Annex 7: Summary of the Committee's Visit
to Newcastle University and the General Hospital, Newcastle
5th July 2000
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY AND THE GENERAL HOSPITAL,
NEWCASTLE
The University of Newcastle was founded in 1963 and
now has a student population of 13,000. Medicine has however been
taught on the site since 1832. The new medical school was opened
in 1984. The Medical School accounts for 60% of the university's
entire research income. Cancer is one of the main areas of interest
along with ageing, neuroscience, molecular cell biology and genetics.
Funding for cancer research comes from a variety of sources including
the Cancer Research Campaign, The Wellcome Trust, the Leukaemia
Research Fund, the NHS, local charities and industry. The centre
has particular strengths in paediatric oncology, haematology and
translational oncology.
Newcastle University Medical School, Framlington
Place
Meetings with Professor Hilary Calvert, Professor
of Medical Oncology, Professor Peter Baylis Dean of Medicine,
Professor David Neal, Professor of Surgery, Professor Herbie Newell,
Professor of Cancer Therapeutics, Dr J Lunec, Gillespie Reader
in Molecular Oncology and Assistant Director of the Cancer Research
Unit, Dr Roger J Griffin, Medical Chemist and Pharmacist, Professor
A Pearson, Professor of Cancer Therapeutics, Dr A Hall, Reader
in Experimental Paediatric Oncology, Professor John Burn, Professor
of Clinical Medicine, Dr Jo Bentley, Dr Julie Irving, Senior Research
Associate, Dr G Veal, Dr R Gilbertson, Clinical Scientist, Dr
S Gokul, Clinical Research Fellow.
Topics discussed:
The faculty of medicine at Newcastle University and
its research activities; the organisation of cancer research Newcastle;
translational research; the research assessment exercise; research
strengths and weaknesses; the Northern Cancer Research Institute;
laboratory molecular genetics; clinical molecular genetics; drug
development; paediatric oncology and haematology; the value of
advances in genetics; experiences of young post-doctoral scientists
and clinical fellows.
The Committee also toured the Cancer Research
Unit
Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, Newcastle
General Hospital
Meetings with Mr Leonard Fenwick, Chief Executive
Officer of the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Trevor
Roberts, Clinical Director of the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment,
Dr Mark Verrill, Senior Lecturer in Medical Oncology, Fiona Chapman,
Research Sister, Madeleine Proctor, Research Sister.
Topics discussed:
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust; clinical
cancer research in Newcastle; integrating clinical research and
routine care; translational research; barriers to clinical research;
sarcoma studies and clinical trials; the rôle and experiences
of research nurses; patient experiences.
The Committee also toured the Clinical Facilities,
and spoke with research sisters and patients participating in
clinical trials.
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