Forty four years after the Institute of Neurological Sciences opened (1971) it is undergoing a £40 million modernisation in partnership with the University of Glasgow that will return it to a truly leading edge facility for 21st century medicine and research.
A series of physically linked developments make up this tremendous modernisation. These developments include:
- A new University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde £5m Clinical Research Facility (CRF), on the 5th floor of the neurosciences building, ensuring the hospital is at the forefront of clinical trials.
- A stunning new neuro-physiology department.
- A new Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE), led by the University of Glasgow and funded as part of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, which will include a world-leading £7m ultra high-field MRI scanner, creating a research facility which will be unique in the UK.
- The creation of brand new state-of-the-art operating theatres.
- A massive external makeover of the neurosciences building to bring it up to the modern style of its classy new neighbours just across the campus – namely the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the new Royal Hospital for Children.
- New purpose built day treatment unit for patients receiving treatment for ongoing neurological conditions, and,
- The redesigned and redevelopment of ward 66 to provide excellent facilities incorporating flexible use clinical rooms, pre-assessment, a 19 bedded same-day-admission and day surgery unit and a discharge lounge.
- The introduction of free patient entertainment system and Wi-Fi.
Taken together these developments by NHSGGC and the University of Glasgow represent an investment of more than 40million between 2013 and 2017.
Health Secretary, Shona Robison, said: “This is a substantial investment that will bring real benefits for patients. It is an exciting project that will update and modernise neuroscience facilities in Glasgow so that they are truly world class and at the cutting edge of the latest technology. It demonstrates our commitment to provide the very best environment and facilities for patients and medical staff across our NHS. That is exactly why we are investing over £12bn in our health service this year for the first time on record, ensuring improvements like these can go ahead.”
Robert Calderwood, NHSGGC Chief executive, said: “This tremendous neurosciences modernisation and development programme, in partnership with the University of Glasgow, will give our patents and staff access to the highest quality of theatre, ward, research and imaging facilities.
“Normally NHS facilities built in the 60s would be getting to the end of their lives by this point but these exciting developments will return this building to a state-of-the-art neurosciences centre once more.”
Professor Anna Dominiczak, Vice-Principal and Head of College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, said: “The Imaging Centre of Excellence will be the first facility of its kind to bring together NHS, academic and industry partners under the same roof to develop and apply advanced imaging technologies that will aid our understanding and treatment of a range of human diseases.
“The advanced imaging technology will also dovetail the world-leading clinical academic expertise in stroke, cardiovascular disease, and brain imaging, already based at the University of Glasgow, helping secure the city’s position as leaders in the field of Precision Medicine.”
The spectacular ICE building will unite world-leading clinical academic expertise and specialist industry to develop advanced diagnostic imaging methodologies for use in stroke, cardiovascular disease and brain imaging. It will also house the first 7T MRI scanner in the UK to be sited in a clinical setting. This scanner utilises the most powerful imaging magnet currently available and produces the most advanced images.
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde will create four new world-class operating theatres on the second floor of the new ICE building, physically integrating into the existing neurosciences building.
Surgeon Mr David Koppel, lead clinician for the regional maxillofacial unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, worked closely with the architects in designing the layout of the new theatre space.
He said: “The new development will create a fantastic improvement in the space and layout of the theatres and recovery area for the patients we operate on.
“The closer that researchers and clinicians work together the greater the opportunities for collaborative research that is of direct relevance to clinical care.”
The design will make the patient journey as seamless, as possible and enhance efficient nursing and surgical practice.
Planners have built on the experience of the new theatre complexes in the adult and children’s hospitals and we are looking forward to the installation of ultra clean theatres.
with the most advanced laminar flow technologies, airflow management devices designed to reduce the infection rate.
Meanwhile the massive external makeover of the neurosciences building will see the building grid and cladding panels arranged into “slices” to replicate the images taken by an MRI scanner. A brand new entrance and cafe area is being created too.
Work has also started on a new purpose built day treatment unit (ward 68) for patients receiving treatment for ongoing neurological conditions. This new facility will be situated on the ground floor of the building, incorporated into the development of a new improved front entrance scheme. This development will provide excellent purpose built facilities and support timely provision of treatment to patients with long term neurological conditions.
Taken together these developments by NHSGGC and the University of Glasgow represent an investment of more than 40million between 2013 and 2017.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is already operational
- Ward 66 is already operational following its redesign and redevelopment
- The new purpose built day treatment unit is due to be complete by Autumn 2016
- The external makeover and new entrance are due to be complete by Autumn 2016
- The ICE building is expected to be complete by December 2016.