MSPs visit Imaging Centre of Excellence
Published: 6 February 2017
The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences welcomed senior Scottish Government Ministers Shona Robison MSP and Michael Russell MSP to the new Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) last week.
The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences welcomed senior Scottish Government Ministers Shona Robison MSP and Michael Russell MSP to the new Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) last week.
Ms Robison, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Health, and Mr Russell, the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, first met with Vice Principal and Head of College, Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, and were then given a tour of ICE by Dr Carol Clugston, the Chief Operating Officer of MVLS.
"First for Scotland"
ICE, which is still under construction, is due to formally open in March and houses the UK’s first 7 Tesla scanner situated in a clinical setting. The MSPs were given a tour of the state of the art facilities in ICE, as well as being shown the control room of the 7T scanner.
The MSPs were also there to discuss the potential difficulties posed by Brexit and the implications for the NHS and EU funding for NHS and research collaborations.
Professor Dominiczak said: “ICE and the 7 Tesla scanner are both very important for the city of Glasgow, the NHS, Scotland and the UK. The scanner – an important ‘first’ for Scotland – wouldn’t have been possible without £2.3m of European Union funding.
“Beyond the benefits of EU funding, the ability to form collaborations and networks across Europe will be a key part to the long-term success of this project. Also key, will be bringing skilled staff from the EU to work on such advanced technology.”
Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, Michael Russell, said: “The contribution of EU and EEA nationals to these services cannot be overestimated. Doctors, nurses and care workers from across Europe help to staff our GP surgeries, our hospitals and our care homes. We must as a priority protect their right to live and work in this country, as well as our ability to attract their successors in years to come.
“As we have also seen today, EU research funding has helped to attract some of the best and brightest from the continent - meaning our patients get access to some of the world’s most pioneering treatments.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The uncertainty surrounding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU presents us with many challenges for planning the future NHS and social care workforce. It adds to what is already a complex picture as our health and social care services transform to meet the needs of an increasingly elderly population with more complex, long-term conditions.”
First published: 6 February 2017
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