)

Research into heart disease at the University of Dundee has been given a major boost with the donation of £2.1 million from Perthshire businessman Brian Souter to purchase and operate an MRI scanner.

The donation has been made to Dundee University’s Institute of Cardiovascular Research (TICR) at Ninewells Hospital, through the charity Chest Heart & Stroke, Scotland.

"This is a magnificent philanthropic gesture from Mr Souter and one which will have a significant impact on the work we can do here in Dundee," said Professor Jill Belch, Head of the Institute. "An MRI scanner is something which will allow us to broaden our research into new areas and will help us prevent heart disease, rather than merely treat it. This will have a huge impact on the lives of people in Tayside and Fife for many years to come."

Mr Brian Souter said "Heart disease is the number one killer in Scotland and I hope that the MRI scanner and the research it will carry out will help to decrease the number of people affected by this killer disease. I am also pleased that the scanner will be available to the NHS to help reduce waiting times."

Mr David Clark, CEO Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said "Scotland has made real progress in reducing death from heart disease and improving treatment, however we have been less successful in preventing heart disease from occurring. This major donation from Mr Souter, mediated through Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, will help reduce the incidence of this major killer over decades to come."

Shobna Vasishta, Chairman of the TICR appeal, which has already raised £4.5m for research, said: "I am aware that Mr Souter has for some time been working behind the scenes to increase Scotland’s awareness of its health problem and to provide ways to assist the reduction of Scotland’s high incidence of cardiovascular disease. With his help, researchers at Ninewells can make a positive contribution in combating Scottish heart disease."

The scanner, based at the new Clinical Research Centre at Ninewells, will be used to detect early heart and lung disease, and anyone based in Tayside and North Fife, over the age of 40, without known heart disease can volunteer to take part in the scanning study, which begins this Summer/Autumn. Persons wishing information can call 01382 633963, and leave their details.

Notes to Editors:

The Institute for Cardiovascular Research
TICR brings together teams of specialists in vascular biology, cardiac disease, nutrition, epidemiology and fundamental laboratory science to enable detection and intervention of heart-related diseases at an earlier stage. Two other key members of this award are Prof Allan Struthers, an international expert on heart failure, and Prof Frank Sullivan who leads research in Primary care in Tayside and North Fife. The charitable campaign to fund the institute has raised more than £4.5 million, which has helped build new laboratories in the University Medical School dedicated to cardiovascular research, established new Chairs in Cardiology and Vascular Surgery, and brought new research staff to Dundee.

MRI Scanner
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a new technique for seeing inside the body without the need for surgery. Unlike CAT scans, it does not use X Rays and is therefore thought to be safer. In addition in certain circumstances it can provide more detailed information than a CAT scan. Thus it provides a pain-free, non-invasive, safe method for imaging, and is the way forward not just for cardiac disease, but for cancer detection and treatment also. Dr Graeme Houston, Consultant, who also holds this award, will lead the scanning work.

Chest Heart and Stroke, Scotland
Chest Heart and Stroke, Scotland, is Scotland’s largest independent medical Charity and works to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, advice and information, and support in the community. (Contact Jan Buncle, tel. 0131 225 6963).

The new Clinical Research Centre
The new Clinical Research Centre (CRC) is a major new development being led by the University of Dundee School of Medicine and NHS Tayside. It will be housed in a purpose built "research hotel" attached to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. The CRC will act as a focus to translate world class biomedical research into earlier diagnosis and better treatment. Funding for this has been obtained from many sources including NHS Tayside.

Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death and ill health in the Western world with the UK near the top of the league for both male and female cardiovascular deaths. For many the initial vascular event, such as heart attack or stroke, is a precursor for chronic ill health with subsequent progression of degenerative vascular disease causing dementia, heart failure and arterial insufficiency at other sites. Whilst the main aim of the scanner is to screen for early heart disease, everyone who takes part will also have a lung screen to detect early lung cancer.

Scotland’s Health Record
Scotland’s health record is particularly poor with Scottish women having the lowest life expectancy in Western Europe and Scottish men are trailed only by Portuguese men. Health inequality inside Scotland itself is also striking with life expectancy for males in poorer parts of the country as low as 54 years old - the same as Cambodia. Prevention and early detection is important when one considers that 50% of heart attack victims die before they get to hospital.

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