Public Open Evening highlights research expansion plans for campus

It is already a world-leader in clinical care and research – and now there are plans for the Cambridge Biomedical campus to literally build on this reputation, as more than 150 people found out when they attended the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre Open Evening.

Called simply “Growing the Cambridge Biomedical campus”, the evening featured presentations from Cambridge University Hospitals CEO Roland Sinker, who talked about the importance of research in healthcare, and from leading researchers involved in the new infrastructure.

Cambridge BRC Director Professor John Bradley opened the evening, together with patient representative Valerie Berkson.

Valerie sits on the Cambridge University Hospitals Patient & Public Involvement Panel and she talked about its vital role in research – “Most individuals do want to help” – and, with her husband and co-panel member Michael, spent time talking with people interested in getting involved in research after the event.

Presentations from consultants and researchers who are leading the new developments described how the new buildings will help to accelerate important research into heart and lung conditions, paediatrics, cancer and inflammation, infection and immunotherapeutics.

One audience member said: “It’s hugely exciting to find out direct from the researchers how these developments are helping to drive research – and listening to a patient representative [Valerie] right at the start brought all that science alive and relevant to me.”

Another member of the public, who had travelled with his wife from nearby village Meldreth, said: “We enjoyed the event very much and felt that it gave us a good ‘overview’ of all the exciting things which are going on at the site.”

The evening featured a lay-friendly poster exhibition, where the audience was asked to vote for their favourite research poster, and information stands from organisations including ACTIVE, the children’s group based at Addenbrooke’s, Cambridge Children’s, NIHR BioResource and the Patient-Led Research Hub.

• The NIHR Cambridge BRC Public Open Evening took place on 20 November 2019
• Find out more about our Patient and Public Involvement Panel at Cambridge University Hospitals