Postgraduate Medical Institute launched

Image of Mike Thorne, David Humber, David Haye and Bill Rammell

The new Postgraduate Medical Institute for regional medical staff based at Anglia Ruskin University's Chelmsford Rivermead Campus, has been showcased and officially launched by Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education and Harlow MP, Bill Rammell.

Newly crowned Cruiserweight World Boxing Champion David Haye was at the launch to acknowledge the work that the country's leading medical professionals do to help top sportsmen and women in their careers.

The Institute, led by medical academics in partnership with 11 NHS Trusts from around the East of England, will provide a regional nucleus for postgraduate education and training, alongside medical research and development. It will build on existing medical research activity at the University, create a focus for investment from the NHS and the private sector, provide opportunities for training and R&D partnerships with industry and allow NHS Trusts to develop their senior staff locally.

Speaking about the potential of the Institute, Consultant Anaethetist and Project Leader for the Postgraduate Medical Institute Dr Aimen Hassani said:

"I believe that this Institute for doctors and other healthcare professionals will bring a significant leap into the future of Medical and Health Sciences advances in Essex. In addition, it will stimulate collaborative work between our partner NHS Trusts, Anglia Ruskin University, private healthcare providers and the industry.

"We intend to promote a new multi-disciplinary and multi-centre approach to education, research and development, that will bring better outcomes to health improvement programmes for our nation.

"Clearly in Essex we compete for staff with London-based Trusts where the Research and Development infrastructure is so much better developed. This Institute will help us to attract high calibre UK consultants to the region.

"Sports and health run hand-in-hand and we are grateful to David Haye who joined up for the opening to endorse this important work. David's energy, dedication and perseverance took him through his amazing achievements and his qualities are an inspiration to us all."

The recent changes in medical training and education make it important that multiple routes exist for doctors to specialise and achieve promotion. The new Institute will support postgraduate training in medicine by organising relevant courses, symposiums and conferences for a wide range of professional activities. The Institute will be housed in existing facilities initially, but will ultimately have its own dedicated building.

In a competitive academic environment, the Institute intends to develop a targeted approach to its research programmes. These include research into Bioengineering, Cancer Control, Mental Health and Optometry.

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