Glasgow hospital laboratory get cash injection to boost its global status

Glasgow Royal Infirmary has received a £15 million cash injection which could see its laboratory services compete with the best in the world.

The completion of the new £90 million laboratory at the Southern General marked a significant step forward for the hospital, but after a further £15 million cash injection, health chiefs at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) are touting the lab as one of the leading facilities in the world.

Improvements to the facility in Scotland mean that the lab will be home to some of the most up-to-date laboratory equipment in the world. The University Tower building at the Royal Infirmary will host the new centre, after the health board injected significant funds to pay for state-of-the-art equipment.

Aileen MacLennan, Director of Diagnostics at NHSGGC, said: "This is another significant investment in laboratory medicine which will see NHSGGC with some of the most modern up-to-date laboratory facilities in the world.

"Laboratory services in Glasgow and Clyde are undergoing significant improvements in both accommodation facilities and equipment replacement."

She continued to say that the refurbishment will drive the next phase in delivering modern, state-of-the-art lab facilities for the people in the area. Their Managed Service Contract also ensures that equipment is refreshed when needed, which could set a good precedent for research facilities in other areas of the country.

Having a system whereby equipment is consistently evaluated and renewed when necessary ensures medical and technical staff within the laboratories meet the changing and future needs of their patients.

The laboratories at the hospital help with patient diagnosis, with the revamps getting underway earlier this year. The refurbishment is scheduled for completion by mid 2013. Many people will see such revamps as an indication of hospital's commitment to new and innovative solutions, which are becoming more diverse and innovative by the day.

Posted by Neil Clark