of

hospital build

The setting up of a research centre in combination with a district hospital opens up many exciting possibilities. On the one hand patients in the locality will have the benefits of of the latest advances in medical science and immediate to the special treatment that

facilities for diagnosis and to

are available in the Research Centre.

on the other hand, research workers will
be brought into direct contact with the
of medicine. To this and

everyday problems of
many staff of the Centre will also carry
patient care, both

responsibility for
for routine

in the provision of diagnostic services and
in the specialist in- and out-patient
services. Similarly research facilities
(equipment, space and technical help)
will be available to those of the hospital
staff who wish to pursue a research

project. project.

It is the overall aim of the Centre to bring together in one place a wide range of skills not only in the various b s brances of medicine, but also in related basic sciences such as biochemistry, physics and mathematics, all I working together the solution of particular problems the solution of of particular problems relating to patented that many of its care. The basic structure

of the CRC is of the C.R C. is so

towards

research divisions have overlapping interests, but with each constituting a different approach and providing its own particular skills. By close collaboration of the various disciplines, access is facilitated to a wide basis of knowledge relating to

Clinical Research Centre

recent discoveries in medicine and allied fields, thus helping further to ensure the highest standards of diagnosis and treatment.

This close relationship between clinicians and scientists is further reflected in the fact that, in addition to the main laboratory blocks of the Centre's Research Institute. laboratory space is em is embodied in

further

clinical departments throughout the hospital.

Thus, for instance, metabolic facilities are built adjacent to those wards where diet and measurement of chemical reactions of the body are of prime importance, while physical assessment laboratories are planned in the department of rehabilitation. These clinical research facilities are supported in the Research Institute by study of the origins and causes of the development of disease.

An I.C.L. 1903 computer will greatly assist in the problems associated with research and the correlation of data arising f from patient reco records. Particular areas of research will include disorders of metabolism, immunology, microbiology (including problems of verology hospital infection) cell pathology and anaesthesia. New methods of diagnosis in

and

clinical chemistry and in the use of radio-isotopes will be developed and epidemiological studies will be undertaken. Future research developments are planned by the Council for the establishment of Divisions working on poetics and problems in reproductive physiology, genetics and psychiatry and a joint Council Department of Health and Social Security Epidemiology Research Unit is being set up on the

Northwick Park site where it will be able

to develop close links with the Centre. The facilities of the Centre will, like those of the hospital, be built up in three stages.

The Centre will consist of an Institute comprising three wings (one wing becoming available in each of the three of modular stages) of laboratory accommodation, with special environment rooms, seminar rooms and offices.

work shops and stores, and, in one wing.

a central vibration free, fully

air conditioned structure which houses such special equipment as the computer and

the electronmicroscopes.

2 Laboratories in Ward Areas

Runs of laboratories and embedded Laboratones are on every floor of the North Ward Block (General Wards), and wherever hospital beds have been provided for the Clinical Research Centre in special departments such as maternity and psychiatry.

3 Lecture theatres

A clinical lecture theatre to seat 150 people will be used for daily and weekly clinical meetings. A larger lecture theatre to seat 400 will be built in Stage 3 in the library building and will be used for larger meetings and for such purposes as international symposia

4. Radiochemical Laboratory and

Radiescanning Unit

The radiochemical laboratory will provide substances labelled with radio isotopes both for research and for routine diagnostic use in the hospital, while the radioscanning unit will provide a low radiation background chamber for measurement of low intensity radiation in metabolic work.

scientific and medical staff of the whole hospital and general practitioners in the area. The library building will also incorporate the large lecture hall mentioned above

G. M. Bull who will also head his own division of metabolic studies Dr D.A.J Tyrrell the Centres deputy director will supervise the work of the Division of Communicable Diseases