Neurosciences unit to 'speed up' treatment

The centre will include a teaching facility

A new £11.7m medical centre of excellence for the North West has been opened by Health Minister Hazel Blears.

The neurosciences centre at Hope Hospital in Salford will offer expertise in the treatment and diagnosis of conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Motor Neurone Disease.

The centre will enable all neurology and neurosurgery in-patient services in Greater Manchester to be brought together under one roof.

The building will also house a research centre, new wards, an operating theatre and rehabilitation unit.

'Vital service'

Hazel Blears, the health minister and MP for Salford, said the new unit has been developed with the needs of patients in mind.

She believes it will also mean a reduction in waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.

Hazel Blears: "Patient-friendly centre"

Mrs Blears said: "This is the type of development we would like to see throughout the NHS.

"It brings together related expertise in a single unit whilst still retaining the ability to reach out to the various commununities who desperately need this type of care and support.

"It will contribute to a reduction in waiting times for investigation and treatment and it will speed up access to vital services."

The centre at Hope Hospital comprises a purpose-built block - the Humphrey Booth Building - which houses the clinical research centre.

Also within the building are a programmed investigation unit, an acute intensive neuro-rehabilitation unit, neuro physioolgy unity, and a magnetic resonance imager.

Within refurbished and modernised accommodation at the hospital there is an extended internsive care and high dependency unit, an additional operating theatre and three acute neroscience wards.