Construction of Neuroscience Research Centre gets underway
27/04/2018
This article is more than five years old.
Work to build the UK's first dedicated centre for research into the prevention of stroke and dementia has now started on the John Radcliffe Hospital site.
A groundbreaking event to celebrate this significant milestone was held on Thursday 26 April 2018.
Construction of the University of Oxford's new neuroscience research facility on the John Radcliffe site is expected to be completed in spring 2019.
The new building, supported by generous funding from the Wolfson Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, will provide purpose-built facilities for the Wolfson Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (CPSD), as well as research space for the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN).
The work of the Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia has already led to major changes in clinical practice, such as promoting emergency treatment after minor warning events to improve stroke prevention. The expansion of the centre will ensure that research continues to lead to benefits for patients.
Researchers at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging are working to understand how the brain works, investigating the underlying causes of conditions such as dementia, psychiatric disorders and vascular disease. The new building will house a number of research groups, such as those investigating how the brain recovers after damage and how the brain processes pain.
Dr Tony Berendt, Medical Director of Oxford University Hospitals, said: "We are extremely pleased that the UK's first dedicated centre for stroke and dementia research will be at the John Radcliffe.
"Staff from Oxford University Hospitals and the University of Oxford already work closely together to translate the results of groundbreaking research into improved patient care. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership as a result of this exciting new project."
Professor Peter Rothwell, Head of the Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, added: "The new facility gives us an opportunity to bring our teams together, enabling us to do the sort of work that can have life-changing outcomes for patients."
The building has been designed by Oxford-based architects FJMT and will be built by main contractor SDC. The building façade is made up of four main materials including glass, terracotta and wood, as well as bronze panelling. Natural ventilation is provided through vertical ventilation slats that are incorporated into the window design.
Pictured: Dr Tony Berendt (Medical Director, Oxford University Hospitals - centre), Geoff Salt (Vice Chairman, Oxford University Hospitals - right) with Professor Peter Rothwell (Head of the Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, University of Oxford - left), Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg (Director of the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford - second right) and a representative from SDC Builders.
Photo: Phil Mynott / SDC Builders