£30 million for National Sports Medicine Centre

The Government is to spend £30 million developing the country’s first ever National Sports and Exercise Medicine Centre of Excellence, promoting sport and exercise medicine which will help more people to be more active, treat injuries caused by exercise and conditions associated with lack of exercise.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley made the announcement on 9th January, while visitingLoughborough University,  one of the network partners.

The establishment of the Centre, which will also fulfil one of the Government’s key 2012 Games bid commitments as a lasting legacy of the Games, is seen as a truly national approach with other partnership hubs developing at universities, hospitals and NHS Trusts in Nottingham, Leicester, Sheffield and London.

Andrew Lansley said: “Hosting the Olympics is a once in a life-time opportunity for Britain and it provides a great opportunity for the NHS too. I am pleased to commit £30 million funding for the first ever National Sport and Exercise Medicine Centre of Excellence for England. This will not only help get more people active but it will keep them active too.

“Being fit and active offers huge health benefit. It is crucial we encourage as many people as possible to be more active more often. We also need to help people recover from injuries quickly so they can stay active. The Centre will share research findings and best practice with the entire NHS so that the whole country benefits. This will ensure we achieve a real Olympic legacy in the health service.”