Fife Research Centre Opens

NHS Fife has further enhanced its reputation as a centre of excellence for clinical research by opening a new facility at the Victoria Hospital.

The Clinical Research Facility, located in Phase 1, was formally opened by Scotland’s Chief Scientist for Health, Professor Andrew Morris, and Dean of the Medical School at St Andrews University, Professor David Crossman.

The facility takes research out of clinical areas and moves it into a dedicated space, which reduces the potential for research and clinical work to compete for the same resources, as activity increases. It provides the space, equipment and staff to deliver high-quality research and brings opportunities to collaborate with scientists and biotech companies to develop therapies and treatments to benefit patients across Fife. It's projected that the new facility will significantly increase the health board’s income from commercial research.

NHS Fife is now the seventh health board to open a dedicated on-site clinical research facility and follows the opening of the Research and Development Department at the Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, in the summer.

Commenting, Research and Development Manager, Dr Amanda Wood, said:“This new facility is yet another step forward for clinical research in Fife and will play a key role in improving treatments, delivering significant benefits for patients across the region in years to come.

“Moving research out of clinical areas and into a dedicated space not only avoids competition for resources in the event that clinical activity increases; it also provides free access to medications as part of clinical trials, access that NHS Fife would otherwise have to fund.

“From the very start the participation of patients from across Fife has been central to this project and they continue to be central to its success. Fife is currently home to what we would term an ‘under-researched’ population. Therefore, research facilities such as this are vital and we will be looking to maximise the number of opportunities for local patients to participate in local, regional, and national research projects.

“Ultimately, this is another significant step forward for research and development at NHS Fife and with further clinical research facilities being established at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, we are in a good position to continue to build upon our position as a national centre of excellence for clinical research.”

Interim Chief Executive of NHS Fife, Dr Brian Montgomery, added: “This new facility will provide significant opportunities for scientists and biotechnology companies to collaborate with clinical research staff, developing new therapies and treatments that will be of real benefit to patients.

“Importantly, this facility further enhances NHS Fife’s growing reputation as a centre of research and innovation excellence, and in the recruitment and retention of high quality clinical research staff. “

Scotland’s Chief Scientist for Health, Professor Andrew Morris, said: “I was delighted to be involved in officially opening this new Clinical Research Facility at the Victoria Hospital and I am sure that it will be both a fantastic asset for patients, and provide opportunities for collaboration across Scotland, and beyond.

“Research plays an important role in improving health and healthcare and Fife is swiftly establishing a reputation as a Scottish centre of excellence in this field.  Indeed, following the opening of the new R&D facility at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, last year, this is the second time I have had the pleasure of opening a research facility here.

“NHS Fife clearly has a commitment to clinical research and the region will no doubt play a key role in improving both patient care and economic growth in Scotland.”