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Training & research centre for child health

02-Feb-2006

River Island Paediatric Academic Centre for Paediatric & Child Health in association with Imperial College

 

Press Release

 

Training & research centre for child health specialists opens

 

Doctors and medical students, who care for children in the community and in hospitals across NW London, now have a dedicated centre for training and research.  The building of the centre is the start of a 10-year programme in the Harrow and Brent boroughs that aims to prevent poor child health in the area.

 

The new £300,000 facility will be known as the River Island Paediatric Academic Centre for Paediatric & Child Health in association with Imperial College.  It is the only dedicated centre of its type in NW London and is located at Northwick Park Hospital.  It includes research rooms, a training room for up to 25 people and a library where child health specialists can study.

 

River Island Clothing Company, the Lewis Family Charitable Trust and the NW London Hospitals NHS Trust have funded the centre.

 

The centre will help current doctors to conduct research that will benefit the local area and UK as a whole.  It will also play a key role in student training at Imperial College and the NW London Hospitals Trust.

 

Dr Mitch Blair, Consultant Reader in Paediatrics & Child Health, said:-

 

“This centre aims to bring together professionals from a variety of backgrounds to help tackle key child health issues in Harrow, Brent and beyond.  These include obesity, accidents and inequalities in access to medical care for disadvantaged families.

 

“Interestingly, 30% of children in our area use complementary medicine.  We have much to learn about the safety and effectiveness of these and what influences parents to give these treatments to their children.

 

“Our overall aim is to bring together the best minds in the field of child health and use the best science available to improve the health of children.”

 

Julian Lewis, Director of River Island said:  "River Island is always keen to support projects in the local community, and we have a tradition of supporting research into childhood illness.  We are delighted to see the centre opening today and wish it continued success for the future”

 

ENDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo and interview opportunity

Reporters and photographers are invited to attend the official opening of the centre from 11:15-11:45 on 3rd February 2006 at Northwick Park Hospital.  There will be opportunities for photographs and short interviews with Dr Mitch Blair, Julian Lewis and other members of the team.  Please come to the reception desk at the Chaucer Unit, Level 3, Main Ward Block, Northwick Park Hospital and ask for Mark Herbert, Head of Communications.

 

 

Notes to Editors:-

  1. The staff at the Academic Centre include a liaison health visitor, two research fellows, two teaching fellows and to Specialist Registrar doctors.
  2. Research is being undertaken in collaboration with Thames Valley University, Keele University, the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and the Child Health Service Research Unit, Los Angeles.

 

 

Contacts: 

Mark Herbert, Head of Communications, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust.  020 8869 2421.